Grover Stock explains the characteristics of permaculture gardening to an enthusiastic group of onlookers at the August 2010 Lake Co Community Co-op Presents event. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Join the Lake County Community Co-op for a tour of Ancient Lake Gardens on Saturday, April 9.

The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

Meet at 10 a.m. at Ancient Lake Gardens, 8993 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. From Four Corners on Highway 29, take Soda Bay Road for about three miles. Park across the road from the farm’s property entrance and meet at the gate of the entrance.

The tour is free and open to co-op members and the public.

Discover all that’s alive and fertile underneath the straw mulch and the sheet-mulch garden beds that were made during a previously held “Healthy Soils” Workshop in December.

Permaculture instructors, Mari and Grover, encourage you to bring your own soil samples as they uncover finished compost mounds and explain the benefits of cover crops, compost tea and “foliar feeding” (a technique of feeding plants by applying liquid food directly to their leaves) for healthy roots and plants.

No-till, early spring seeding of salad greens, onions and braising greens under a low-tunnel hoop house will be demonstrated; and some early spring gifts from the land – carrots, beets, leeks, cauliflower, cabbage, shallots, green onions, sorrel, celery, parsnips and kale – will be harvested.

Following the tour, for all who would like to participate, a film introducing permaculture practices will be shown that will include methods of design, zone planning, trees, soil, climate, aquaculture and more. Bring some of your favorite seeds to exchange with others.

One of the Lake County Community Co-op’s goals is to educate Lake County residents on how to live more healthfully and sustainably by keeping it local and, in this case, learning to become more self-sufficient with your very own ecologically friendly garden.

Don’t miss this chance for an unequaled opportunity to attend this most exciting garden tour set at the foot of beautiful Mount Konocti.

For more information on this event, contact Lori Patotzka at 707-994-1618.

Celebrating over three years in community, the Lake County Community Co-op (LCCC) envisions cultivating an evolving community by nurturing values of social, economic and environmental responsibility. Member input and participation is encouraged for the continued success of its co-creation.

The LCCC supports and enhances the local food system while providing a forum for community activities.

For more information or to become a member of the LCCC, follow the links at http://lakeco-op.org or call 707-993-4270.