Published: Sep 22, 2015 | 09:00 AM

IRWD to Participate in Urban Landscape and Garden Expo

The annual Urban Landscape and Garden Education Expo is set for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine. The facility is located at 7601 Irvine Boulevard. This is the seventh year that Irvine Ranch Water District participated in this event.

Included in the daylong event are guided garden walks, discussions about gardening and irrigation practices, and plant sales. Fifty percent of all household water use is in the yard, so visitors will learn about drought-friendly plants and how they can reduce water use around the landscape.

There is no charge for admission to this event. Here's a sampling of what customers can expect at the open house:

• Docent-led tours
• A RightScape presentation by IRWD
• Children's activity - seed planting and match-the-seed game
• Urban chickens - how to raise and care for chickens
• Sampling of fruit grown at the Extension Center
• Garden tool sharpening by the OC Blacksmith Guild
• Tram tours of the demonstration orchard
• Irrigation demonstrations

Visit the South Coast Research and Extension Center website for information.