Home Matters: Upcoming events, tours and classes

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some events are being canceled or postponed. Please verify prior to attending.

May 21: What’s all the buzz about? It’s World Bee Day. The Japanese Friendship Garden is partnering with other Balboa Park and community organizations to host buzz-worthy events in order to raise awareness of the importance of bees and all pollinators in gardens, the threats they face and actions people can take to protect them. The flying insects will be showcased through exhibits, music, interactive demonstrations, microscopic observations and art as well as educational hands-on activities. Cost: free with admission. When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Upper Garden area in the Friendship Garden, Balboa Park. Information: (619) 232-2721 or niwa.org/world-bee-day.

June 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-July 4: The San Diego County Fair offers homeowners and gardeners the opportunity to view the latest trends in home décor, garden designs and outdoor living. Experts and vendors will be on hand to answer questions. Admission tickets: $12-$20: $15 parking; events like concerts cost extra. When: Gate hours — 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays and July 4; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays. Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar. Information: (858) 755-1161 or sdfair.com/.

June 11: Six gardens in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego will be featured in the San Diego Floral Association’s Garden Tour 2022. Besides a variety of plants, the gardens have paving stones and landscape decorations like fountains. Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 day of. When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Tour starts at the intersection of Edgeware Road and Madison Avenue. Information: (619) 232-5762 or sdfloral.org/garden-tour.htm.

June 11: Interested in backyard composting? Experts from the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation — using trial-tested advice and interactive demonstrations — will demonstrate how during a workshop to get started with a bin that fits your needs and lifestyle. Cost: free with garden admission. When: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Where: The Water Conservation Garden, 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon. Information: (760) 436-7986, ext. 700, or solanacenter.org/civicrm/event/info%3Freset%3D1%26id%3D2131.

June 11: Buildings designed by well-known architects and those that played civic roles in Oceanside will be highlighted during the Downtown Oceanside History Walk. The tour, hosted by the Oceanside Historical Society, showcases different types of architecture ranging from modernism to Mission Revival. Cost: free. When: 9-11 a.m. Where: Tour begins in front of the Oceanside Public Library, 300 North Coast Highway, Oceanside. Information: oceansidehistoricalsociety.org/downtown-history-walk/.

June 11-12: The San Diego Bromeliad Society plant sale is a two-day event and will showcase tillandsias and other colorful bromeliads from vendors and society members. Cost: free. When: 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Where: Room 104, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Information: sandiegobromeliadsociety.org/june-sale-balboa-park.html.

June 12: A trio of plant-related experiences will be available during the monthly Plant Days and Orchid Odyssey event at the San Diego Zoo. The remodeled Orchid Odyssey greenhouse will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors also can tour the Carnivorous Plant Greenhouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Horticulture staff will be available to answer questions about these plants. And a Botanical Bus Tour, starting at 11 a.m., will be led by a different horticulture staff member each month. Cost: Zoo admission. When: Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and each experience has specific hours. Where: San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive. Information: (619) 231-1515 or sandiegozoo.org/activities/botanical-tours.

Through June 12: The World of Orchids showcase will feature hundreds of the plant on display in the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory at the San Diego Botanic Garden. On the weekends, visitors will be able to garner free, first-hand knowledge and advice about choosing the best plant for their garden, caring for an orchid purchase, helping an orchid bloom again and repotting an orchid. Cost: free members; $12-$18 nonmembers; reservations recommended. When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Monday. Where: San Diego Botanic Garden, 230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas. Information: (760) 436-3036, ext. 231, or sdbgarden.org/orchids.htm.

June 15: How do you design a garden to thrive an entire year? Award-winning landscape designer Linda Bresler will show attendees at the San Diego Flora Association meeting the ways in which flowers, shrubs and trees can create a spectacular color palette that thrives in summer heat and winter rain. Cost: Free. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Room 101, Casa del Prado, Balboa Park. Information: (619) 232-5762 or sdfloral.org/meeting.htm.

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