10th Annual Capay Valley Mothers Day Garden Tour
We would like to extend a warm welcome to gardening enthusiasts to our unique valley on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 14th for the 10th annual Capay Valley Mother’s Day Garden Tour. Our valley is home to an amazing array of gardeners and farmers – from a 2 -acre homesteading garden to a 20- acre floral production field, we definitely have something to delight everyone. Nine gardens will be on display sprinkled throughout the valley towns of Esparto, Capay, Brooks, Guinda and Rumsey. Along with the gardens there are other points of interest including the new Seka Hills Olive Mill and wine tasting rooms and the Capay Valley Vineyards tasting room – both of which have special delights for mothers on their special day. The Yolo Grange Hall is providing a “local lunch box” for those wanting to purchase a locally sourced meal. The tour is self-guided so that you can take your time and linger at those gardens that really draw you in.
The gardeners themselves make the day an especially exceptional event. Annie Main from the Good Humus garden has a 30-year old botanical wonder of a garden that includes plants from her great grandmother interspersed with flowers and herbs that she uses in wedding arrangements and market bouquets. Her knowledge of plants and plant care is dizzying and she will be in the garden herself to answer any gardening questions.
For those looking to purchase plants, the Chamisa Ridge Nursery will be open all day. Their focus is on unique species and exceptional forms not readily available in the nursery trade. Their endeavor is to offer a list of plants, both beautiful and visually sympathetic with the spirit of the west, which can be used to create non-irrigated landscapes.
At Full Belly Farm we have pulled out all the stops for the day! Judith and Thomas’ Straw bale garden will be a fantastic showcase of Euphorbia’s, Yuccas, and native grasses, all surrounding their gorgeous self-built straw bale home. Judith’s touch in the garden has created a visual and olfactory masterpiece that meanders down steps near the Cache Creek riparian area of the farm. The flower fields at Full Belly will also be in full bloom boasting larkspur, peonies, godetias and calendulas all planted for production cut flowers. We even have some sunflowers starting to bloom.
The garden tour costs $10 per person, children under 14 are free. You may bring your own picnic and spread out under a tree at one of the gardens, or get a local lunch box, available for $10 each. All proceeds from the tour benefit community enhancement projects here in the valley. This year we will be donating to the renovation of the Will Baker Native Plant Garden. Please visit www.thecapayvalleygardentour.com to purchase tickets on line or call 530-796-3464 for more information.
–Dru Rivers
