Welcome summer at master gardeners’ Open Garden Day

Saturday is the first full day of summer, and the weather forecast is a welcome one: An expected high of 80 degrees.

That means ideal conditions in the morning to visit the Fair Oaks Horticulture Center,  where the Sacramento County master gardeners will hold their final Open Garden Day of the first half of 2025.

The Horticulture Center will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon for strolling, asking questions and soaking up garden inspiration. The master gardeners will staff all areas of the FOHC, which includes a vineyard,  orchard, herb garden, berry garden, composting area, vegetable garden, and the Water Efficient Landscape.

In addition, four mini talks are scheduled:

— 9:45 a.m.,  Beat the Heat: Ornamental and Edible Plants

— 10:15 a.m.,  Solarizing a Raised Vegetable Bed

— 10:45 a.m., Summer Fruit Tree Pruning and Fruit Thinning

— 11:15 a.m., Lavender Love:  How to Grow & Care for This Fragrant Favorite

The Fair Oaks Horticulture Center is 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks,  south of Madison Avenue. Admission and parking are free.

The next event at the Horticulture Center will be Harvest Day, on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Speakers, vendors, demonstrations and more are planned for this celebration of Sacramento-area gardening.

For more on Sacramento County master gardener activities, go to https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-sacramento-county