By Cathy Hough, general manager and buyer

You’ll have the opportunity to learn all about the organic goodness of Dr. Earth fertilizers during a free interactive presentation on Saturday, April 7. Our Dr. Earth expert will be at the garden center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to talk informally about the benefits of Dr. Earth products. Bring your questions.

Dr. Earth’s 100% organic fertilizers are made in the U.S. without GMOs, sewage sludge and chicken manure.

(Below) Yellow Jasmine is just one of the beautiful vines we have in stock. Generally, vines can be used on structures such as trellises, gazebos and arbors. Ask Steve, Roger or CJ how you can plant vines on structures or in containers to create privacy and beauty.

Rick (below), a member of our operations team, loads bags of Bumper Crop into a customer’s SUV. Stock up now during our Buy 4 Bags, Get the 5th Bag Free sale. You know you’re going to need more Bumper Crop for your spring and summer planting, so take advantage of this once-a-year offer.

On Saturday, April 21, noted landscape architect, gardener and author Shelley Sparks will give us an inside look at her holistic approach to gardening. Shelley’s goal is to put harmony, healing and beneficial qualities into gardens. Her latest book, Secrets of the Land, “describes ancient practices that help you express your personality in the garden.” We have her book in stock now and it will be available for her to sign on April 21.

• Watch this recent Shelley Sparks video filmed at the Marina Garden Center:
  Using Color in Your Garden for Fame and Good Relations

(Above) You can see the buds growing on our more than 500 roses, which includes climbing roses, hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras and ground covers. With some 50 different rose varieties in stock, we’re sure you’ll find the rose that captures your fancy. Stop in to stroll through our selection of the best quality plants.

(Above) Marina Garden Center has one of the largest container selections in Los Angeles. Stop in to find the size, shape, color you need.

If you’re looking for glazed pottery in decorator colors in all shapes and sizes, stop in Tuesday when a new shipment, the largest one we’ll get all year, arrives. It’s always rewarding to be able to bring the very latest and best designs to our customers, and that’s what this delivery will bring–more of the unusual and hard-to-find glazed pottery we’re known for. On Friday, I had the pleasure of going to my vendor’s operation to personally select the styles, sizes and colors of these pots. And, I have to say, these glazed beauties are going to be just what you want in your garden this spring and summer.

Gardeners of all ages are discovering how striking succulent gardens can be. They’re also waterwise, making them particularly appealing as more people want to conserve the water used in their gardens.

Ask Roger, CJ or Steve to help you create a drought-tolerant garden. You’ll be glad you did.

Local Garden Tour Calendar

Windsor-Square Hancock Park Historical Society Garden Tour and Party–Earth Day, Sun., April 22

12 noon – 6 p.m.

Tickets: $65, online at http://wshphs.org. Self-guided tour is noon-4 p.m., lecture at 3 p.m. and reception with light supper 4-6 p.m. at Getty House. Tour begins at Getty House, 605 South Irving Blvd., Los Angeles, 90005.

Please wear flat shoes and bring a hat.

Sponsored by Paramount Pictures and Hancock Park Homeowners Association, est. 1948.

Venice Garden & Home Tour – Sat., May 5

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets: $60 in advance, $70 day of event. www.venicegardentour.org or call 310-821-1857.

Self-guided walk of some 30 beautiful and avant garde gardens and homes in the Coeur d’Alene neighborhood and on Venice Walk Streets. Start at 804 Broadway at Pleasant View, Venice.

Benefits Neighborhood Youth Association’s Las Doradas Children’s Center, Venice.