Attention gardening enthusiasts.

Back by popular demand, the San Carlos Community Garden (SCCG) is thrilled to host plant expert Chuck McClung on March 15 for Grow Tomatoes All Year Long, an education workshop that will teach you everything you need to know about cultivating tomatoes in every season y prepare you to get your tomato garden started now.

Meet the expert: Chuck McClung, The Plant Guy

With a Master’s degree in Botany and years of hands-on gardening experience, Chuck “The Plant Guy” McClung has a passion for teaching plant lovers how to nurture thriving gardens. We asked Chuck a few questions about his upcoming workshop and his work as a garden consultant and here’s what he had to share.

Q: What are some key topics you’ll cover during this workshop?


Chuck: “Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding and delicious crops to grow, but many gardeners struggle with seasonal limitations, pest control, and achieving a consistent harvest. We’ll discuss the best tomato varieties for different seasons, how to extend the growing season, and methods for protecting plants from the cold. We’ll also cover container gardening, pruning techniques, and natural pest control solutions.”

Q: Who would benefit from attending this workshop?


Chuck: “Anyone who loves fresh, homegrown tomatoes! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this workshop is designed to give people the confidence and skills to enjoy a continuous tomato harvest.”

Q: As a gardening and edible landscape consultant, what are you seeing increasing demand for these days?


Chuck: “I find that more people are becoming more interested in plants in general. The most common type of landscaping consultation I provide these days is what a lot of people call a ‘gardening check-up.’ I walk around the client’s home and tell them all the names of all their plants, how to prune certain plants, which plants are sick, etc. Helping others grow their own food is one of my passions, so I am always excited when a client has that particular interest.”

Q: You recently released your second book, A Strawberry is not a Fruit. How is this book different from your previous book, How Orchids Rebloom?


Chuck: “A Strawberry is not a Fruit is a fun collection of short essays on ‘lesser-known perspectives from the world of plants’ and gardening in general. Much of the book contains what I seem to have been saying repeatedly over many years in my work: how to know your plant, the difference between vegetable gardening and landscaping, why orchids fail to rebloom, living soil, etc.”

Q: What is your advice to people who want to start their first summer garden?


Chuck: “When starting any kind of gardening endeavor:
• Local sources of information are best.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and be careful who you ask.
• Proceed with a plan.
• Prefer the highest quality soils, plants, seeds, materials, and tools.”

Event Details: Grow Tomatoes All Year Long

Fecha: Saturday, March 15.
 Hora: 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $10 per person, or gratis with a SCCG Garden Membership.

Register at: sancarloscommunitygarden.com/garden-workshops.

The San Carlos Community Garden is located at 6460 Boulder Lake Ave.