Home and Garden Briefs for March 28 issue

By PAM KRAGEN - Staff Writer | Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:29 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO HOME DESIGN & LANDSCAPE EXPO: The county's largest home and landscape event is coming up April 4-6 at the San Diego Convention Center. More than 350 exhibitors will be on hand. Features include a presentation by Brooks Utley of HGTV's "Designed to Sell," a model home, a Better Homes & Gardens design show, designer rooms, guest speakers, a green products showcase, gardening tips from experts, a patio furniture/outdoor living show, a children's room design competition and much more. Show hours are noon to 8 p.m. April 4; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 5; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6 at the Convention Center on Harbor Drive in San Diego. Admission is $10 adults, free for military with ID and children 12 and under. Call (800) 765-3976 or www.cahomeshows.com.

HERB FESTIVAL & TOMATOMANIA: Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas hosts its 11th annual Herb Festival Spring Plant Sale and Tomatomania from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event includes guided tours, sale of plants and herbs, information booths, expert advice, a book-signing by children's author Janell Cannon ("Stellaluna") and presentation by Austin cookbook author Lucinda Hutson ("The Herb Garden Cookbook" and "Tequila! Cooking With the Spirit of Mexico"). Hourly classes and workshops include topics on herb gardening, home design, organic growing, cooking with native plants and tomato gardening as well as herb crafts for children. Tickets are $10 for adults; $7 for seniors, military and students; and $5 for children ages 3 to 12 (plus $1 parking). The gardens are at 230 Quail Gardens Road in Encinitas. Call (760) 436-3036.

ORGANIC PLANT SALE: The Mission San Luis Rey hosts an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, featuring a sale of organically grown heirloom and other tomatoes, peppers, herbs and flowering plants. Friar and horticulturalist James Lockman will answer questions on planting a spring garden and will lead a behind-the-scenes tour at 10 a.m., followed by a ladybug release in the rose garden. The mission is at 4050 Mission Ave., Oceanside. Free admission. Call (760) 757-3651.

BORREGO SPRINGS GARDEN TOUR: Four desert gardens are on display for the annual tour, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Pick up your self-guided tour map at the Borrego Desert Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs. Tickets are $14 to $18. Call (760) 767-3098.

LATE-BREAKING GARDEN TOURS: Two local garden tours didn't make it into last week's roundup of spring home and garden tours in time. Here's the details:

-- Encinitas Garden Festival: The third annual tour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3, will feature 20 private gardens in Olivenhain valley. Double-decker buses will offer transportation and a dozen vendors will sell items at a garden marketplace. A portion of proceeds will benefit local landscaping projects through the Cosatal Community Foundation. Tickets are $21 for adults and $7 for children 10 and under. Reserve to (760) 753-8615 or www.encinitasgardenfestival.org.

-- 2008 Country Garden Tour of Fallbrook: The Fallbrook branch of the American Association of University Women hosts its 13th annual tour, this year themed "Pools, Patios and More," from noon to 4 p.m. May 10. This year's tour ncludes six to seven gardens including a vineyard with a wine cave, pools with waterfalls and a docent-led tour of the Los Jilgueros Preserve. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the tour. Buy your maps at the Palomares House, 1815 Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook. To order in advance, call (760) 451-9532.

GARDEN VOLS NEEDED: The Vista Garden Club will install a Blue Star Memorial marker at the Memorial Grove in Brengle Terrace Park, Vista, on Memorial Day. The Vista Garden Club is looking for volunteers and donations of goods and services or financial support to help prepare the Memorial Grove before the ceremony on May 26. Help is needed for grading, planting, weeding, raking, spreading mulch, etc. Planting and help days are scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. Community Service hours may be earned. Call (760) 630-0383.

ARBOR DAY CHILDREN'S CRAFT: Michael's Arts and Crafts stores host a children's craft class in honor of Arbor Day. Children can design their own clay pot with supplied art and craft materials from 10 a.m. to noon April 5 at all Michael's stores. Fee is $5. Call your local Michael's for details.

FAIRY HOUSE TOURS: The Marston House Museum in Old Town San Diego hosts a tour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6 of tiny fairy cottages made by local schoolchildren hidden throughout the historical home's gardens. The event will include a reading of fairy stories by author Tracy Kane and tours of the Marston House's ground floor. Marston House is at 3525 Seventh Ave., San Diego. Tickets are $10 (in advance) for one parent and child combination. On event day, admission is $15. Call (619) 232-6203, Ext. 129 for reservations.

