This week’s home and garden events in Sonoma County – Santa Rosa Press Democrat

SONOMA: Limelight Evening at the Nursery

What prettier place for a party than among the blooms and tinkling fountains of a nursery?

Sonoma Mission Gardens will be lit up on the night of Aug. 11 for Limelight Evening at the Nursery, a fund-raiser for the Valley of the Moon Children’s Home Garden.

Wine and nibbles will be arrayed for tasting. A succulent bowl created for the event will be raffled off for $ 1 a ticket. Cost is $ 10. The event sells out fast and space is limited. To reserve call 938-5775. 851 Craig Ave., Sonoma.

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SANTA ROSA: Heirloom appraisals

Do you have treasure hidden under your nose? Or is that vase you inherited from grandma just another item for the Goodwill?

Learn the value of some of your collectibles and heirlooms during an appraisal day Aug. 20 at the Sonoma County Museum.

Appraisers Marcus and Rosalie Wardell will offer their expertise between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Cost is $ 40. Andrea Thorin will also be on hand to appraise jewelry. To set up an appointment visit museumssc.org or call 579-1500. The museum is located at 425 7th St., Santa Rosa.

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SANTA ROSA: Make your own willow baskets

Learn to make your own coiled willow baskets from a master of the craft.

Master weaver Charlie Kennard will lead a hands-on workshop Aug. 14 at the Laguna Environmental Center. Participants will learn how to split and trim willow and then will begin a Paiute-style trinket basket with a foundation of whole willow.

The workshop will be from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Heron Hall. Cost is $ 80. To register visit lagunafoundation.org. For more information contact anita@lagunafoundation.org or call 527-9277, Ext. 110. The Laguna Education Center is at 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa.

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SANTA ROSA: Buy plants from fair’s show gardens

One of the best kept secrets among Sonoma County garden lovers is the big plant sale at the close of the Sonoma County Fair.

Major exhibitors sell many of the plants from their huge show gardens at bargain prices.

So mark your calendar for Monday, Aug. 8. Shoppers are advised to arrive early for the best selection. People start lining up well before the 7 a.m. opening The sale is held outside The Hall of Flowers at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds at 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa.

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SANTA ROSA: Color in the garden

There is an art to mixing and matching colors in the garden. And it’s not all about the flowers.

Linda King, a master gardener and landscape designer, will give a talk on “Designing the Garden for Year-Round Color” Aug. 6 at Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen.

King, who specializes in drought-tolerant landscapes, will demonstrate how to combine water-wise plants with different colored and textured foliage, creating a garden that will please the eye all year while using far less water than a lawn.

She will also give experienced gardeners some ideas on plant combinations to add new interest to mature gardens.

Cost is $ 15 for the hour long talk, which begins at 10 a.m. To sign up, visit quarryhillbg.org or call 996-3166. 12841 Sonoma Highway, Glen Ellen.