To Market to Food Market

Master Gardeners Open House

There is so much going on this weekend…

The second annual open house will be held at “The Gardens on Campbell Avenue” located at 4210 N. Campbell Avenue on Saturday, November 7, 2009 from  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The first open house last year attracted a record crowd behind the gates of one of Tucson’s best kept secrets. Operated by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office, the demonstration gardens are created and tended by certified volunteer Master Gardeners.  Master Gardeners are certified gardeners who have gone through specific training to be able to assist the Extension office in providing accurate, research based gardening information to county residents.

At the open house, volunteers will lead tours throughout the day through the Specialty Gardens including the Vineyard and Winery, Xeriscape Gardens and more. There will be workshops about container, vegetable, cacti, and succulent gardens as well as activities for kids and of course, refreshments.

Special guest experts including John P. Begeman, the director of the University of Arizona-Pima County Cooperative Extension along with UA Research scientists, a cooking demo in the vegetable garden by Chef Albert Hall of Acacia and Acacia Marketplace and many other local food and wine authorities on hand to provide information on how to gain the best results when gardening in Tucson’s extreme climates.

The public is welcome and admission is free.  For additional information, call (520) 626-5161.

Shameless self promotion: In no way do I have a green thumb and my blood orange tree that I planted recently is not doing that well. But what I really want to talk about is dogs — bring your dog/s – any breed to the Greyhounds & Friends, Fall Festival on Saturday November 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brandi Fenton Park for three fun-filled hours. People without dogs are welcome too.

There will be contests, raffles, silent auction, famous local media people one with red hair who has dog named Sawyer, hot dogs & smoothies, pumpkin decorating for kids, other animal rescues, nail trimming (for dogs), and more.

The event benefits Arizona Greyhound Rescue which last year spent $63,000 on vet bills alone readying retired race dogs for adoptive homes.