Gardening Events on the Horizon

You know the new year has really started in earnest for gardeners when the calendar starts to fill up with not-to-be-missed gardening events. Well, that time has arrived. Here are just a few of the happenings in the Bay Area that I'm looking forward to in the coming months:

• The Pacific Orchid Exposition (Feb. 21-24) at Fort Mason in San Francisco. This is always a mind-blowing experience just for the sheer number and variety of orchids gathered in one place. But this year should be even more amazing due to the addition of a series of seminars running throughout the show. This will allow you to not just ogle the beautiful orchids, but really learn a good deal more about them. (Note: You can save a few dollars on admission by buying your tickets in advance online.)
• Daffodil Daydreams/Opening Celebration at Filoli (Feb. 22-24) in Woodside. Come to admire the profusion of daffodils and other spring blooms in the amazing setting that is Filoli. Stroll, attend lectures, sup in the cafe. It's a feast for the senses.
• Growing Organic Tomatoes talk at Evergreen Nursery (Mar. 9, 1 p.m.) in San Leandro.  I'll give an hour-long presentation on growing great-tasting, chemical-free tomatoes and will also be signing copies of my book, California Fruit and Vegetable Gardening afterward. The event is free and Evergreen Nursery is a terrific nursery you may not know about yet. Come join us!
• The San Francisco Flower & Garden Show (Mar. 20-24) at the San Mateo Event Center. This is the grand-daddy of all Bay Area garden events and a great opportunity for learning, shopping, and planning your next gardening projects. (Note: Save money on Early Bird tickets purchased before Mar. 11.)

I'll post more events as I find out about them, and starting in April and May there will be many garden tours going on, so keep your calendar open!