Food and edible gardening draw Sacramento residents to 'Harvest Day'

Billed as Sacramento's "ultimate gardening event," the annual Harvest Day hosted by UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners attracted thousands to the program's demonstration garden in Fair Oaks last Saturday.

Visitors tried cherry tomatoes, heirloom melons and table grapes grown by Master Gardeners at the facility. Dave Wilson Nursery provided new pluot, plum, peach and nectarine varieties for sampling.

Saving water and growing food were major themes of the event, reported Debbie Arrington in the Sacramento Bee.

"There's a lot of concern about water,” said Judy McClure, coordinator of the Sacramento UCCE Master Gardener program. “Because of that, we really increased our information and focus on water during Harvest Day. Attendees can actually talk to their water providers about rebates and (other programs) at the event. They also can see what we're doing in the garden to save water.”

UC Cooperative Extension already has next year's Harvest Day on the calendar. It will be Aug. 1, 2015, however, in the meantime the Master Gardener program hosts a multitude of events and classes at the horticulture center throughout the year. For more information see the Sacramento Master Gardeners website.

Visitors taste a variety of stone fruit at the UC Cooperative Extension Harvest Day.

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