Proven Winners Pack Trials and Open House!

Hello Growers!

At the invitation of Bruce and Sharon Asakawa and John Bagnasco of Garden Compass media, www.gardencompass.com, the UCCE Certified Master Gardeners of Orange County, made the drive to Bonsall, CA, for the Proven Winners Pack Trials and Open House, on Saturday, September 6, 2008, http://www.provenwinners.com/. It was a spectacular morning, clear blue skies, warm, with an occasional breeze. I'd never been to the Proven Winners facility, and so I was very curious to see what they do there. In addition to the comprehensive and well-labeled demonstration gardens, and plant sale areas, there were speakers on various topics, including how a plant becomes a Proven Winner selection, and Designing with Succulents with Debra Lee Baldwin, garden writer, http://www.debraleebaldwin.com/.

I am normally not a big buyer at these kinds of events. But, I fell victim to temptation and picked up a number of agaves from the Proven Winners Retro succulent collection for a frontyard landscape project in Las Vegas. I've already transplanted the offsets from these plants, and will cultivate them over the next 11-12 months.

If you have a chance to attend this event, I suggest you accept the invitation and go!