When it comes to spring events, it's our local garden clubs that deserve a prize for Best in Show — and Busiest Members.
The Marina Tree & Garden Club has not just one, but three public events planned for the next few weeks. And the Carmel Valley Garden Association is energetically coordinating its big annual fundraiser for the first weekend in May.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the bounty of garden events coming up in the next few months.
· Saturday, the Monterey Bay Dahlia Society is holding its spring sale from 9 a.m. to noon. The society will sell dahlia tubers near the Red Apple Café at Deer Park Shopping Center in Aptos. There will also be a second-chance sale on April 13 at the Cabrillo College Farmers Market. See www.mbdahlias.org.
· From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, the Marina Tree & Garden Club hosts its annual Cutting Day, when local gardeners are invited to bring bulbs, divisions, seeds and cuttings to exchange with others. The free event will take place at the Marina Farmers Market, 215 Reservation Road.
Next, the group hosts its spring potluck and meeting, also free and open to nonmembers, from 6 to 8 p.m. April 25 at the Marina Library. Bring a dish to share; presentations on beekeeping and garden pest control are planned.
Last but not least, the club will hold its biennial Marina Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5. The day includes seven inspiring gardens as well as rainwater catchment demonstrations and tours of the Marina Coast Water District's demonstration garden. Tickets are $15, or $12 for club members; to purchase in advance, call 682-8016. See www.marinatreeandgarden.org.
· Sustainable and water-wise gardening is the focus of the 2013 Smart Gardening Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 13, hosted by Monterey Bay Master Gardeners. Among the attractions at the free event are plants for sale, speakers and demonstrations, and experts sharing their knowledge.
Among the speakers' topics are soil nutrition, cooking with wild edible plants, native bees in the garden and growing protea. Demonstrations on plant propagation, beekeeping and pruning are also planned, as are children's activities. See www.smartgardening.org.
· It wouldn't be spring without the Pacific Grove Wildflower Show, set for April 19-21 at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The 52nd annual event presented by the museum and the Monterey Bay chapter of the California Native Plant Society will display more than 600 native species and varieties. A $5 donation is suggested from the public; it's free to museum and CNPS members. See www.pgmuseum.org.
· A brand-new event, "Art in Bloom," will blossom at the Monterey Museum of Art's La Mirada facility April 25-28. The event includes a gala opening, afternoon teas, lectures and beautiful floral displays by local designers in conjunction with the "Art in Bloom" exhibition, which showcases the museum's collection of new acquisitions from year 2000 to the present. Advance registration is required for the afternoon teas April 26-27; seatings are at 2 p.m. daily, and the cost is $35 per person or $20 for children under 12. Register at www.eventbrite.com/event/6015158501 or by calling 372-5477, ext. 105.
All events take place at La Mirada, 720 Via Mirada in Monterey. For more information and the complete schedule of events, see www.montereyart.org or call 372-3689.
· The spring show and sale of the Monterey Bay Area Cactus & Succulent Society takes place April 27-28 at Jardines Restaurant, 115 Third St., San Juan Bautista. Information: Naomi Bloss, 722-1446.
· The annual Carmel Valley Garden Show will once more feature art, flower arrangements and family-friendly activities, May 3-5 at the Hidden Valley Institute for the Arts. Exhibits of cut flowers and orchids highlight the two days, as well as garden vendors, a plant sale, art exhibits and a children's discovery garden. Check for more details at www.cvgardenclub.org.
· On the day before Mother's Day, the Aromas Country Garden Tour returns once more for a look at some beautiful home gardens in North County. The event, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11, is a self-guided tour, starting at the Aromas Grange, Rose and Bardue avenues, where tickets and maps will be available. Local artists will show and sell their work at many of the gardens. For information, see www.aromashillsartisans.com.
· The Monterey Bay Rose Society will host its annual Rose Show at Alladin Nursery, 2905 Freedom Blvd. in Watsonville, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. May 11. The show is open to members and nonmembers, with judging taking place that morning. See www.montereybayrosesociety.org.
· The living sculptures of bonsai will be highlighted at the annual exhibition of the Monterey Bonsai Club, set for June 9 at Monterey Buddhist Temple, 1150 Noche Buena St., Seaside. The event, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is free and will include a demonstration by Katsumi Kinoshita at 1:30 p.m. Bonsai and bonsai pots will be for sale. See www.gsbf-bonsai.org/montereybonsai/expo.htm.
· Want to learn more in a hands-on workshop from Monterey Bay Master Gardeners? Take their Home Gardeners Boot Camp on June 15 at Cabrillo College's Horticulture Center. Advance registration is required for the one-day workshop; cost is $40. For more details and to register, see mbmg.org.