The annual Residential Demonstration Landscape Open House and Vendor Fair is set for Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Coasdt Research and Extension Center in Irvine. The The facility is located at 7601 Irvine Boulevard. This is the fifth consecutive year that UC Extension and Irvine Ranch Water District cooperated on 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 residents can find out how to cut back on watering and save money.

There is no charge for admission to this event. Here is a sampling of what customers can expect at the Open House:

• A discussion about edible landscaping
• Home ant control, easy as 1,2,3
• Irrigation product information
• A demonstration on self-watering vegetable garden containers
• Composting – learn how to turn yard waste into black gold
• Children’s activity – planting seeds
• Sample varieties of fruit grown at the South Coast Research and Extension Center
• Free tool sharpening by OC Blacksmiths
• Random opportunities throughout the day

Visit the South Coast Research and Extension Center website, or contact Tammy Majcherek at (949) 733-3970 for more information.

Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500