Plenty of garden fun for a mild Memorial Day weekend
This Memorial Day weekend may be one of the more pleasant ones we’ve had recently, at least weather-wise, with highs expected in the low 80s. That makes this weekend the perfect time to check out gardening events and other outdoor activities in the greater Sacramento area.
— The Sacramento County Fair, Cal Expo, Sacramento. If the State Fair strikes you as too big or impersonal, this is the fair for you, running today through Memorial Day. The theme this year is “Cowboy Boots and Fair Roots.” The fair will feature concerts, carnival rides, food, displays, competitions, pig races, demolition derby and more. Check out the “Farm Garden in a Wheelbarrow” program for kids grades K-6.
Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday (Memorial Day). Tickets at the gate are $12 general, $8 seniors, $10 ages 12-16, and free for 11 and under. Information and tickets here.
— “Garden Like a Farmer: Beat the Heat! Preparing Your Garden for the Sacramento Summer,” 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Soil Born Farms, American River Ranch, 2140 Chase Drive, Rancho Cordova. Cost is $30. Instructor Tyler Stowers will talk about the skills needed to keep those tomatoes and other summer crops from succumbing to the tough Sacramento weather. Information and registration here.
— “Controlling Weeds,” El Dorado County master gardeners, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 24, Bethell-Delfino Ag Building, 311 Fair Lane, Placerville. This workshop will focus on weeds commonly found in the home landscape, their culture, and control strategies. Highly aggressive non-native weeds that have been introduced into El Dorado County also will be covered. Registration requested but not required. Register here. The master gardeners’ Sherwood Demonstration Garden also is available for visits, 9 a.m. to noon both Friday and Saturday, May 23-24, at Folsom Lake College’s El Dorado Center, 6699 Campus Drive in Placerville. $2 parking fee. Information here.
— “Garden Gab,” Placer County master gardeners, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24, Inspiration Garden, Roseville Utility Exploration Center, 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville. Stop by the Inspiration Garden at UEC to ask gardening questions or show samples of garden or pest problems. A range of local gardening pros from City of Roseville’s Water Efficiency team to Placer County master gardeners will be present answer all inquiries. Free; no registration required.
