As California’s drought continues, a grassroots group in beautiful Orange County’s historic San Juan Capistrano is teaching new ways to save water by beautifying your garden and home.
Thousands of garden lovers from throughout Southern California are expected to attend this year’s two-day Eco-Garden Expo April 23 and April 24 in San Juan
Capistrano’s Los Rios Park, 31747 Los Rios St.
There is no entry fee, and the events runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Hosted by the nonprofit organization Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens, the theme of this year’s event is “Year of the Child: Today’s Seeds. Tomorrow’s Harvest.” It offers a perfect opportunity to learn more about the wide variety of
drought-friendly options available for inside and outside the home.
The event is free and will feature a wide variety of plants for sale as well as a vast array of environmentally friendly products, resources and services from more than 75 vendors from around the region. The event also will include water-saving demonstration gardens, habitat gardens, edible landscapes, electric cars, solar and free seminars from top landscape and environmental experts.
Even getting there is environmentally friendly: Metrolink and Amtrak trains stop just a few yards from the park. “This event promises to be our best ever. I’m so excited to help other gardening enthusiasts learn all about the wonderful ways we can diversify and beautify our homes while helping save one of our most critical natural resources,” said Marianne Taylor, Goin Native’s executive director.
Marianne is a California native who lives just down the street from the event location. Her home is a showcase in their neighborhood, the Los Rios Historic District, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983.
Goin Native Therapeutic Gardens has cared for native California plants at Los Rios Park since 2009. The organization promotes horticultural education, emotional and physical rehabilitation and practical life skills to people of all ages, abilities and background while promoting environmental sustainability and saving
community resources.
