Placer County master gardeners host Spring Open House in Loomis

Rain or shine, master gardeners will be out in force Saturday to celebrate spring – and their Demonstration Garden.

On Saturday, April 11, the Placer County master gardeners will host their Spring Open House at their Loomis Demonstration Garden, outside the Loomis Library. Set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., a plant sale, gardening demonstrations and kids activities will be part of the fun. Admission is free and gardeners of all ages are welcome. (Bring an umbrella, just in case.)

“Shake off the winter chill and join us for a free, family-friendly Open House at our living classroom,” say the master gardeners. “Meander through themed landscapes – from water-wise natives and pollinator habitats to our lush edible gardens. See sustainability in action at our rain garden and compost demos, then visit our onsite plant sale to bring that inspiration home. Whether you’re a ‘green thumb’ or a beginner, it’s the perfect day to explore, learn, and grow.”

The Open House includes two special events, both indoors:

– Inside the Loomis Library at 10:30 a.m., the master gardeners will present “Turn Straw Into Gold,” a workshop devoted to straw-bale gardening.

“Growing your veggies and flowers in easily ‘conditioned’ straw bales means NO SOIL, NO DIGGING, NO BENDING, ONLY A TROWEL NEEDED,” say the master gardeners. “Your used straw bales make great compost.”

No advanced registration is needed for this free one-hour workshop.

– Across the street at the South Placer Fire House, learn about how to make your home and garden more fire resilient at the Fire-Smart Expo (also indoors). This free event runs from 10 a.m. to noon.

Loomis Library is located at 6050 Library Road, Loomis.

Details and directions: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-placer-county