| Fullerton Arboretum 1900 Associated Rd., Fullerton Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily :: fullertonarboretum.org |
Enjoy spring at the Fullerton Arboretum, Orange County’s largest botanical garden.
Made up of a whopping 26 acres of land, all neatly organized and split up into various sections, there are desert, Mediterranean and woodlands collections, as well as community gardens, a children’s garden, a nature center, a museum, and much more.
Head down to the Arboretum grounds now if you dare, when the dead horse arum is in full bloom, along with its signature unpleasant fragrance. Also expected to be in full bloom this season are blue eyed grass, California poppies, tiny tips, purple owl clovers, lupins, goldfields, and California buttercups. Cabbage, kale, onions, potatoes, garlic, peas, beets, carrots, and lettuce are currently growing in the Arboretum’s garden, which will then be transferred to the Potting Shed to be sold every weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Besides being able to take a lovely afternoon stroll, snap photos of nature at its spring finest and sit back on a bench to soak in the beauty nature offers, the Fullerton Arboretum has various classes, workshops and events this spring season.
The Urban Farmers class series is currently in session and is aimed for beginning to intermediately skilled home gardeners. The series covers design and layout in your garden, composting and soil conservation, pest management, harvesting, and how to prep yourself and your garden for the next season.
“Growing some of your own food greatly expands your dietary options, reduces the miles that food must travel to reach your plate to mere steps and can potentially save you money,” says Jonathan Duffy Davis, the instructor of Urban Farmers and a biologist at the Fullerton Arboretum. “My goal in developing the Urban Farmers class series has been to provide home gardeners with the knowledge needed to create home gardens that provide a diverse and continual supply of food with a minimal investment of external or purchased inputs and labor.”
Classes offered include Yoga in the Garden on May 5, Urban Farmers: Prepare for Next Season on May 12, Water Conservation Gardening: Design Strategies also on May 12, and Great Bulbs of Fire! on June 2. Visit the Arboretum on May 19 at 10 a.m. for a free nature tour through the garden. If you have young ones, consider attending Arts in the Garden on May 6; stations will be set up throughout the garden with art, music, story and dance demonstrations, and activities. Prior attendance for classes is not necessary. For class descriptions, cost and availability, visit fullertonarboretum.org.
