Registration for the free Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour will close on Sunday, April 24. Over 5,000 people are expected to register for this annual event, which takes place on Sunday, May 1, 2016, and will fill; register now to ensure a place.  (If you have already registered, please don’t register again.  Not sure whether or not you have registered?  Search your in- and spam-box for a confirmation e-mail from Kathy@KathyKramerconsulting.net.)

Native Plant Sale Extravaganza – On the weekend of April 30 / May 1, during the Tour’s Native Plant Sale Extravaganza, a number of native plant nurseries will be open from 10:00—5:00.  Native plants will also be sold at select gardens on Sunday, May 1, the day of the Tour. Check the website for details. 

You could win a free front yard garden design! The talented Kelly Marshall, of Kelly Marshall Garden Design has donated a free front yard garden design to the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour to be given away in a drawing. Here’s how you enter: Register for the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour; attend the Tour on Sunday, May 1, 2016;.  Complete the on-line evaluation that will be e-mailed to you on the day of the Tour. That’s it!  (The winning garden must be located in Alameda or Contra Costa County.)  Those who complete evaluations will automatically be entered into the drawing.  The winner will be announced on Sunday, May 29. (Please note, the garden must be located in Alameda or Contra Costa counties.)

There is still room in these last two spring workshops; read full descriptions and register for them here. 

Saturday, April 23, 10:00-3:00, Walnut Creek

Introducing The New California Lawn, led by Michael Thilgen of Four Dimensions Landscape Company 

Saturday, June 11, 10:00–3:00 Oakland

“How to install a drip irrigation system, lower your water bill, and get paid for it, too!, led by Kim Titus of the Urban Farmer, Jennifer Smith of the Greensmith, and Kathy Kramer of the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

Over the next week and a half a number of this year’s Tour gardens will be featured on the Garden Tour's Facebook page; visit it to see lists of gardens with plant sales, gardens where you can meet the designers, gardens with music or children’s activities, the best bird gardens, gardens with oak woodlands, rain gardens, local native plant gardens, and more. 

Applications for the 2017 Tour are still being accepted.  Garden visits have already begun, and will end in July.  Please send in your application and plant list now if you are interested in offering your garden for the Sunday, May 7, 2017 Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour. 

Kathy Kramer

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Coordinator
(510) 236-9558
kathy@kathykramerconsulting.net
www.bringingbackthenatives.net