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Yolo, Solano farms celebrate Lavender Weekend



Lavender's the word -- and the scent -- of the weekend on the Solano-Yolo
Lavender Trail. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)
See, smell and taste this popular herb along the Lavender Trail


Can you smell it? This special event is perfect for Pollinators Week.

Yolo and Solano counties will celebrate one of the world's most popular herbs (and a favorite plant of bees) with Lavender Weekend, June 22 and 23.

Six major lavender farms and growers will show off lavender in full bloom as well as demonstrate the many ways to use this fragrant medicinal and culinary herb.

These farms are located along the Solano-Yolo Lavender Trail, where this Mediterranean native feels most at home.

Among the participating farms will be Morningsun Herb Farm and Soul Food Farm in Vacaville, Araceli Farms in Dixon, Il Fiorello and Girl on the Hill in Fairfield and Patchwork Farm in Capay. Hours vary at each location. Admission is free.

Besides growing tons of lavender flowers, these farms will host a wide range of lavender-related activities such as wreath making and other crafts. Enjoy lavender-spiked lemonade, lavender ale and lavender gelato as well as other treats and beverages. Some locations will offer lavender-inspired lunches.

The farms also will host cooking and crafting demonstrations as well as offer tips on how to grow and harvest this low-water, sun-loving herb. Learn how lavender perfume is distilled as well as take home lavender-scented soaps and candles.

Most stops will offer fresh cut lavender flowers or live plants, too. Take home a plant to grow your own.

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Dig In: Garden Checklist

For week of June 4:

Because of the comfortable weather, it’s not too late to set out tomato and pepper seedlings as well as squash and melon plants. They’ll appreciate this not-too-hot weather. Just remember to water.

* From seed, plant corn, pumpkins, radishes, melons, squash and sunflowers.

* Plant basil to go with your tomatoes.

* Transplant summer annuals such as petunias, marigolds and zinnias.

* It’s also a good time to transplant perennial flowers including astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia, salvia and verbena.

* Let the grass grow longer. Set the mower blades high to reduce stress on your lawn during summer heat. To cut down on evaporation, water your lawn deeply during the wee hours of the morning, between 2 and 8 a.m.

* Tie up vines and stake tall plants such as gladiolus and lilies. That gives their heavy flowers some support.

* Dig and divide crowded bulbs after the tops have died down.

* Feed summer flowers with a slow-release fertilizer.

* Mulch, mulch, mulch! This “blanket” keeps moisture in the soil longer and helps your plants cope during hot weather.

* Thin grapes on the vine for bigger, better clusters later this summer.

* Cut back fruit-bearing canes on berries.

* Feed camellias, azaleas and other acid-loving plants.

* Trim off dead flowers from rose bushes to keep them blooming through the summer. Roses also benefit from deep watering and feeding now. A top dressing of aged compost will keep them happy. It feeds as well as keeps roots moist.

* Pinch back chrysanthemums for bushier plants with many more flowers in September.

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