PLUMERIA SALE: The Southern California Plumeria Society hosts its annual Cuttings Sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5 and 6 at Casa Del Prado, Room 101, in Balboa Park. Cuttings will be for sale by members; cash or checks only, please. Members will be available to answer questions on plumeria horticulture. Call (619) 461-5942 or visit www.socalplumeriasociety.com.

"ART ALIVE": San Diego Museum of Art hosts its 27th annual three-day floral showcase from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 11-13, where floral designers will compete for prizes by designing floral arrangements to complement paintings in the museum's collection. The event will include design demonstrations, classes, lectures, a luncheon and gala. This year's special guest is Jeff Leatham, who will demonstrate at 10 a.m. April 11 and teach a master class at 9 a.m. April 12. Nan Sterman, a local award-winning garden writer and horticulturist, will speak on French-inspired gardening at 2 p.m. April 13. Exhibit admission is $12 for adults, $5 for youth ages 6 to 17. Tickets for the lectures, classes, lunch and gala are extra. Call (619) 696-1999 or visit www.sdmart.org/artalive.html.

FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS FAIR: Barratt American homebuilders offers a free workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 12 for renters hoping to enter the housing market. Topics include finding down-payment assistance, federal grant programs, energy efficiency and more. The event will be at Barratt's Capistrano community in Temecula Valley. Visit www.barratt.com.

VISTA APPRAISAL FAIR: Need an expert opinion on a family heirloom or antique furniture item? Friends of the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe and the Gloria E. McClellan Senior Center will co-host an Appraisal Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13 at the senior center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive in Vista. Certified antique appraisers will offer consultations for $10 an item (limit 3 items per person). Proceeds will benefit the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe. Call (760) 639-6164.

HOSP GROVE CENTENNIAL: Help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Carlsbad's Hosp eucalyptus grove with a community party and clean-up event from 8:30 to 11 a.m. April 19. Volunteers are needed to prune trees and brush, and pick up litter (wear closed-toe shoes, gloves and a hat, and bring a shovel). First 200 volunteers will receive a free commemorative "Beautify the Grove" T-shirt. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the grove, south of Marron Road at Monroe Street in Carlsbad. Call (760) 434-2929.

EASTER LILY DISPLAY: Balboa Park's Botanical Building is filled with 300 fragrant lilies through April 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (closed Thursdays); Balboa Park, San Diego; balboapark.org.

POWAY FLOWER SHOW: The Poway Valley Garden Club announces its 30th annual Standard Flower Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 19 at Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Road, Poway. Call (858) 784-3128. Admission free to the public.

PALOMAR CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY PLANT SHOW: Members are encouraged to enter cactuses and succulents in seven categories at the society's biggest annual event at noon April 26 at the Joslyn Senior Center, 210 E. Park Ave. in Escondido. This year's judges are Society Vice President Tom DeMerritt, a 30-year succulent grower who has traveled to South America and Madagascar to see native species, and Kelly Griffin of Rancho Soledad Nursery, an expert on agaves and aloes. Call (760) 741-7553.

MOWERS FOR MARINES: Lawn-Boy presents its annual Mowers for Military Families contest, where local residents can nominate the family of a local Marine or military service member now serving in the Middle East to receive a free Lawn-Boy Insight mower. Fifteen military families will be chosen. To nominate a family, submit an entry of 150 words or less explaining why the family needs a new mower and include a photo of the family and/or their old lawnmower. Deadline is May 14. Entry forms and details are online at www.lawn-boy.com/militaryfamilies.

MOWING DOWN POLLUTION: The South Coast Air Quality Management District's annual "Mow Down Pollition gives Riverside County residents a chance to trade in their old, gasoline-fueled lawn mowers for cleaner, battery-operated electric models. For $100, Riverside County residents can purchase a Neuton cordless electric mower (valued at $400) in exchange for their working, gas-powered model. The next trade-in date is 8 a.m. to noon May 31 at California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave., in Riverside. To exchange a mower, residents must register in advance at www.aqmd.gov or by calling (888) 425-6247.

