Fall Festival Fun
By Ardis Neilsen UCCE Master Gardener
Have you ever wanted to create a succulent mini-garden? Do you have plant questions? Want to learn how to safely manage garden pests?
At the 2nd Annual Fall Festival these are just a few of the educational opportunities available sponsored by the UCCE Master Gardener Program of San Luis Obispo County. The free event is scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Garden of the Seven Sisters, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo.
Education will be the focus of multiple exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all ages. Visitors can obtain “how to” advice on designing grey-water systems, caring for garden tools, managing plant health and other topics.
Master gardeners will answer questions and lead on-site garden tours of their 15-plot demonstration garden. Explore the kitchen garden, native plant garden, succulent and cactus garden, curb appeal garden, fruit and nut orchard, fire safe landscape garden, wildlife habitat garden, vertical edibles garden, scent garden, and more. Over 70 varieties of fruits and vegetables are grown on site.
Norm Smith, Ph.D., a 30-year veteran entomologist and current Master Gardener, will answer questions about the bugs in your garden. Check out his fascinating insect display.
Visit the UCCE auditorium, where the UCCE Master Food Preservers will demonstrate how to ferment, can and dry fruit and vegetables. Enjoy free samples of fig jam, pear preserves and dried apples.
A hands-on learning opportunity is available to those who want to learn how to pot succulents - you even can take home your creation. Kids can enjoy free face painting by a professional artist and other art activities.
Exhibitors include Central Coast Beekeepers Alliance, Cal Fire, California Rare Fruit Growers, Garden Farms Nursery, the SLO County Agriculture Department and 4H.
Plants, fruit trees, bird houses, painted gourds, iris rhizomes, honey, wreaths, and succulent mini-gardens will be for sale. The Beach Walk BBQ food truck, will be on the grounds.
If you are interested in becoming a master gardener, please submit an application by September 27. Applications are posted at ucanr.edu /sites/mgslo or call 805-781-5939 for more information.