Mothers’ Day Sunday always presents a plethora of options for families wanting to spoil that amazing mother (or grandmother!) for her special day. Well, we have a secret up here in the Capay Valley – the most perfect experience you could ever give your mom – the Capay Valley Mothers’ Day Garden Tour. Here are the top five reasons why this tour is exactly what that special mother (or gardening fanatic!) deserves for Mothers’ Day:
#1. It is in a spectacular setting. There is nothing more beautiful than this agricultural valley (that we are lucky enough to call home) in the middle of May. The Capay Valley is home to 5 small towns and winds through them all over 20 miles. The gardens are blooming, the temperature is typically ideal (usually in the mid 80’s) and best of all, the first fruit of the season will be starting with peaches, mulberries and strawberries!
#2. The Garden Tour is flexible in order to meet every mom’s needs. This self -guided tour lets you go when and where you want from 10 am to 5 pm. Spend the WHOLE day and visit all seven of these spectacular gardens or, if you just have a few hours, be picky and go to exactly the ones you have always wanted to see. The gardens are all so unique and each one has its own special charm. You may find it tough to choose which ones to visit!
#3. Stretch your legs and spend the day outside. So many Mothers’ Day options involve a day of lethargy and too much to eat. Get moving and stroll through fields of lavender, rows and rows of cut flower production, a garden designed for low water use with native plants or a plantation of olive trees. While those who want a more leisurely day can go at their own pace, there are plenty of possibilities for those with movement in mind. We guarantee fresh air and plenty of sunshine!
#4. Don’t spend too much money this Mothers’ Day and give it to a good cause! The Garden Tour is only $10 per adult, and children twelve and under are free of charge. Pretty darn reasonable in this day and age! Your dollars go towards a worthy cause. The tour is 100% a fundraiser for outdoor community projects in the Capay Valley. All proceeds from this tour will go towards establishing and enhancing garden projects in the communities of Esparto and the Capay Valley, including the historic Guinda Grange Hall restoration project. Thank you for helping keep the Capay Valley beautiful! The Grange Hall will have delicious boxed lunch available for sale for only $12, using locally sourced organic ingredients.
#5. Educate yourself throughout the day. This year we are increasing the number of workshops at some of the gardens – a flower crown class, two floral design classes (at Full Belly Farm) and especially for children, a chance to do hands on leaf and flower printing. All of these workshops last for an hour and the cost is $10 for some (while others are free!)
At Full Belly Farm we are pulling out all of the stops. We have three gorgeous gardens to choose from and LOTS of flower fields to enjoy, along with a few lovely grassy lawns for picnicking and running around. We will definitely have our yummy strawberries for sale and lots of flower bouquets designed by our own floral specialists! The floral design workshops will be at 11am and 2 pm and we will have a “pick your own bouquet” directly following the classes.
We hope to see you on the Mothers’ Day Garden Tour on Sunday May 13th. To purchase tickets online visit www.thecapayvalleygardentour.com. Tickets may also be purchased on Mothers’ Day in the Esparto Community Park. Please call with questions – 530-796-3464.
— Dru Rivers