LAVENDER FIELDS SPRING SEASON KICKS OFF: Lavender Fields, the organic lavender farm at 12460 Keys Creek Road in Valley Center, opens its spring season with a series of public events from May 3 to June 29. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in May and June, the farm will host events such as sachet, wreath and basket crafting classes, tea parties, live music and more. Visit www.thelavenderfields.com.

Meetings

Del Mar Rose Society: Mary Frank, an award-winning floral designer and American Rose Society judge, presents "Creating Beautiful Arrangements with Roses from Your Garden" at 6:30 p.m. today at Powerhouse Community Center, 1658 Coast Blvd. in Del Mar. The meeting will begin after a half-hour reception with refreshments. E-mail Linda Gluckman at lgluckman@hughes.net.

Vista Garden Club: Monthly meeting will include a light lunch at noon April 4, followed by a presentation by Bob "Bamboo Bob" Dimattia, speaking about the uses of bamboo. The meeting is at the McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista. Call (760) 758-4120.

San Diego Epiphyllum Society: Meets at 7:30 p.m. April 9 in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado Room at Balboa Park. Pre-meeting class at 7 p.m. for instruction and group discussion. Jill Peck will show slides of past Mother's Day flower shows. Sales table of cuttings and rooted plants available, raffle table, and refreshments. Call (760) 749-5695.

Ramona Garden Club: Jim Bathgate of the California Rare Fruit Growers will speak about what kinds of rare fruits grow in Ramona at the club's monthly meeting; noon April 9; Ramona Woman's Club, 524 Main St., Ramona; (760) 789-8774 or www.ramonagardenclub.com.

American Begonia Society: The Mabel Corwin Branch hosts Eleanor Calkins, who will speak on pruning begonias, and Chuck Ades of Ades Gish Nurseries, offering a slide show on various show begonias. Bring your plants for show; 1:30 p.m. April 13; Encinitas Community Center, Room 118, 1140 Oakcrest Drive, Encinitas. Call (760) 230-1073.

San Diego Horticultural Society: Meets at 6 p.m. April 14 at the Surfside Race Place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Jimmy Durante Boulevard, Del Mar. Duane Johnson will discuss biodiesel fuels and other plant-derived products. Visit www.sdhortsoc.org.

San Diego Epiphyllum Society: Meets at 7:30 p.m. May 11 in Room 101 of the Casa del Prado Room at Balboa Park. Pre-meeting class is at 7 p.m. for instruction and group discussion. Guest speaker will be Eddie Huey of Epi Forums. Sales table of cuttings and rooted plants available, raffle table, and refreshments. Call (760) 749-5695.

San Diego Horticultural Society: Meets May 12 for a special evening with author Ken Druse who will discuss research and discoveries in "Making More Plants: Adventures in Horticulture!" Tickets are $15 for SDHS members and $20 for non-members, for sale at the door or order online at www.sdhortsoc.org. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. and the evening starts at 7 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Event Center, 1895 Camino Del Rio South, San Diego. Visit www.sdhortsoc.org.

Classes

"SEEDS OF CHANGE": Environmental planners, architects, biologists, designers and other experts will gather today through Saturday at the Joan B. Kroc Center, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, for this conference dedicated to sustainable living. Topics include xeriscape gardening, going green at home, sustainable home design, nature-inspired design and more. Register at y-conference.com.

RARE FRUIT GROWING CLASSES: The San Diego chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers Inc. hosts this series of free classes on growing unusual and rare fruit in San Diego County, including jujube, capulin cherry, raisin tree, pitahaya, longan, jaboticaba, tropical guava, passionfruit, wax jambu and more. Classes will be at 6 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of each month in Room 104, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego. Reserve to (619) 261-3610:

April 23: How to select and plant rare fruit trees for your garden.

May 28: How to plant rare fruit trees.

June 25: How to care for rare fruit trees.

July 23: Monitoring your rare fruit trees (watering, fertilizer, soil conditioning and soil pH)

Aug. 27: Maintaining your rare fruit trees.

Sept. 24: How to naturally protect your rare fruit trees from pests

Oct. 22: What to do with rare fruits, an introduction to eating, cooking and simply enjoying your rare fruits.

Nov. 19: How to propagate rare fruit trees.

