Making the most of beautiful and dry weather, local rosarians and nurseries will try to inspire gardeners to get out and prune with several free workshops and clinics.
Tonight, The Bee's garden writer Debbie Arrington will moderate a rose pruning workshop with members of the Sacramento Rose Society at Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento. Starting at 7:30 p.m., the event offers hands-on instruction on how to tackle even the gnarliest bushes. Bring pruners and gloves. Tool sharpening available for donation.
This weekend, Capital Nursery will offer five pruning clinics at its Sacramento location at 4700 Freeport Blvd. Horticulturist Mike Runner will lead the workshops to be presented at 9 and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. For more details, click on www.capitalnursery.com or call (916) 455-2601.
Saturday at 10 a.m., Green Acres Nursery & Supply will present "How's Your Orchard?" Learn about planting, pruning and maintenance of fruit trees during the bareroot season at both Green Acres' locations: 8501 Jackson Road, Sacramento, and 901 Galleria Blvd., Roseville. See www.idiggreenacres.com for more information.
But that's just a taste. There are many more places to sharpen your skills.
Here are more pruning events this weekend:
Saturday: The Sacramento Tree Foundation conducts workshops on proper pruning to extend the life and beauty of trees. Learn when and how to make pruning cuts and overall pruning strategies for young trees. Weather permitting, there will be an optional walkabout afterwards on library grounds to look at tree structure and pruning. Pre-registration required at www.sactree.org. (916) 924-8733 ext. 122. Two locations: Folsom Park Library, 411 Stafford St., Folsom, 10:30 a.m.; or Elk Grove Library, 8900 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove, 2 p.m.
Saturday: Sierra Foothills Rose Society hosts its rose pruning workshop with something extra - a chili cookoff. Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville. (916) 420-0344 or www.sactorose.org. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday: Yolo County master gardeners lead a fruit tree pruning workshop in the demonstration orchard behind the college greenhouse. Learn how proper training and pruning of fruit trees directs new growth, helps create a desired tree structure and encourages spring fruit set. (Class will be held in greenhouse in case of rain.) Woodland Community College, 2300 E. Gibson Rd., Woodland. (530) 666-8143. 10 a.m.-noon.
Saturday: A master gardener will discuss pruning techniques and tips in a pruning workshop presented by the Sacramento Public Library. Belle Cooledge Library, 5600 S. Land Park Drive, Sacramento. (916) 264-2920. 11:30 a.m.
Saturday: Pruning demonstration and workshop that tackles them all: Fruit trees, shade trees, shrubs and roses. Plus coffee and treats. Flower Hut Nursery, 603 Fourth St. and Hwy. 65, Wheatland. (530) 633-4526. 10 a.m.
Saturday and Jan. 21: Seasonal and Japanese maple pruning clinic led by Dave Bushnell of Bushnell Gardens. Four sessions available for this popular clinic but call first to guarantee a seat; reservations required. Open to gardeners of all levels. Bushnell Gardens, 5255 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay. (916) 791-0756 or www.bushnellgardens.com. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. both Saturdays.
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