Some Upcoming Events

DESERT PLANT SHOW: A display of more than 70 native plants, wildflower walks, classes and free expert advice on gardening with native plants are just part of the Native Plant Show and Sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Borrego Desert Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego. Sponsored by the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, the event includes special displays, solar cooking demonstrations and samplings of mesquite cookies and ocotillo tea. The Native Plant Day heralds the beginning of a full month of gardening and native plant workshops ranging from an exploration of plants used as food and medicines by American Indians, herb growing in containers, composting, and creating a wildlife sanctuary in your yard, ending in a Desert Garden Tour on March 30. Call (760) 767-3098 or see www.abdnha.org.

LOW-WATER CLASS: A Residential Low Water Use Gardening class for San Diego residents is offered from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Rancho Bernardo Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. Learn garden design for homeowners, benefits of using California-friendly plants, sprinkler system basics for homeowners, and introduction to irrigation scheduling. The four-hour course was developed for the residential customer and covers the basics of irrigation systems, watering and fertilizing, basic landscape design and plant identification. Register to (619) 533-4136.

WATER WORKSHOP: San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District and Olivenhain Municipal Water District are offering a free water-efficient landscape workshop from 9 a.m.-noon March 8 at the Encinitas Community Center. Learn about designing and caring for beautiful landscapes that use less water and require less maintenance. Call (760) 633-2650.

FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING: The City of Escondido-Utilities and other water agencies in North County are hosting a free, three-hour "firescape" workshop for residential customers at six locations throughout North County during March and April. 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 and answer questions. Reservations requested:

6-9 p.m. Monday: California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., (760) 839-4076

9 a.m.-noon March 15: San Marcos, Vallecitos Water District, 201 Vallecitos de Oro, (858) 756-5672

6-9 p.m. March 19: Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club, 17025 Avenida de Acacias, (858) 756-5672

6-9 p.m. April 2: 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.

GARDEN TOUR: The Fallbrook Garden Club hosts its fourth annual garden tour from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 5. Vintage cars from the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club will be available for viewing at selected locations. Tickets and maps will be available the day of the tour for $20 or two for $35 at the Fallbrook Historical Society, 260 Rockycrest Road. Proceeds will benefit the Fallbrook Garden Club Scholarship Fund and other community projects. Call (760) 723-3783.

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