EVERGREEN NURSERY WORKSHOPS: Evergreen Nurseries in Rancho Bernardo (12460 Highland Valley Road), Carmel Valley (13650 Carmel Valley Road) and Oceanside (3231 Oceanside Blvd.) present one-hour garden care workshops at 2 p.m. Saturdays. Free unless otherwise noted. Visit www.evergreennursery.com/workshops.htm. The schedule:

Saturday: Choosing and caring for roses

April 12: Landscaping steps in the appropriate order

April 26: Groundcover and erosion control

May 10: Making color bowls for Mother's Day ($10 materials fee)

May 31: Choosing and caring for fruit trees

"GARDENING WITH CLASS": Teachers and school administrators interested in creating an on-campus garden are invited to the 10th annual San Diego Regional School Garden and Nutrition Conference on April 19 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The all-day event includes workshops and an optional tour of the Solana Vista School garden. Registration is $40. Register to (619) 562-0096 by April 11.

FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING: The city of Escondido-Utilities and other water agencies in North County host a free, three-hour "firescape" workshop for residential customers at six North County locations this month and next. The workshop will describe high-risk properties and landscapes, show how to make your home more accessible to a firefighter in an emergency, how to minimize the chance of damage in the event of a wildfire, and how to identify combustible plants. Douglas Kent, author of "Firescaping: Creating Fire-Resistant Landscapes, Gardens, and Properties in California's Diverse Environments," will speak. Reservations requested:

6-9 p.m. Wednesday: Poway City Hall, City Council Chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive, (858) 668-4415

9 a.m.-noon April 5: Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane, (760) 789-1330

9 a.m.-noon April 12: Fallbrook Public Utility District, 990 E. Mission Road, (760) 728-1125, Ext. 1127.

AT UC RIVERSIDE: UC Riverside Extension service offers Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens, 6 to 8 p.m. March 27, and 9 a.m. to noon March 29 at 1200 University Ave., Riverside. Fee: $49/$39 multiple enrollment discount. Contact (951) 827-5804 or e-mail sciences@ucx.ucr.edu.

LANDSCAPING CLASSES: Poway residents and landscape professionals are invited to register for a series of four free California-friendly landscaping classes, offered by the city of Poway and the Metropolitan Water District. Classes will be offered in English and Spanish at Templar's Hall at Old Poway Park, 14135 Midland Road, Poway. For homeowners, an introductory class will be from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 26, followed by classes at the same hours on May 6, 8, 13 and 15. For professionals, English classes will be from 8-11:30 a.m. March 25 and April 1, 8 and 15; Spanish classes will be from 8-11:30 a.m. March 26 and April 2, 9 and 16. Register to (858) 668-4415 or kcrane@ci.poway.ca.us; visit www.poway.org.

ROSE CARE WORKSHOP: The California Coastal Rose Society presents its April "Gloves on Learning" workshop at the Magee Rose Garden in Carlsbad. The topic of the workshop at 9 a.m. April 5 will be spraying roses for disease and pest control, along with the pros and cons of the available products and what type of spray equipment to use. Admission to the workshop, at Beech Avenue and Garfield Street in Carlsbad, is free. For information, call (760) 804-0875.

DOCENT TRAINING: Always wanted to become a docent at Quail Botanical Gardens, but weren't sure how? Learn more through these three-hour training classes. Register to (760) 436-3036, Ext. 206 or e-mail info@qbgardens.org:

10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 9: California Natives and Firescapes

9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. May 14: Mediterranean Climates

CANTERBURY CLASSES: Canterbury Gardens offers these classes from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $30 for one class or $100 for four, plus materials fee. Bring glue gun, scissors, wire cutters, old kitchen knife and notebook. Call (760) 746-1400 or visit www.canterburygardens.com:

Tuesday and March 27: Spring Mark Roberts Fairy Swag.

Tuesday and April 3: Orchid Centerpiece.

April 8 and 10: Botanical Centerpiece.

April 15 and 17: European Fruit & Flower Arrangement.

At Walter Andersen nurseries: These free classes are offered at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays at 12755 Danielson Court, Poway. Call (858) 513-4900 or visit www.walterandersen.com:

Saturday: Orchids

Send Home & Garden items to Features Editor Pam Kragen, North County Times, 933 W. San Marcos Blvd., Building A, San Marcos, CA, 92078, fax to (760) 731-0908, or e-mail to home@nctimes.com.

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