Learn about beekeeping, fall gardening and more

Beat the heat and learn about gardening during seminars offered at the Tri-County Home & Garden Show, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 18-20, at Roseville’s Roebbelen Center.

Spread over all three days, 15 home and garden seminars will be presented by local experts. The seminars are included with admission to the Tri-County show, which targets residents in Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties.

For gardeners and nature lovers, some seminars stand out.

Designed for bee lovers of all ages, “Uncle Jer’s Bee Show!” highlights all three days – 1 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Uncle Jer – Jerry Johnson of Elk Grove – started tending hives as a kid on his family’s farm. Now he keeps bees for fun in suburbia.

“Interested in bee-keeping? Learn about the fascinating society of honey bees from a long time bee-keeper,” say the organizers. “Uncle Jer will discuss the secret life of pollinators, the benefits of honey and the ins and outs of raising bees for honey. There will be lots of Q&A time about becoming a backyard beekeeper!”

At noon Saturday, a favorite flower for hanging baskets or shady spots takes the spotlight. “For the Love of Fuchsias” will be presented by John Furnas, Donna Niemoller and Nora Haley, all members of the American Fuchsia Society. They’ll offer tips on how to grow beautiful fuchsias in the greater Sacramento area and make the most of warm shade.

Master gardeners will offer timely programs on Saturday and Sunday.

Thinking about ditching your tired, thirsty turf? At 11 a.m. Saturday, master gardener Julie Long will present “Lawn Replacement – From Blah to Beautiful.” Long says, “Learn the best way to get rid of your high maintenance lawn and create a pollinator paradise!”

At 2 p.m. Saturday, master gardener Susan Bosworth offers tips for making the most of late summer and autumn opportunities during “Fall in Love with Gardening.” “It may still be sweltering outside, but cooler weather is coming,” she says in her seminar description. “There is still lots to do in the garden before the rains start. Learn what needs to get cut back, how to clean your tools and more.”

After focusing on fall, set your sights on spring. At 11 a.m. Sunday, join master gardeners Sandi Fitzpatrick and Cynthia Tran for “Bulbs for Spring Color: Fall is bulb-planting season!” They describe their talk as “a time for gardeners to project themselves into the future – specifically next spring. Anyone who wants clutches of tulips, clumps of hyacinths or dozens of daffodils in their spring garden must plan and plant in fall.”