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Yolo, Solano farms celebrate Lavender Weekend



Lavender's the word -- and the scent -- of the weekend on the Solano-Yolo
Lavender Trail. (Photo: Kathy Morrison)
See, smell and taste this popular herb along the Lavender Trail


Can you smell it? This special event is perfect for Pollinators Week.

Yolo and Solano counties will celebrate one of the world's most popular herbs (and a favorite plant of bees) with Lavender Weekend, June 22 and 23.

Six major lavender farms and growers will show off lavender in full bloom as well as demonstrate the many ways to use this fragrant medicinal and culinary herb.

These farms are located along the Solano-Yolo Lavender Trail, where this Mediterranean native feels most at home.

Among the participating farms will be Morningsun Herb Farm and Soul Food Farm in Vacaville, Araceli Farms in Dixon, Il Fiorello and Girl on the Hill in Fairfield and Patchwork Farm in Capay. Hours vary at each location. Admission is free.

Besides growing tons of lavender flowers, these farms will host a wide range of lavender-related activities such as wreath making and other crafts. Enjoy lavender-spiked lemonade, lavender ale and lavender gelato as well as other treats and beverages. Some locations will offer lavender-inspired lunches.

The farms also will host cooking and crafting demonstrations as well as offer tips on how to grow and harvest this low-water, sun-loving herb. Learn how lavender perfume is distilled as well as take home lavender-scented soaps and candles.

Most stops will offer fresh cut lavender flowers or live plants, too. Take home a plant to grow your own.

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Garden Checklist for week of May 19

Temperatures will be a bit higher than normal in the afternoons this week. Take care of chores early in the day – then enjoy the afternoon. It’s time to smell the roses.

* Plant, plant, plant! It’s prime planting season in the Sacramento area. If you haven’t already, it’s time to set out those tomato transplants along with peppers and eggplants. Pinch off any flowers on new transplants to make them concentrate on establishing roots instead of setting premature fruit.

* Direct-seed melons, cucumbers, summer squash, corn, radishes, pumpkins and annual herbs such as basil.

* Harvest cabbage, lettuce, peas and green onions.

* In the flower garden, direct-seed sunflowers, cosmos, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, celosia and asters.

* Plant dahlia tubers. Other perennials to set out include verbena, coreopsis, coneflower and astilbe.

* Transplant petunias, marigolds and perennial flowers such as astilbe, columbine, coneflowers, coreopsis, dahlias, rudbeckia and verbena.

* Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, earwigs and aphids that want to dine on tender new growth.

* Feed summer bloomers with a balanced fertilizer.

* For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers on roses as well as other flowering plants.

* Don’t forget to water. Seedlings need moisture. Deep watering will help build strong roots and healthy plants.

* Add mulch to the garden to help keep that precious water from evaporating. Mulch also cuts down on weeds. But don’t let it mound around the stems or trunks of trees or shrubs. Leave about a 6-inch to 1-foot circle to avoid crown rot or other problems.

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