How to Grow a Beautiful Garden This Summer- Workshop at Explore Ecology
Are you wondering how to keep your garden healthy and happy during the summer? How to ensure that your plants thrive in spite of the drought? Oscar Carmona, owner of Healing Grounds Nursery, has spent the last 25 years helping connect people, plants, and the planet. Oscar is teaching a Summertime Gardening Workshop on Saturday, July 18th at Explore Ecology in Downtown Santa Barbara. From 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Oscar will be sharing how he produces beautiful and nutritionally-rich plants year-round.
We caught up with Oscar and asked him a few questions about gardening.
Explore Ecology (EE): Oscar, what are some tips that you would like to share with people about Summertime Gardening?
Oscar Carmona (OC): Although we enjoy year round gardening opportunities here in Santa Barbara, summertime is the best time of year to maintain a garden. An important tip is to know how to water effectively so as not to waste water. Mulch well, at least 3 inches of organic material over the soil surface to keep the moisture in. Feed your plants once a week with a combination of Fish emulsion and Kelp so keep your plants growing well.
EE: Should people keep watering their trees, plants and yards now that we are in a drought?
OC: I think it’s important to be aware of how water is used generally. For example, taking long showers may be more wasteful than taking shorter ones and using some of that saved water to give to your veggie garden. Some trees are suffering at this time due to lack of water. Additionally, at our house we use a five gallon bucket to catch the shower water as it warms up before we step in. This provides water for trees and shrubs that might not otherwise get a drink. Also, most natives can get by with little or no water. And of course lawns are not a very good use of our limited water.
EE: What are some good plants to grow right now?
OC: Green beans, Summer and Winter Squash varieties, Tomatoes, Peppers and Cucumbers are some of the veggies that grow well now.
EE: How do you prepare the soil for planting?
OC: Make sure to add a good amount of compost to the soil before planting. Mineral additives such as rock dust are also a good idea. You only need to prepare the root zone, two feet, for planting. Work the soil evenly and do not step on the newly prepared area as the plants will thrive when they are able to easily grow their roots in open, loose soil.
EE: Why do you grow organically?
OC: Growing organically means avoiding chemical fertilizers and pesticides that kill important beneficial soil micro organisms that are essential to healthy plant growth. It also means feeding the soil with good amount of compost and other essential nutrients so that the soil microbiology and the plants are well nourished. This way the plants will be more resistant to disease and will also contain the highest nutritional content possible.
EE: What can people expect to learn at your workshops?
OC: Workshop attendees will come away with a good understanding of everything they need to know about what to plant now and good gardening strategies to enable them to see a successful and abundant harvest! Workshop attendees will benefit from my 35 plus years of organic gardening and teaching experience here in Santa Barbara. There will also be a large assortment of Healing Grounds plants and compost for sale after the workshop!
The cost of the workshop is $10.00. Get your tickets online at EBrite (click here) or at the door. Explore Ecology is located above the Art From Scrap Creative Reuse Store at 302 East Cota Street in Santa Barbara.
Eva grew up in Berkeley, CA and is a recent graduate of UCSB, where she studied Aquatic Biology and German Language. During her undergrad, Eva worked as an aquarist at UCSB’s Research Experience and Education Facility (the REEF), where she managed the aquarium facility and found a love for science communication and conservation.
Phillip is a recent Westmont College graduate and a proud member of the inaugural class of Environmental Studies students from Westmont. Phillip is excited to be on the Explore Ecology teaching team because he loves to inspire others about nature as his mentors have done for him. 
Ellie Cotter is a recent graduate of UCSB who studied Environmental Studies with a minor in Philosophy. Ellie learned the importance of community based action, spending her years interning and volunteering for local groups, such as Coal Oil Point Reserve and North Campus Open Space. 
Joey is grateful to have grown up with an abundance of nature around him and is happiest in the water or in the sun. From a young age, Joey felt a responsibility to take care of the Earth in return for all the ways she has taken care of him. This led Joey to pursue a degree in Environmental Studies at UCSB where he furthered his knowledge of how different human societies have conceptualized and interacted with the natural world throughout history.
Rachel Palmer
Alyssa grew up on Long Island, New York and spent a lot of her childhood and early adulthood exploring the mountains, meadows, and beaches throughout the East Coast. These formative experiences in nature, along with impactful mentors and coursework in undergraduate and graduate school, inspired her to pursue a career connecting youth with the natural world. From the deciduous forests of New England to the shores of the Big Island of Hawaii, Alyssa has spent over 10 years working with youth of all ages on urban and rural farms, in school gardens, and in beautiful, wild places. Alyssa is passionate about facilitating meaningful experiences for youth that deepen their connections to self, community, and the land and she believes that school gardens are the perfect place to do this. 
Nicole is a mixed media artist and vintage goods specialist who has been managing Art from Scrap since 2020.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
I love coming to work and getting pets from everyone.
Ian Docktor
Emma Serr is an artist and student studying Studio Art at SBCC.
Lydia
Iliana Jacobo is a Garden Educator at three different school sites. Iliana has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in Sustainability and Social Justice and a minor in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University.
Lindsay Johnson
MELISSA BROOKS
Jenny joined Explore Ecology first as an Environmental Educator, then as a Program Coordinator, and most recently moved into the newly created Programs, People & Culture position. Prior to Explore Ecology Jenny worked in science research and consulting, however her passion has always been science education and outreach. Jenny loves all things related to the ocean, especially free diving, and enjoying the beauty and wonder that is the underwater world. Her greatest life passion is traveling, which she hopes to do more of again soon.
Lu’s love of all things Earth began at James Madison University in Virginia, where they got their Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Lu has a Master’s degree in Spatial Ecology- the study of how creatures interact across landscapes- from East Carolina University, where they studied rock pools along a river and the critters that dwell in them.
Luz developed a strong sense of devotion for working with diverse populations after studying Sociology at UCSB. Her background in social work includes case management for various non-profits, experience with trauma informed care, and developing/teaching curriculum for school garden education & art resiliency. 
Sarah is very passionate about being involved in the outdoors, as well as expressing creativity. She grew up in the Bay Area learning to garden with her mother and going hiking, camping, and backpacking with her family regularly. While gardening with her mother, she grew a deep connection with the processes of ecosystems and food production, so Sarah believes it can be incredibly beneficial for kids to get hands-on experience in nature. 
Sadie
Clare
Chloe grew up in nearby Ojai, CA, which helped shape her passion for living a green lifestyle and conserving wildlife. 
Aimee moved to Santa Barbara from Asheville, North Carolina. She grew up visiting her Grandma in Ojai and wanted to take the opportunity to be closer to her. By lucky accident, she has also found that she is in love with beautiful Santa Barbara! Aimee’s background prior to her Garden Educator position was in Animal Agriculture and she had a layman’s interest in keeping a garden. The Central Coast is a completely different ball game as far as growing produce and she has greatly enjoyed the challenge, as well as taking every opportunity to grow and learn with her students. She loves giving students opportunities to grow lots of food that is delicious right off the plant, as well as learning about the entire ecosystem of their school gardens. She hopes her teaching feels student-led and informed. 
Angie was born and raised in Santa Barbara. She studied Psychology at San Diego State and was a social worker in San Francisco for five years before she discovered her love of growing food. Angie learned how to grow vegetables with the Green Urban Lunch Box in Salt Lake City and then moved back to the Bay Area to start farming. 