Learn eco-friendly tips for dealing with weeds at an upcoming workshop. (The Press Democrat, file)
Petaluma
Let’s get started in the garden: Sonoma County Master Gardeners and Petaluma Bounty present “February in the Garden” from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 at the Unity Demonstration Garden at Bounty Farm, 55 Shasta Ave.
Master Gardeners will demonstrate tasks that can be accomplished in the garden in February as you plan for spring. This workshop will provide hands-on learning opportunities including demonstrations on seed starting, tool maintenance, cutting back perennials and pruning roses, and weed abatement. We will share advice on planning your spring vegetable garden. There will also be a seed swap.
This is a free event. No registration necessary.
Sebastopol
Eco-friendly weed management: Are your weeds taking over? Are you trying to control them without chemicals? Sonoma County Master Gardeners will teach participants about eco-friendly weed management from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, fireside room, 282 South High St.
The class will focus on sustainability based on integrated pest management (IPM) and utilizing multiple tools and practices. This is a free event. Registration encouraged: Go to https://tinyurl.com/muewrmrx or http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/ to register.
Kenwood
Mushroom hike: The Sonoma Ecology Center hosts a mushroom hike led by mycologist George Riner from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 14 at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road.
Hikers will observe mushroom growth, learn to identify different species by key traits, be mesmerized by the display of colors, shapes, textures, and discuss these remarkable organisms’ ecological roles, culinary delights, and even a touch of folklore.
Participants should be prepared for 2 miles of leisurely walking and chatting over moderate and possibly muddy terrain. Please be aware this is not a foray; collection is permitted for this activity through a yearly California State Parks Scientific Research and Collecting permit. Fungi information is for educational purposes only. Foraging is illegal in California State Parks.
Tickets are required and cost $10 general; $5 for students and youth ages 12-17; children under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Admission is free to Sugarloaf members, Sugarloaf and RFO volunteers, and free for children under 12. Meet outside the Visitor Center 10 minutes prior to the event start time. There is also a parking fee.
Participants should wear layers and appropriate footwear for muddy/slippery trails, bring at least a quart of water, and if you have them, mushroom identifying guides. We invite you to bring a reusable drink container so your little ones can enjoy hot cocoa after the walk, if desired. Heavy rain cancels.
To register, visit https://sec.regfox.com/fungalentines2026.
Petaluma
Garden tool maintenance: Sonoma County Master Gardener Sue Bates-Pintar will demonstrate how to maintain garden tools during a workshop from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Petaluma Regional Library, community room, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.
Bates-Pintar will discuss cleaning, sharpening, and lubrication of tools. Guests are invited to bring one tool you would like to have evaluated at the end of the talk, time permitting.
Registration is encouraged: Go to https://tinyurl.com/3sams8ap or https://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/ to register.
Healdsburg
The fundamentals of mushroom foraging: Relish Sonoma hosts a wild mushroom foray and lunch experience from 10 a.m. to noon March 1 at a yet to be announced location.
Join David Campbell and Julie Schreiber, who between them have over 80 years of wild mushroom experience, on a foray in the hills near Healdsburg.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of edible wild mushroom foraging, including what trees and terrain to look for, the most easily-recognizable edible mushrooms of our region, handling, safety and more. We’ll gather all of our found mushrooms, edible or not, to use as examples of identifying characteristics.
After the foray, there will be a wild mushroom lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. created by Chef Julie, who is also a trained chef and winemaker. Discussion will continue over lunch, including storing, handling and cooking a variety of fresh and dry wild mushrooms. We’ll cook up any edibles we find along with our amazing four-course mushroom lunch served with selected local wines.
Foray and lunch locations are within 20 minutes of downtown Healdsburg. Location and directions will be provided to registered guests a week before the event.
Visit https://relishsonoma.com/classes to register.
Sonoma
Fill the garden with native plants: Sonoma Ecology Center has a native plant sale from noon to 3 p.m. every Friday at Sonoma Garden Park, 19996 Seventh St. East.
The sale offers a variety of California native plants to help local gardeners create and maintain drought tolerant and pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes.
For information visit https://sonomaecologycenter.org/venue/sonoma-garden-park or email email the nursery manage at hannah@sonomaecologycenter.org.
Petaluma
Right plant, right place: Daily Acts, in partnership with the City of Petaluma, presents a workshop on growing a water-wise native habitat garden from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.
The workshop will teach where to place native or climate-appropriate plants within a sheet-mulched landscape, set up an irrigation system and how to maintain a healthy, thriving landscape.
This event is an extension of the City of Petaluma’s Mulch Madness Program, which provides eligible Petaluma residents with free sheet mulching materials/delivery and the opportunity to receive free plants if participants complete all requirements including attending this workshop. Petaluma residents are encouraged to check the program requirements and apply. While participation in the Mulch Madness program is required to receive free plants, all are welcome to attend and benefit from the knowledge shared at this workshop.
To register for the workshop, visit https://dailyacts.org/event-cal/right-plant-right-place-workshop/
Online
All about chickens: Alchemist Farm of Sebastopol offers online classes on keeping chickens.
Participants will learn everything from setting up the brooders to managing a flock, trimming wings and working with broody hens. The cost is $97.
Alchemist Farm also offers a master hatching class along with monthly live chicken chats.
For information and to sign up, visit https://alchemistlife.com/farming/
Online
Learn to keep bees: Beekind of Sebastopol is offering a beginner-friendly six-part video series on the essentials of beekeeping.
Beekeeping 101 online video lecture by beekeeper Doug Vincent goes over the essentials of backyard beekeeping, equipment, terminology and must-know first steps.
For details, cost and to sign up for access, visit https://beekind.com/beekeeping-101.
Beekind is located at 921 Gravenstein Hwy. S. in Sebastopol. For information, call 707-824-2905.
(Send Home & Garden related events to Yovanna.Bieberich@pressdemocrat.com)
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