First Annual Horticultural Faire
Friday - Sunday, October 9-11, 2009
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Eye-popping horticultural delights are in store for gardeners at Descanso’s first annual Horticultural Faire and Fall Plant Sale taking place this year from Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9 through 11 on the Gardens’ Main Lawn. (Please note: the sale does NOT take place in Plant Propagation as in previous years).

From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plant lovers can browse through a gardener’s heaven, filled with healthy plants, must-have garden accessories, farmer’s market goodies, knowledgeable salespeople and fantastically good prices.

Sponsored by Monrovia Growers, the plant sale will also feature green items from students at Mount San Antonio College, Descanso’s own Plant Propagation Department and local garden boutique stores. Worm castings will be also be available for sale (very limited supplies), and Descanso members will receive a free sample of compost tea, brewed at Descanso (first come, first serve).

In addition, on Saturday, Oct. 10, Faire-goers can join gardening experts in hands-on workshops on a variety of plant-related topics – including a bilingual session in Spanish – for free. Scheduled topics include:

• 10 a.m. - Landscape horticulturist Mike Brown talks about creating vibrant container plantings.
• 11 a.m. - Nicholas Staddon, Director of New Plant Introductions for Monrovia Growers.
• noon - Gary Knowlton, Tree Surgeon and Arborist leads a primer on tree care.
• 1 p.m. - Jesus Ramirez from Mt. San Antonio College discusses plant grafting techniques (bilingual).
• 2 p.m. - Amanda Everett, Descanso Horticulturist, shows how easy it is to make compost tea.

On both Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., visitors can go on a free Heritage Oak Walk to see up-close some of the oldest and largest oaks in the Gardens.

Shoppers can enjoy music from the Bluegrass Billionaires on Sunday, Oct. 11 from noon to 2 p.m.

Finally, parents will appreciate the Faire’s Fun Zone which offers youngsters safe and fun activities during all three days of the event. On Saturday, Oct. 10, Timothy Geracoulis will provide roaming entertainment and witty discourse for children and adults from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.