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Classes, plant sales and a swap on Saturday's packed calendar

Free beekeeping intro in Elk Grove; seed exchange in Folsom

Many plants thrive in containers, which gives a gardener with limited space more options. Learn about container gardening Saturday in Lincoln.

Many plants thrive in containers, which gives a gardener with limited space more options. Learn about container gardening Saturday in Lincoln. Kathy Morrison

With so many gardening events going on this month, it's hard to keep track of them all. April's final weekend includes some excellent -- and free -- garden education opportunities that may have slipped under the radar. There are also two large plant sales and a seed-and-plant swap, too. All these events happen Saturday, April 27. Take a look:

-- Beekeeping 101, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Elk Grove Community Garden, 10025 Hampton Oak Drive, Elk Grove. Beekeeper John Phair will cover all things bees, including a hive inspection and starting a bee colony using a nucleus hive. RSVP at (916) 818-9108, but walk-ins also are welcome. Suggested donation: canned goods for the Elk Grove Food Bank. Information: www.facebook.com/ElkGroveCommunityGarden

-- Container gardening, 2 to 3 p.m., taught by the Placer County master gardeners at the Twelve Bridges Library, 485 Twelve Bridges Drive, Lincoln. A valuable class for anyone with limited outdoor space, or who wants to garden on a patio or balcony. "This workshop will cover choosing the right container, plant selection tips, transplanting and more," they say.  "Learn how to be successful growing ornamental plants, as well as fruit and vegetables." No registration required. Information: https://pcmg.ucanr.edu/?calitem=585134

-- Plant & Seed Exchange, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Folsom Library, 411 Stafford St., Folsom. "Please bring at least one pest-free plant, plant clippings or seed bundle to exchange with others," organizers say. "By bringing one item to swap, you will receive an entry to win a $25 Green Acres gift card." Information: https://www.folsom.ca.us/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/5373/ 

-- Ornamentals plant sale, 8 a.m. to noon, second of the El Dorado County master gardeners' spring plant sales. Some edibles not sold at the April 13 sale also will be available. Sherwood Demonstration Garden,  6699 Campus Drive, Placerville. Plants range from ground covers to trees, shrubs and succulents. Inventory accessible here: https://mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/

-- UC Davis Arboretum Plant Sale, members only 9 to 10 a.m., public 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the third of the spring sales at the arboretum's Teaching Nursery, and the last regular one before the clearance sale May 11. Inventory can be accessed on this page: https://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/plant-sales. To join Friends of the Arboretum and get perks in addition to member-only events, go to this site or join at the gate on sale date. 1046 Garrod Drive, UC Davis campus. Bring a wagon or cart if possible. Follow the signs to parking.

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Garden Checklist for week of May 5

Survey your garden after the May 4 rainstorm. Heavy rain and gusty winds can break the neck of large flowers such as roses. Also:

* Keep an eye on new transplants or seedlings; they could take a pounding from the rain.

* Watch out for powdery mildew. Warmth following moist conditions can cause this fungal disease to “bloom,” too. If you see a leaf that looks like it’s dusted with powdered sugar, snip it off.

* After the storm, start setting out tomato transplants, but wait on the peppers and eggplants (they want warmer nights). Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Trim dead flowers but not leaves from spring-flowering bulbs such as daffodils and tulips. Those leaves gather energy to create next year's flowers. Also, give the bulbs a fertilizer boost after bloom.

* Pinch chrysanthemums back to 12 inches for fall flowers. Cut old stems to the ground.

* Mulch around plants to conserve moisture and control weeds.

* From seed, plant beans, beets, cantaloupes, carrots, corn, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, radishes and squash.

* Plant onion sets.

* In the flower garden, plant seeds for asters, cosmos, celosia, marigolds, salvia, sunflowers and zinnias. Transplant petunias, zinnias, geraniums and other summer bloomers.

* Plant perennials and dahlia tubers for summer bloom.

* Don’t wait; plant summer bulbs, such as gladiolus and tuberous begonias.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

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