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The arboretum announced a pilot program of “Tour and Shop” events for garden clubs and Master Gardeners groups.

Organizers said each event will comprise a free, 45-minute guided tour of the raised demonstration beds at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, followed by 75 minutes for plant shopping (at your expense!), with arboretum staff and volunteers available to answer your shopping questions.

“This package offers a great way to learn about our selection of Arboretum All-Stars and other unusual and hard-to-find plants,” organizers said. And you will not be dealing with the crowds that normally turn out for the arboretum’s weekend sales.

The pilot program this season comprises four “Tour and Shop” dates: March 18, April 1, 15 and 29, and May 6, with each event running from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The minimum group size is 15 and the maximum size is 40, and advance reservations are required, by contacting Suzanne Ullensvang, (530) 752-8324 or sullensvang@ucdavis.edu.

PUBLIC SALES

This season’s public sales at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, Garrod Drive, south of La Rue Road. All sales are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday:

• March 13—Member Appreciation Sale. If you are not a member, you are invited to join (or renew) at the gate. With music, refreshments and children’s activities.

• April 10—Great Plants for Water-Wise Gardens.

• April 24—Perfect Plants for Pots

• May 15—End-of-Season Clearance Sale

OTHER EVENTS

Tour — Acacia Encounters. 11 a.m. Feb. 20, Putah Creek Lodge, on the south side of the arboretum waterway, west of California Avenue.

Flute-making workshop — Antonio Flores, East Bay Regional Parks docent, returns to lead another workshop on the Native Californian tradition of making flutes from elderberry wood—and to teach people how to make and play the flutes. All materials are supplied; please bring sharpened pocketknives. All ages are invited; adults must supervise their young children. No reservations needed. 1-3 p.m. Feb. 28, 146 Environmental Horticulture, Old Davis Road just east of Mrak Hall Drive.

Folk Music Jams — Play or listen. Noon March 5 and 19. Feb. 19. Wyatt Deck.

Tour — Spring Preview in the Nursery. 2 p.m. March 7, Arboretum Teaching Nursery, Garrod Drive, south of La Rue Road.

Member Plant Sale — First sale of the year. If you are not a member, you are invited to join (or renew) at the gate. With music, refreshments and children’s activities. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. March 13, Arboretum Teaching Nursery, Garrod Drive, south of La Rue Road.

Tour — Signs of Spring. 2 p.m. March 14, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Tour — Meet Some California Native Plants. 11 a.m. March 20, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Tour — All-Stars in the Garden. 2 p.m. March 28, gazebo.

All events are free and open to the public. More information: (530) 752-4880 or (for directions, click on “Plan Your Visit”).