The Run Around: Flower Festivals and Fun

SF Flower & Garden Show

March 21-25 10 a.m - 7 p.m. Weds-Sat 10a.m. - 6 p .m.Sunday

Location San Mateo County Event Center 1346 Saratoga Dr. San Mateo, CA 94403 What's Hot this Year: Small Space Gardening Each year there’s a different topic that seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, or at least in many of the seminar applications, the garden creator’s designs, and the exhibitor’s new products. This year it is Small-Space Gardening in all its aspects. Gardening and designing for tiny gardens, narrow side-yards, in containers, on decks, green walls, or just choosing to garden a small portion of your space and let the rest run wild (I call that “creating habitat”). The main attraction is simply beauty in a small space that does not require a huge amount of work or water. Make it, tend it, then sit in it and zone out. But small spaces need some thought and careful planning and that’s what the Show participants will demonstrate this year. Small-Space Container Gardens New From Timber Press Transform Your Balcony, Porch, or Patio with Fruits, Flowers, Foliage, and Herbs By Fern Richardson Small? Yes. A concrete slab populated solely with plastic chairs and an abandoned grill? Not anymore. Chances are your balcony, porch, or patio could use a major makeover. Fern Richardson, charismatic creator of the blog Life on the Balcony, is here to walk you through the process of beautifying a small space — even when your budget is just as small. This exciting guide layers practical gardening fundamentals with creative solutions that encourage thinking outside the pot. Maybe this means repurposing a shipping pallet to create a colorful vertical garden of nasturtiums and lobelia. Or simply seeing walls, rafters, railings, and everything in between as fair game. You'll also learn how to tackle unique challenges, like windy conditions when gardening several stories above street level, and how to care for plants and troubleshoot with the best of them. From design basics to essential plant picks, Small-Space Container Gardens ($19.95) proves you don't need a yard to have a garden. For anyone who wants more green in their life, it's time to get out there and start growing.  Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival   April 14 & 15; 21 & 22, 2012 Grand Parade: Sunday, April 22, 2012 Queen Pageant: Saturday, April 14, 2012 San Francisco's Japantown Post & Buchanan Streets), San Francisco Grand Parade: Begins at San Francisco City Hall and ends at Post & Fillmore Queen Pageant: Sundance Kabuki 8 Theater, Japantown Each year, over 200,000 people attend this dazzling display of Japanese culture and the diversity of the Japanese American Community. There will be food booths, cultural performances, martial arts, live bands, the annual Queen Program, and more. The Grand Parade will be held on April 22, beginning at City Hall and concluding in Japantown. The 2012 Festival will celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. and will also pay tribute to the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and the Military Intelligence Service comprised of all Japanese American soldiers receiving the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. The highest civilian honor bestowed by the U. S. Congress. The festival will also recognize the one year anniversary of the Tohoku Region Earthquake and Tsunami. The Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival is said to be the second largest festival outside of Washington, D.C. to celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms; and held at one of three remaining Japantowns in the United States. Apple Blossom Days April 28 & 29! Apple Hill It takes roughly 12 pounds of apples to produce one gallon of fresh juice. That means you're getting almost one pound of apples in each serving. Sign up now for Apple Blossom Trail Run on several gorgeous courses over private Christmas Tree farms, orchards and vineyards- you'll get to see views the farmers keep for themselves! The Apple Hill Blossom Trail Run is a very unique trail running experience. Only on this day will you be able to take a scenic journey on this fun, cross country course where you’ll be amazed at the breathtaking views, blooming apple orchards, vineyards, a lush forest and tree farms. Pick up a "starter kit" for the Apple Blossom Recipe Book that last weekend in April. (Keep reading these emails so you'll know where to find them.) Then travel among the participating farms to collect recipes- family favorites you'll treasure too. And, when you get done running around, I'll see you in the garden. Don't forget to send a note while you're gone. Tell me you're having fun. Otherwise I worry.