Joan Calder, author, horticulturist and farm girl enjoys playing in the dirt. She grew up learning about gardening on a dairy farm in Cato, Wisconsin. Joan earned a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin and in 1997 she returned to school to follow her passion; earning an A.S. degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California.

She has lectured at multiple organizations, including the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden, National Children and Youth Garden Symposium, and Gorham, Maine Garden Club. In addition, Joan presents her talks at nature centers, garden clubs, garden centers, and schools, and has been a guest on several radio shows.

Joan managed the Greenhouse for Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and teaches garden design classes through the Santa Barbara City College Center for Lifelong Learning.

A passion for monarch butterflies–and a burning desire to educate and excite children and adults about these wonders of nature—are what inspired her to write Airplanes in the Garden: Monarch Butterflies Take Flight.

She lives in Santa Barbara, California with her husband John and many caterpillars.

Flora Gardens Nursery, Ojai, CA

Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens

What really is pollination?

Let me show you how these pruners work.