15 Gardening Events in Southern California in 2023 – Orange County Register

The New Year’s chill will eventually give way to warmer temperatures as gardeners are out full steam ahead and tools in hand as they plant new plants for the year.
Spring may be the prime time of year for gardening, but for some, the tilling, tilling, sowing, and planting never stops—and there are events for that.
We’ve curated a selection of more than 15 gardening events—including classes, sales, and shows—that Southern California gardeners can look forward to in the new year.
From the garden to the table
From where: Chino Hills Library, 14020 City Center Drive, Chino Hills
When: 10am – 4pm, January 7th
More information: mgsb.ucanr.edu
This event, hosted by the Master Gardeners of the University of California San Bernardino County Cooperative Extension, offers a variety of classes on topics such as growing fruit trees in the western portion of the Inland Empire, caring for a garden during a drought, and garden conservation to produce. Registration for the free event is not required, but those who register will receive take-home products.
Pruning fruit trees – The basics
From where: OC Convention and Convention Center, 88 Fair Drive
When: 10:00-12:00, 14 January
Costs: $6
More information: ocfair.com
This course at the OC Fair and Event Center will teach gardeners how and when to prune stone fruit trees, citrus trees, and avocado trees in Southern California. It is taught by Isabel Barkman, a member of California Rare Fruit Growers, Inc. since 1991 and a former volunteer of the UC Cooperative Extension Orange County Master Gardener Program
rose care
From where: OC Convention and Convention Center, 88 Fair Drive
When: 10:00-12:00, January 21
Costs: $6
More information: ocfair.com
In this course, participants will learn how to properly care for roses; It is led by Bill Brooks, a volunteer with the UC Cooperative Extension Orange County Master Gardener program

Backyard Skills: Introduction to Rain Harvesting
From where: ecology center, 32701 Alipaz Street, San Juan Capistrano
When: 9-11 a.m., January 21
Costs: $30
information: theecologycenter.org
The Ecology Center, an organization that runs a farm, farm stand, and educational courses on sustainability and healthy living, offers classes year-round. One of the first in 2023 will focus on rainwater collection. The class will cover landscape design, installing rain barrels and other water collection methods.
Plants winter sale
From where: Theodore Payne Foundation Retail Nursery, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley
When: January 31 – February 4
The Theodore Payne Foundation, which seeks to educate the public about native plants and their role in Southern California’s ecology, has a nursery of hundreds of native plant varieties. This sale focuses on seasonal winter varieties, and gardeners get discounts on Theodore Payne Foundation plants, seeds, and equipment.
From Garden to Table (Fontana)
From where: Fontana Lewis Library, 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana
When: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 4 February
More information: mgsb.ucanr.edu
Another edition of From the Garden to the Table, this time at the Fontana Lewis Library, will focus on topics such as growing warm-season vegetables in the Inland Empire, preserving harvested items, and sustainable landscaping. Registration for the free event is not required, but those who register will receive take-home products.
Further dates and locations:
The same topics will be discussed on March 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Yucaipa Branch Library, 12040 5th St., Yucaipa.
tomatomania
From where: Rogers Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona Del Mar
When: 3rd-12th March
One of the first places to see the Tomatomania Tomato Sale will be at Roger’s Gardens Nursery in Orange County. This sale includes more than 300 varieties of heirloom and hybrid tomatoes and the tools to grow them, including fertilizer, stakes, pots and more.
Further dates and locations:
25-26 February, Mission Hills Nursery, 1525 Fort Stockton Drive, San Diego
10th-11th March, Otto & Sons Nursery, 1835 Guiberson Rd, Fillmore
10th-12th March, Fig Earth Supply, 3577 Figueroa Street, Los Angeles
March 18-19, Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark
18-19 March, Underwood Family Farms, 5696 E Los Angeles Ave., Somis
24-26 March, Tapia Bros. Farm, 5251, Hayvenhurst Ave., Encino
Tomatozania
From where: Cal Poly Pomona Kindergarten, 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona
When: middle of March
This Cal Poly Pomona plant sale features 220 varieties of tomatoes for sale, along with spring herbs, vegetables, and strawberry plants.
Poppy Days Sale
From where: Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley
When: 1st-2nd April
Hosted by the Theodore Payne Foundation, this sale features many annual native plants for sale, as well as discounts on plants, seeds and essential equipment.
Cal Poly Pomona Fruit Tree Sale
From where: Cal Poly Pomona Kindergarten, 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona
When: First week of April
Eighty varieties of fruit trees are available for sale, including apples, apricots, peaches, plums, pluots, cherries, apricots, nectarines and figs. There will also be blueberry bushes, blackberry, raspberry and grape vines.
Pepperzania
From where: Cal Poly Pomona Nursery, 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona
When: Mid-April
The university will offer more than 150 varieties of pepper plants for sale — both sweet and spicy varieties — as well as herbs, vegetables and melons.
Sale of edible plants from Veggiepalooza
From where: Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton
When: 1pm-5pm, April 14, for Fullerton Arboretum members and Titan Card holders; 9am – 3pm, April 15, for the general public.
This sale at the Fullerton Arboretum in Cal State Fullerton will feature hundreds of vegetables, herbs and drought tolerant plants for sale.
spring plant sale
From where: UC Riverside Botanic Gardens, 1 Botanic Gardens Drive, Riverside.
When: April 15 for members; April 16 to the public.
This annual sale at UC Riverside Botanical Gardens typically includes native plants, plants that attract pollinators, cacti and succulents, water-conserving plants, and houseplants.
20th Annual Theodore Payne Native Plant and Garden Tour
From where: Multiple locations in Los Angeles County
When: April 15 and 16
Costs: $40-$45; Children under 16 are free
information: nativeplantgardentour.org
Are you looking for inspiration on how to design a landscape with native plants? This Theodore Payne Foundation event gives gardeners a self-guided tour of more than 30 native plant gardens. Tickets give visitors access to all attractions over the two days and a printed guidebook with addresses and directions.
The ultimate pepper sale
From where: Cal Poly Pomona Nursery, 4102 S. University Drive, Pomona
When: Mid-June
Cal Poly is cranking up the heat at this event. There are 50 varieties of super hot peppers for sale, including Carolina Reaper and Chocolate Champion. Herbs, summer vegetables, papaya and dragon fruit plants are also for sale.
National Heirloom Exhibition
From where: Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Blvd, Ventura
When: 12th-14th September
entry: $15 per day or $30 for a three-day pass. Children up to 17 years are free.
information: heirloomexpo.com
This event, which celebrates all things heirlooms, is usually held in Santa Rosa, but this year it’s going to Southern California. Visitors will find a sales hall selling plants, seeds and handcrafted products, as well as food and drink from local vendors.
California Native Plant Sale
From where: Fullerton Arboretum, 1900 Associated Road, Fullerton
When: 2-5pm, Nov 3 for Arboretum members and Titan Card holders; 9am – 3pm 4 Nov for the general public.
This Cal State Fullerton sale will include hundreds of California native plants and other drought tolerant varieties.
https://www.ocregister.com/2023/01/04/15-southern-california-gardening-events-in-2023/ 15 Gardening Events in Southern California in 2023 – Orange County Register