Sonoma County has something for green thumbs seeking some fun this summer.
July 8: Wine & Lavender Soirée at Matanzas Creek Winery, Santa Rosa
Wine Country tourists and locals alike have been flocking to Matanzas Creek Winery for decades to see the winery's expansive lavender gardens. To celebrate the end of the lavender season, Matanzas Creek hosts a soirée featuring a progressive wine tasting that takes guests through their estate gardens. Sip on Sauvignon Blanc and small bites while the bees happily enjoy their own nectar from the fragrant lavender bushes. Tickets start at $35. (Photo by Alvin Jornada)
July 9: 16th Annual Art & Garden Festival, Petaluma
Celebrate the synchronicity between art and gardening at the 16th Annual Art & Garden Festival in downtown Petaluma. Over 100 booths will showcase fine art and horticultural wares as offered by local gardeners, farmers, and artisans. After discovering the right gem for your garden, enjoy food and drinks from local vendors and live music. For the little gardener in your life, there will be a kids corner chock full of activities. Free. petalumadowntown.com
July 12: Plant sale at Luther Burbank Gold Ridge Experiment Farm, Sebastopol
From the Idaho Potato to the Shasta Daisy, Luther Burbank's horticultural handiwork dots the landscape and dinner plates across the country. In 1885, Burbank purchased 15 acres of land and created his experimental farm, where he developed thousands of new flowers, fruits and cactus. Today, the farm is lovingly cared for by volunteers. Pick up your own piece of botanical history at their plant sale, which features plants propagated on-site at the farm. Every Wednesday. wschsgrf.org
July 22: Succulent Terrarium Making + Wine Tasting at Cornerstone, Sonoma
Charming - and challenging - succulents are used to create stylish container gardens. Specialist Brandi Chalker will host a workshop, guiding avid and amateur gardeners through the process of designing and making their own succulent terrarium. Afterwards, celebrate your new skill with a wine tasting at Meadowcroft Wines. Materials are included and you'll walk away with your own succulent terrarium. The 1.5 hour workshop is $54 per person. sunshineandsucculents.com
August 5: Designing with Dahlias at Dragonfly Floral, Healdsburg
Floral design is a delicate, creative and special skill that when learned can enable flower fanatics to decorate their homes with beautiful creations using flowers cut straight from their garden. Dragonfly Floral teaches weekly classes showcasing different themes and flowers. This workshop will teach you how to design and make arrangements using colorful and vibrant dahlias. The 2.5 hour workshop is $150 per person. dragonflyfloralschool.com
August 13-14: Gravenstein Apple Fair, Sebastopol
Summer in Sonoma County isn't complete without attending the Gravenstein Apple Fair and plant-centric fun is plentiful at this year's fair. Free workshops offer something for everyone - from making your own hot sauce from your chili pepper bumper crop to learning how your garden can benefit from a worm box. You can also enjoy a local cider or beer, a piece of apple pie, and the garden goods being sold by local vendors. Adult tickets start at $12. gravensteinapplefair.com
August 12-13, 19-20: Plant sale at Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, Occidental
Bok choy, broccoli, and cabbage, oh my! Prepare your winter vegetable garden at the fall plant sale at Occidental Arts & Ecology Center, an 80-acre research and demonstration garden that helps communities design and cultivate resilience through gardening. This August, the center will open it's garden gates for two weekends, offering the public access to their organic open-pollinated, heirloom vegetables, herbs and flowers. oaec.org
August 26: The Transitional Food Garden, UC Master Gardener workshop, Santa Rosa
After purchasing the perfect veggies, prepare to get your hands dirty by attending a workshop to learn how to transition your summer veggie garden into fall and winter. University of California Master Gardeners will guide you through the process, featuring hands-on activities covering sustainable soil practices, succession planting, and winter garden care. The event takes place at Harvest for the Hungry, which grows produce for those in need. Free. ucanr.edu
September 2: Sonoma County Fermentation Festival
Celebrate all things fermented at the annual Sonoma County Fermentation Festival, where microbiome geeks will gather to learn how to make pickles from their bumper crops of cucumbers, mead, yogurt, and other belly-friendly fermented foods. The event will feature workshops, lectures, and plenty of fermented food and drinks that will provide a power punch of flavor for your taste buds. Tickets start at $15. fermentfestival.com. (Video featuring Jennifer Harris, founder of Sonoma County Fermentation Festival, directed and produced by Joshua Dylan Mellars)
September 5-7: National Heirloom Expo
Quite possibly the largest event in the country celebrating all things heirloom, the National Heirloom Expo will showcase heirloom fruits and vegetables from around the world. Over 100 speakers, 350 vendors, and the largest pyramid of gourds (yes, a gourd pyramid) will fill the event center at the fairgrounds and an anticipated 20,000 farmers, gardeners and curious foodies will attend. theheirloomexpo.com
September 12: Garden Tour at Osmosis Day Spa
Osmosis Day Spa in Occidental is not just a place for massages and meditation - it also a spot for Zen-garden enthusiasts. Join Osmosis founder Michael Stusser and tree pruning expert Michael Alliger on a tour of the property's Kyoto-style Meditation Garden. The tour will showcase rock arrangements, pond layouts, planting themes and materials. After the tour, enjoy a cedar enzyme footpath and tea included with your ticket. Tickets start at $25. (Photo: Christopher Chung) osmosis.com
October 1: Kendall-Jackson Harvest Celebration
Celebrate the beginning of fall at Kendall-Jackson with a day of organic produce, garden-friendly educational seminars, local vendors, and of course - wine and gourmet food. The event will feature UC Master Gardeners presenting about beekeeping and vegetable gardening, heirloom tomato tastings, and plenty of wine to fuel one's passion for fresh, organic produce. Tickets start at $125. kj.com
Whether you’re seeking to learn a new skill, pick up the right plant for your fall garden, or relax among lavender fields, Sonoma County has something for green thumbs seeking some fun this summer. Click through the gallery above to discover eight Sonoma County garden-related events not to miss this summer.
