Saturday's the day: Celebrate gardening (virtually)

Gorgeous grapes grace the cover of the 2022 Gardening Guide and Calendar, which goes on sale Saturday.

When the UCCE Sacramento County master gardeners decided last winter that the 2021 Harvest Day would be virtual, just as it was in 2020, it seemed like an overabundance of caution. But with the recent revival of mask mandates and other coronavirus protocols, Harvest Day fortunately can be celebrated safely this Saturday, from the comfort of our homes or gardens.

Get a jump on events by watching master gardener Teri VanAirsdale in the 5-minute 2021 Welcome video ; she covers the full schedule.

The three keynote speakers' presentations also are online already, on the Sac County master gardeners' YouTube channel. Plus, speakers Fred Hoffman, Greg Gayton and Bill Krycia will answer gardeners' questions during a live session online Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

Then three webinars are scheduled, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring these master gardeners:

* Quentyn Young explores growing new and unusual edibles.

* Lori Ann Asmus provides inspiration for greening the indoor environment with houseplants.

* Ruth Ostroff shares her know-how and enthusiasm for the hardy, drought-tolerant bearded iris.

To receive the link to participate in these online events, register for free here: sacmg.ucanr.edu

All of these online events will be recorded for viewing later, as well.

Saturday also marks the release of the 2022 Sacramento Gardening Guide and Calendar, a popular fundraiser each year for the master gardeners. It's still bargain-priced at $10, including sales tax. It can be ordered online here starting Saturday . (Postage is extra if you order it mailed.) Local retailers typically carry it, too, in the fall. And in-person master gardener events, including the Sept. 11 Open Garden, will have it for sale.

Each month includes information on the featured fruit, plus garden tips for the month, and a suggested less-common fruit to grow.

The theme for this year is "Fruit: Something Old, Something New," and each calendar month features a beautiful fruit photograph. This is more than just a calendar, though: It's packed with garden advice and planting charts, plus information specific to growing fruit as common as strawberries and as exotic as cherimoya.

Master gardeners Pat Turner and Angela Parker filmed a short preview of the Gardening Guide; view it here . (Full disclosure: In my other identity as a master gardener, I helped with the preparation of this year's Gardening Guide. Fun!)