January 17, 2017. Walnut Creek. The Gardens at Heather Farm and The Garden Conservancy will host an afternoon “Meet the Authors” event on Friday, March 10th, as San Francisco-based landscape designers Stefani Bittner and Alethea Harampolis present their new book Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants set for release next month on Ten Speed Press.

This practical, inspirational, and seasonal guide will help make any garden more productive and enjoyable with a variety of projects--organic pantry staples, fragrances, floral arrangements, beverages, cocktails, beauty products, and more--using unexpected and often common garden plants. Enjoy a lively presentation on how to turn your backyard garden into a treasure-trove of useful plants, and watch Stefani and Alethea showcase the making of some of their favorite practical botanical transformations.Turn tumeric root into a natural dye and calamintha into lip balm. Make anise hyssop into a refreshing iced tea and turn apricots into a facial mask. Crabapple branches can be used to create stunning floral arrangements, oregano flowers to infuse vinegar, and edible chrysanthemum to liven up a salad.

Details: March 10th at 1:00 p.m.Camellia Room @ The Gardens at Heather Farm, 30-minute lecture, followed by project demonstrations, book-signing and reception. $5.00 for Members; $15.00 General Public, Reservations at www.gardenshf.org or call (925) 947-1678.