Got garden questions? Come to Open Garden
Spring is in full force – and so are local master gardeners.
On Saturday, May 10, master gardeners at demonstration gardens in three counties – Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado – will host Open Gardens, an opportunity for the public to learn by watching. Admission is free and no advance registration is necessary. Just show up – with questions and possibly some samples of puzzling plants or pests. (Photos are good, too.)
From 9 a.m. to noon, the Sacramento County master gardeners will be busy at the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center, which is now in full bloom. Bring your questions, samples of your problem plants or bagged insects to the “Ask the Master Gardeners” information table. Get one-on-one advice based on the most recent research-based sustainable practices. Learn about berries and grapes. Smell some fragrant herbs.
Special mini-talks are also scheduled at various times and locations:
* 9:45 a.m. in the Lower Arbor: “Rooted for Success – How to Propagate Your Favorite Herbs.”
* 10:15 a.m. in the Kiwi Arbor: “Worm Composting – How to Harvest the Castings.”
* 10:45 a.m. in the WEL Round Patio: “May Beauties in the Water Efficient Landscape – Planting and Maintenance.”
* 11:15 a.m. in the Orchard: “Orchard Irrigation Basics and Demonstration.”
Fair Oaks Horticulture Center is located at 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, in Fair Oaks Park.
Details and directions: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-sacramento-county/event/may-open-garden-fohc
On Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon, the Placer County master gardeners will be hosting Open Garden at their new Loomis Demonstration Garden at the Loomis Library. The Loomis Demonstration Garden is a living classroom for the Placer County community that emphasizes sustainable gardening, integrated pest management and backyard food production.
Like their Sacramento counterparts, the Placer County master gardeners will answer questions and offer garden advice.
Loomis Library is located at 6050 Library Road, Loomis.
Details and directions: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-placer-county
El Dorado County master gardeners will host Open Garden days not only on Saturday, but on Friday, May 9, too. Their Sherwood Demonstration Garden offers the public a hands-on, interactive experience about research-based, sustainable gardening practices specific to foothill communities. Sherwood includes 16 individual demonstration gardens, ranging from the Shade Garden to the Rock Garden. The gardens will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday. Admission is free; parking, $2.
On Saturday at 9 a.m., the El Dorado County master gardeners also will host a free workshop at Sherwood: “Landscape Grasses.”
“Are you looking for plants that are almost care-free? Virtually deer-proof and pest-free? Join Master Gardeners to learn about Ornamental Grasses and how to incorporate them into a landscape,” say the master gardeners. “Most grasses need very little care and, in fact, thrive on neglect, so they are perfect for even novice gardeners. You will learn which grasses grow best in our area, which ones tolerate shade or sun and how to care for them.”
Participants will see examples at Sherwood, too. Advance registration is not required, but requested. Sign up here: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-el-dorado-county/event/central-sierra-landscape-grasses-edc-mg
Sherwood Demonstration Garden is located at 6699 Campus Drive, Placerville.
Details and directions: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-el-dorado-county
