FALL GARDEN FESTIVAL- NOV.10: HOW TO BE A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GARDENER

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"Ask the Experts" and the most diverse water-wise plant sale in the County

November 8, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) -- Considering fall and winter as, “prime gardening months” would be scoffed at in many parts of the United States, but not in San Diego.

With its Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild-to-cool wet winters, and warm-to-hot dry summers, the Fall Garden Festival, held at the Water Conservation Garden from 10am-4pm on Saturday, November 10, 2012, helps San Diegans make the most of the region’s fall-to-spring planting season…and save water while they do it!

 

The festival, now in its eighth year, boasts the most diverse drought-tolerant plant sale in San Diego County. Retailers and growers will sell shrubs, trees, perennials, succulents and more, making the event one-stop shopping for fall and winter gardening essentials. Plants that get into the ground during our mild fall planting season will reward gardeners with strong root systems that allow the plants to put on their best show in the spring.



A potpourri of gardening know-how at the festival includes, “Ask the Experts” booths- open throughout the day. Experts on making compost, growing cool season veggies, drought-tolerant gardening and arbor care will be part of the gardening know-how on hand as resources for the public.  As an added bonus, visitors can schedule a private, 20-minute landscape design consultation with a design professional at the event for just $15. Visitors can bring photos of their current landscape and get feedback on how to create a landscape of their dreams. Reservations for this service are highly recommended! Call: 619-660-0614, x10.



A guest speaker lineup will include a native plant talk by Greg Rubin of California's Own Native Landscape Design, a blueberry growing workshop led by April Bright of the San Diego Edible Garden Society, and Don Axe of Valley View Farm will give a class on making chevre and ricotta cheeses using goat's milk.



Live entertainment, animal encounters, and fun- especially for kids, are another highlight of the family-friendly Fall Garden Festival. At 11am, Ms. Smarty-Plants™, The Garden’s educational mascot, will entertain and educate with her Magic of Water Show on the amphitheater stage. Valley View Farm will host a petting zoo with Flemish giant rabbits, goats, and chickens, and will be showing their organically-raised turkeys, which visitors can place orders for in anticipation of Thanksgiving celebrations. Crazy hat making, eco-crafts, and face painting will ensure that all ages have a great time at the festival.



New this year, the Rancho San Diego Farmer's Market located near The Garden, will feature organic produce and specialty food booths that will delight the most discerning foodies. Plus, visitors can pick up holiday gifts in The Garden's gift shop and from the artisans and crafters selling unique and unusual items throughout the day.



Admission to the Fall Garden Festival is $5, with Garden members and children 12 years and younger getting in free. Workshops and all activities throughout the day are included with admission (unless otherwise specified) and parking is free. A complete program is available at www.thegarden.org.



About the Water Conservation Garden

Opened in 1999, the Garden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting water conservation in the landscape, and the sustainable use of related natural resources, through excellent exhibits and programs that educate and inspire the public. The Garden is supported in part by member water agencies, garden partnerships and private donations. For more information, please visit www.thegarden.org or call 619-660-0614 x10.


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