RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Greg Gayton of Green Acres Nursery & Supply returned as a popular guest speaker at the River Valley Garden Club’s Jan. 27 meeting, delivering an hour-long, question-driven talk that ranged from camellias and fertilizer to deer pressure, fog-related diseases and the challenges of growing plants in Rancho Murieta’s notoriously poor soil.

Before the evening’s featured presentation, the club paused to recognize a community member through its Penny Pines program, presenting a memorial certificate to the late John Davis, of Rancho Murieta Hardware.

Gayton was introduced by Club Vice President Margaret Watson Hopkins, who said his enthusiasm and generosity are what keep members eager for his return.

“He loves to share his expertise and his love of plants,” Watson Hopkins said. “He makes everybody else want to just get out and start planting stuff.”

A certified nursery professional, Gayton has worked for Green Acres for 47 years, including 31 years as the manager of the Jackson Road store, helping Rancho Murieta residents since the community’s early development. (Green Acres bought Matsuda’s retail and wholesale nursery operations in 2008 and 2014.)

Now part of the company’s marketing and education team, he hosts Green Acres’ gardening podcast, answers online plant questions and regularly speaks to garden clubs throughout Northern California.

Early in his talk, Gayton challenged how gardeners think about soil. 

“Dirt is what’s in the corner that you clean up with your vacuum,” he said. “Soil is living.”

He acknowledged that Rancho Murieta’s native soil presents difficulties but said it can be improved.

“Your soil does not have a good reputation,” he told the group, drawing laughter.

Gayton emphasized organic gardening practices, explaining that synthetic fertilizers can damage beneficial soil organisms. He described mycorrhizal fungi as underground partners that help plants absorb nutrients and water, strengthening root systems and improving drought tolerance.

“When you fertilize, the most important part of the plant isn’t what you see,” he said. “It’s the root system.”

Throughout the evening, Gayton handed out plants, organic fertilizers and Green Acres gift cards to members who asked questions. Among the plants he brought were camellias, a dwarf blackberry suited for containers, and an outdoor bromeliad commonly known as Queen’s Tears.

Much of the discussion focused on camellias, which Gayton described as well-adapted to Sacramento’s Mediterranean climate. He explained the difference between Camellia japonica, which blooms from winter into spring, and Camellia sasanqua, which flowers earlier in fall and early winter.

“The only time you prune a camellia is after it finishes blooming,” Gayton said. “If you cut it any other time, you’re cutting off next year’s flowers.”

He encouraged thinning dense shrubs for air circulation and said camellias can also be trained flat against walls or fences. “You can espalier any camellia,” he said. “Just give it morning sun and afternoon shade.”

Members asked about deer, a persistent challenge in Rancho Murieta. Gayton said there is no such thing as a truly deer-proof plant. 

“If deer are hungry, they’re going to eat anything,” he said, adding that deer behavior varies widely by region.

Weather also factored into the discussion. Gayton said prolonged winter fog can contribute to fungal diseases, particularly for roses and camellias. “Fog helps spores spread,” he said. “We’re going to see more disease problems when we have heavy fog.”

One member raised concerns about roses affected by black spot. Gayton advised focusing on overall plant health rather than relying on chemical treatments. 

“Black spot isn’t like powdery mildew where heat fixes everything,” he said. “The goal is to keep the plant healthy so it pushes out clean, new growth.”

He recommended improving air circulation, ensuring six hours of sunlight, pruning properly and regularly amending soil with organic matter. 

“You can never give Rancho Murieta soil too much organic matter,” Gayton said.

Gayton also cautioned against overwatering established camellias, calling it one of the most common causes of plant failure. “They’re more drought-tolerant than people think,” he said. “Once they’re established, they don’t need that much water.”

Gayton closed by urging gardeners to rethink their reliance on synthetic products and focus on building healthy soil over time. 

“If the one thing I want to let everybody know before I leave is please go to organic fertilizers,” Gayton said. “That’s the main thing.”

He encouraged members to view camellias and other long-lived shrubs not only as ornamental plants, but as part of an ecological landscape that supports birds and beneficial insects. 

“They provide shelter for birds,” Gayton said. “And birds are the ones that eat aphids and other pests. Everything works together.”

Gayton encouraged members to rely on Green Acres staff for hands-on, local expertise rather than generic apps or guesswork. He noted that he personally answers questions through the company’s online “Plant Advice” service, and invited members to call him directly at 916-597-4751.

Earlier in the meeting, Marianna Hashorva, chair of the club’s Penny Pines program, presented a memorial certificate to Julie Davis.

She explained the statewide Penny Pines program allows garden clubs to fund reforestation projects through small donations collected at meetings. Once $68 is raised, the club’s board selects an individual to be honored or remembered. Each donation funds the planting of approximately 300 tree seedlings in California forests damaged by wildfire, and a certificate is issued to mark the dedication.

In this case, the club chose to honor Davis and her late husband, John Davis, the longtime owners of Rancho Murieta Hardware. Hashorva said the certificate recognized both his many kindnesses and ongoing support of the community, as well as Davis’ close connection to the garden club.