Harvest Day packed with educational programs

Grab your hat, your water bottle and some sunblock! Harvest Day – the Sacramento area’s largest free gardener gathering – arrives Saturday, Aug. 1.

Held at Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Fair Oaks Park, this special event annually attracts thousands of gardeners, from total newbies to experienced green thumbs. Hosted by the Sacramento County master gardeners, this gardening celebration focuses on education with nonstop speakers, demonstrations and special presentations – all free.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; plan on attending early. The National Weather Service expects Saturday afternoon to reach 102 degrees, but it will stay below 85 degrees before 11 a.m. (One good thing: The Horticulture Center offers plenty of shade.)

Among the highlights are several “mini talks” presented by master gardeners at the Upper and Lower Arbors in the FOHC -- with shade and chairs. These presentations last only 30 minutes, but you’ll have to make some choices; two workshops are scheduled for each time block. Here’s the schedule:

8:45 a.m.: “Some Like It Hot, Some Like It Cold, Some Like ... Backyard Composting”

8:45 a.m.: “Leveling Up Your Gardening for the Birds”

9:30 a.m.: “Pruning Cane Berries: Guidance, Techniques and Tools”

9:30 a.m.: “Tea Party in the Herb Garden: Meet the Stars”

10:15 a.m.: “Fruit Trees in the Orchard: Tried and True and Many Brand New!”

10:15 a.m.: “Basil: Not Just for Pizza”

11 a.m.: “Worm Wrangling 101: Yes You Can!”

11 a.m.: “Joys and Challenges of Growing Berries”

In addition, gardeners of all ages can learn how to make garden origami from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the WEL (Water-Efficient Landscape) garden. Make origami seed packets or paper critters.

In the Herb Garden, get a free lavender sachet, while they last. These are made with lavender grown at the FOHC and in master gardeners' own gardens.

That’s not all! As previously announced, Harvest Day will feature three keynote speakers in a large tent in the parking area outside the FOHC entrance. These presentations are expected to last 45 minutes each, with shaded seating on a first-come basis. Here’s that schedule:

8:30 a.m.: “Growing Food Like You Mean It!” with Matthew Ampersand, finder/founder of Sacramento’s find out farms (a native plant nursery and garden education site) and Community Fruit. He will have advice on growing food year-round.

9:45 a.m.: “Future Friendly Gardening: Grow with Purpose,” with Rachel Davis, a horticulturalist with the UC Davis GATEways Project.

11 a.m.: “Water You Doing?” with Jon Kupkowski, program manager for Beginner Farmer Training at the Center for Land-Based Learning. He will discuss practices for irrigation success and conservation.

Wait, there’s more! Also outside the center's gates will be at least 10 popular vendors selling plants, supplies, garden art and more. More than 30 gardening groups, organizations and event sponsors will offer advice (and often free goodies) at educational tables.

Also, be among the first to buy a copy of the master gardeners’ 2027 Garden Guide & Calendar, with features the theme “All Things Native: The Birds and the Bees and the Flowers and the Trees.” (Price is still $12; cash or check only.)

Plus there’s food; the food truck court will feature Buckhorn Barbecue, River City Snowie (shaved ice), Vegan Circus and Trailer Perk Coffee.

The Fair Oaks Horticulture Center is located at 11549 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks. Parking is free, too. No animals are allowed, except for trained service animals.