Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

Home Front for Nov. 18:

BOOST GARDEN HEALTH ... Theresa Lyngso, president of Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc., Redwood City, for 20 years and an active brewer of actively aerated compost tea, will teach a class on the "Soil Foodweb" on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Common Ground Education Center, 559 College Ave., Palo Alto. The class deals with increasing and nurturing aerobic organisms that make fertile soil. Cost is $31. Information: Master Gardeners at 408-282-3105, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or mastergardeners.org

CARE FOR YOUR LAWN ... UC Master Gardeners will offer a free talk called "All About Lawns: Sustainable Lawn Care & Options for Reducing or Replacing Your Lawn" on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View. The talk will cover how to use less water, fertilizer and herbicides and possible replacements, such as groundcovers and native grasses that mimic the look of a lawn, waterwise landscapes, edible gardens and meadows.

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS ... Filoli, at 86 Canada Road, Woodside, opens its doors for day and evening holiday shopping boutique and luncheons, Nov. 26 to Dec. 3. Tickets, which sell out quickly, must be purchased in advance at www.filoli.org.

FESTIVE CENTERPIECE ... Professional florist Susan Groves will offer a class on making a Thanksgiving centerpiece using autumnal flowers on Tuesday, Nov. 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at her studio in downtown Palo Alto. Meet at Deborah's Palm, 555 Lytton Ave., Palo Alto, and walk to the nearby studio. Cost is $65, which includes materials, vase and instruction. Information: 650-328-0658 or infullbloom@mindspring.com

FALL COLOR ... in Palo Alto can be viewed on Greenwood Avenue, between Newell Road and Hutchinson Avenue, during November when the Ginkgo bilobas turn from green to yellow-gold.