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Whether you’re looking to hone your gardening skills, explore local gardens or learn about architecture, you’ll find plenty of opportunities on the Peninsula. Check out our March home & garden events calendar.
Camellias in bloom at Gamble Garden
10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 8 | Gamble Garden, 1431 Waverley St., Palo Alto | Free | Registration required
Gamble Garden boasts an extensive collection of camellias that includes more than 50 cultivars and over 60 plants. The garden is part of the American Camellia Trail. Visitors can explore these stunning winter bloomers at the historic property’s second Saturday, which includes guided tours of its camellia collection,interactive learning stations, hands-on arts activities and a children’s story time.
‘Riding the Wildflowers’
10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 8 | Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve, Redwood City | Free | Reservations required by March 7
Russian Ridge is known throughout the Bay Area for its multiple habitats and vast wildflower displays. Join docent naturalists An Scharlaken, Steve Crawford, Roger Wigenstam and Jianfei Hu for an 8-mile exciting and aerobic mountain bike ride in search of spring wildflowers. This adventure is designed for experienced mountain bikers looking to explore the region’s dynamic trails while learning about the different habitats and what flowers grow there. Participants will start with a climb up the Ridge Trail, then ride down the Ancient Oaks Trail, gain elevation again on the Alder Spring Trail, and loop back to the Ridge Trail. This is an advanced-level ride: Participants must be experienced and able to ride steep, narrow trails with an elevation gain of over 1,000 feet. Bring lunch.
Meet at the parking lot, which is located on the northwest corner of Skyline Boulevard and Page Mill/Alpine Road.
How to protect your property from wildfires
6:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11 | first-floor program room, Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View| Registration recommended
As recent fires in California have shown, living on the flatlands does not protect homes from wildfires. Learn simple steps to create a defensible space around your home and make your property more resistant to wildfires during this one-hour presentation. Seating is limited, but walk-ins are welcome.
Homebuying webinar
2-3 p.m., Wednesday, March 12 | Zoom | Free | Registration required
Learn homebuying basics in this one-hour webinar hosted by Stanford Federal Credit Union. A Realtor and mortgage consultant will share tips on how to find and buy a home with the most favorable terms and help participants understand the homebuying process and financing options. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.
How to grow great tomatoes
7- 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 19 | Orchard Room, Los Altos Library, 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos | Free | More information
Tomato-planting season is coming up: The end of April and beginning of May marks the best time to plant your tomato seedlings when the night air is above 50 degrees. To prepare residents, UC Master Gardener Mary Collins will share planting tips for growing great tomatoes. Learn about soil, seeding, watering, varieties, growing in containers and basic tomato culture.
Tree selection, watering and care
6-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 19 | Online | Free | Registration required
Learn how to choose the right tree for your landscape, tree-watering techniques and how to care for young trees to ensure they reach their full mature potential during this one-hour webinar offered by the city of Palo Alto. The event also will cover the benefits of watering trees using graywater.
Spring bloom watch and flora parties at Filoli
10 a.m.-5 p.m., daily | Filoli Historic House & Garden, 86 Cañada Road, Woodside | general admission (adults): $36 | Advance tickets required
This spring, tens of thousands of tulips, daffodils and hyacinth bulbs will be in bloom at the 16-acre garden at Filoli. Those interested in “bloom watching,” can use Filoli’s bloom calendar to find out the best time to see specific flowers and foliage come into bloom.
For those interested in celebrating the colors of the season with a hands-on activity, Filoli is hosting its annual spring flora parties on April 3-5. Guided by Filoli staff, guests are invited to artfully combine a mix of fresh flowers and greenery to make their showstopper arrangement. Enjoy light bites and beverages as you unleash your creativity and take inspiration from the garden around you. Flora parties cost $160 per person. Dates and registration.
Explore Palo Alto’s historic corridors
Self-guided walking tours by the Woman’s Club of Palo Alto | various Palo Alto corridors | More information
The Woman’s Club of Palo Alto offers three self-guided walking tours along various corridors in Palo Alto that explore historic places and homes related to the club’s early members. The digital guides provide a look at the families, architecture and history of the historic corridors along Homer Avenue, Ramona Street and Embarcadero.
See the site where early resident Lee De Forest, known as the “Father of Radio,” invented the Audion vacuum tube in 1906 that led to the modern radio. Learn about University AME Zion Church, the first African-American church on the Peninsula. See historic homes with unique architecture along Cowper Street, as well as other points of interest. The Woman’s Club of Palo Alto originated in the 19th century during the Woman’s Suffrage movement and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Movement and its members played a role in the successful local drive for California women’s voting rights in 1911.
See maps and tour information here.
Spring cleaning: Household hazardous waste drop-off
7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thursday – Saturday, year-round | various locations | Appointment required: Santa Clara County, San Mateo County
Through the Household Hazardous Waste Program, Santa Clara and San Mateo county residents can dispose of unwanted household products labeled as flammable, toxic, corrosive or reactive for free at designated drop-off sites.
In Santa Clara County, permanent drop-off sites are located in San Jose or San Martin. Along the Peninsula, temporary sites in Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Santa Clara are open on select Saturdays in April.
In San Mateo County, drop-off events occur in Daly City, East Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, La Honda, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Mateo and South San Francisco.
Once you make an appointment, the address of your drop-off location will be emailed to you.
Common products that can be dropped off include auto fluids, batteries, electronics, fluorescent and LED lightbulbs, garden chemicals, household cleaners, paint and many other products that require proper disposal to prevent harm to humans and the environment.
Note: Palo Alto residents who want to schedule a drop-off need to contact their city’s household hazardous waste program at 650-496-5910.
Sustainble gardening
6:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, April 8 | Zoom | Free | registration required
UC Master Gardeners Mary Werthman and Ann Northrup will discuss sustainable gardening practices, and how gardeners can be part of the solution to climate change during this 90-minute presentation offered by the Mountain View Public Library.
Plant exchange
2-5 p.m., Saturday, April 26 | Bookmobile garage at Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View | Free | More information
Do you have houseplant or yard cuttings that you want to share? Are you looking to refresh your garden with new plant varieties? Trade your extra plants with others in the community at the upcoming plant exchange. All types of plants are welcome – seedlings, cuttings, houseplants, plants in containers, even shrubs and small trees. For those bringing plants to share, use a tag or label, if possible, to identify your plants and drop them off at the garage around the side of the library (off Mercy Street). If you’re interested in picking up plants only, you don’t need to bring a plant.
