It's that time of year! Here are some garden events to add to your March calendar:
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
March 6-8, San Francisco
Check out more than 150,000 varieties of orchids, and shop, at the Pacific Orchid Exposition. (www.orchidsanfrancisco.org or 415/665-2468)
March 14, Palo Alto
Learn how to plant a spring veggie garden from a Santa Clara County Master Gardener at Gamble Garden (www.mastergardeners.org/events/2009/all-about-planting-spring-vegetable-garden)
March 15 till June 1, Ben Lomond
Love Apple Farm tomato seedling sale—Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday till June 1 (or until supplies last). Look for at least 100 different varieties; selection is subject to availability. (growbetterveggies.com)
March 18-22, San Mateo
San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. Display gardens, seminars, and the marketplace will include native plants, edibles, drought-tolerant garden ideas, and other sustainability-related topics and products. (gardenshow.com or 415/771-6909)
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Feb. 27-March 1, Del Mar
"Don't Move--Improve", San Diego Home/Garden Show at the Del Mar Fairground. Includes display gardens, plant marketplace, exhibits, speakers. (www.springhoomegardenshow.com or 858/350-3738)
March 1, San Marino
Bonsai-a-Thon at The Huntington. Exhibits, demonstrations, prize drawings, and bonsai plants and products for sale. (www.huntington.org or 626/405-2100)
March 7-8, Irvine
"Prelude to Spring", UCI Arboretum Winter Bulb Festival. Enjoy the beds of blooming bulbs and the opportunity to buy same. (http://arboretum.bio.uci.edu/ or 949/824-5833)
March 14, El Cajon
Water Smart Plant Fair at The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. Plant vendors, lecturers, design consultations, and more (www.thegarden.org or 619/985-8337).
March 19-22, Fullerton
Monster Tomato and Pepper Sale at Fullerton Arboretum. Over 200 varieties of tomatoes for sale--as well as peppers and chiles--including 'Sunset Red Horizon', an heirloom tomato named for Sunset Magazine. (www.arboretum.fullerton.edu or 714/278-3407)
March 20-22, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, Earl Waren Showgrounds. More than 50 orchid exhibitors plus demonstrations, and orchid-themed art. (www.sborchidshow.com or 805-969-5746)
March 21-22, Encinitas
Herb Festival, Spring Plant Sale, and Tomatomania at Quail Botanical Gardens. Herb-related products, lectures, tas. Hybrid and heirloom tomato seedlings. (www.qbgardens.org or 760/436-3036)
March 21-22, Arcadia
Ikebana International Show and Sale at The Arboretum of Los Angeles County. (www.arboretum.org or 626/821-3222)
March 21-May 17, Saturdays & Sundays, Claremont
Spring Garden Walks at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Enjoy a guided tour through the Garden's wildflower displays and native plants collections. (www.rsabg.org or 909/625-8767)
March 27-29, Encino
Tomato Mania at Tapia Brothers Stand. Nearly 300 varieties of hybrid and heirloom tomatoes for sale. (www.tomatomania.com or 818/905-6155)
—Sharon Cohoon
ROCKIES
March 28-29, Littleton, CO
Colorado Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale. This sale has hundreds of very unusual cacti and succulents, both hardy and non-hardy varieties. Experts are on hand to answer questions. (720-962-9070, http://www.ccss-online.org/)
—Marcia Tatroe
