Welcome to the Southern California Horticultural Society

PLANT LOVERS SHARINg KNOWLEDGE

On the second Thursday of each month, we invite speakers to present a talk or program about their area of expertise. We offer in-person meetings as well as live-streaming on Zoom. Everyone is welcome! In-person events are usually free for SCHS Members and students with ID; a $5 entry fee is requested for non-members. Zoom webinars are usually free, but registration is required.

Meetings may also include Plant Sales, a Raffle and expert discussion of plants brought in to the Plant Forum. Do you have an interesting plant to share? If you can't bring one in person, send in a photo and requested information on our Plant Forum Page.

For more information about the Society, please see our About SCHS page.

UPCOMING WEBINAR:

Thursday, October 9th, 2025

Click here to register for zoom

Garden Zombies: Bogus Gardening Practices that Will Not Die

This seminar will focus on practices that are commonly recommended for managing garden and landscape management. The dangers of assuming “cause and effect” based on anecdotal observations will be discussed, and we’ll dissect some research articles to show that even scientists can get it wrong.

Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott has a Ph.D. in Horticulture from Oregon State University and is WSU’s Extension Urban Horticulturist and an Emerita Professor in the Department of Horticulture. She holds ISA credentials as a Certified Arborist and TRAQ; additionally, she is an ASCA consulting arborist. Linda conducts research in applied plant and soil sciences, publishing the results in scientific articles and university Extension fact sheets. She is also actively involved in enhancing the scientific literacy of her audiences by teaching them how to assess the credibility of information from print and online sources.

Linda also is the award-winning author of five books and was featured in a video series – The Science of Gardening – produced by The Great Courses. She also is one of the Garden Professors – a group of academic colleagues who educate and entertain through their blog and Facebook pages. Linda’s educational contributions to science-based information have been recognized by such groups as Garden Communicators International, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, and the International Society for Arboriculture.

Download the accompanying handout here: Chalker Scott Garden Zombie myths.pdf

This seminar has been approved for 1 CEU credit by the Western chapter of International Society of Arboriculture (WCISA).   The course code is "WE-25-554 SCHS-garden zombies?  Bogus gardening practices". You must be an active ISA member to be eligible for the CEU. For more information on WCISA's CEU policy, click here.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS FREE WEBINAR

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Upcoming Events:

Thursday, October 9 at 7:30pm
Online Zoom
Linda Chalker-Scott will speak on garden myths.

Thursday, November 13 at 7:30pm
In-person at the Blinn House in Pasadena
Christy Wilhelmi will speak about maximizing edible garden productivity in a small space.

Thursday, December 11 at 7:00pm
In-person at the Canoga Park Women's Club
Annual Holiday Party with panel discussion "Gardening Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started Out"

Visit our Past Meetings page to re-watch previously recorded in-person meetings and webinars, download each meeting write-up, and reference any materials provided by our speakers.

SCHS URGES SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF THE LOS ANGELES FIRES

Dear members and friends of the Southern California Horticultural Society,

It is still really difficult to comprehend the utter devastation brought on by the Eaton and Palisades fires this year. We know of several SCHS members who have lost their homes and this is heartbreaking.

SCHS has donated funds in the past to aid nurseries that have suffered fire damage. However, it is not our policy to support individuals. We made a donation to Direct Relief (https://www.directrelief.org/) to assist their efforts to help everyone affected.

We also urge all of you to help as much as you can. These are resource organizations that are on the ground now helping real people:

Direct Relief
World Central Kitchen
California Community Foundation
California Fire Foundation
Pasadena Humane Society
L.A. Fire Department Foundation
American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles
Center for Disaster Philanthropy

We also ask you to consider giving to GoFundMe accounts, but urge you to be cautious as there are vile people trying to take advantage of this horrible situation. If you are unsure about a GoFundMe account, please reach out through verified contact avenues (direct call, text or email) to friends to make sure that their accounts are legitimate.

Our former President, John Schoustra, is still raising funds to rebuild his nursery that was damaged in the Mountain Fire in November 2024. John's friends at Apricot Lane Farms have put together a GoFundMe account to help John get back on his feet.
https://gofund.me/f1e12c5a

The recovery process will be long and difficult. We all need to help one another; only together will we be able to rebuild our beautiful neighborhoods.

- Laura Bauer, President
Southern California Horticultural Society

• Our Hort Happenings page lists events at local horticultural institutions. 
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• Want to re-watch a previous meeting, plant forum, or event? Visit our YouTube Channel for all available recordings!
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