THE COASTAL GARDENER:

You missed the Green Scene at The Fullerton Arboretum last weekend. You missed the Tustin Garden Club’s home garden tour on Thursday. You even missed the Fullerton Beautiful Garden Tour, The Theodore Payne Garden Tour and The Ecke Garden Tour.

Silly you. But don’t fret; we’re still in the midst of spring, and you can still get your spring plant and garden fix. Beginning this weekend, and continuing over the next nine days, there are no fewer than six good reasons to get out of your garden at least for a few hours. Even better, all the reasons are in Orange County.

Today and Sunday are the final two days of the Southern California Spring Garden Show. The show occupies all three floors of the northern annex at South Coast Plaza, adjacent to The Macy’s Home Store and the big Crate & Barrel store. Nearly a hundred vendors, seminars throughout the day, children’s activities and competition landscapes will keep you busy.

The show is free, but clear out your trunk and back seat before you leave the house. Due to the good prices and large selection of interesting plants and products, you might be bringing home some unexpected treasures. The show is open all day today until 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Visit www.springgardenshow.com.

If being outdoors is more to your liking, there are two self-guided home garden tours this weekend. Today and Sunday the beautiful Floral Park neighborhood of Santa Ana, near the intersection of North Park Boulevard and Benton Way, will be hosting the 16th Annual Floral Park Garden Tour. The homes are historic, and the gardens are mature, large and impressive. Tickets are available at the site either today or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.floral-park.com.

Sunday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in San Juan Capistrano is the Castles to Cottages Tour of five home gardens. Tickets are available at any of the five gardens. Addresses are available at www.capoanimalrescue.com. This well organized tour benefits The Capistrano Animal Rescue Effort, a nonprofit organization.

I’ll be taking Thursday off to see the gardens of North Laguna Beach. The Gate and Garden Walking Tour features nine gardens that are easily walked in an afternoon. The gardens are open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., but advance tickets are necessary and always sell out early. Ticket availability and information can be found at www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org. Perhaps I’ll see you there.

If California’s native plants are your garden focus, then May 2 and 3 are for you. The Spring Native Gardens Tour, organized by local chapters of the California Native Plant Society and the Audubon Society will include 11 home gardens. The gardens are throughout the county in the neighborhoods of Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Orange, Tustin, Santa Ana, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Visit any or all between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. No ticket is necessary, but a small donation is requested and may be left at any of the gardens. Addresses and garden profiles will be available on the days of the tour at www.occnps.org.

Finally, on May 3 and 4, the famous Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour will commence. This yearly self-guided charity event is the most extensive home garden tour in Orange County, with more than 40 gardens open for viewing this year. The gardens are all the work of passionate do-it-yourself gardeners — or as Mary Lou would say, “Real gardens, by real gardeners.” Tickets are not necessary, but donations are requested at any or all of the gardens. Tour hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. For maps and details visit www.heardsgardentour.com.

The next nine days in Orange County promise an abundance of interesting plants to buy, great gardens to visit and wonderful people to meet. Don’t miss the chance; these opportunities won’t come around for another year. It’s time to put your own garden chores aside for a little while and enjoy our local garden shows and garden tours. See you there.

ASK RON

Question: Is there a pet-safe, animal safe, organic way to keep algae out of my fountain and bird bath?

Beth

Newport Beach

Answer: Yes. Rather than use chlorine- or algaecide-based products, which are harmful to animals and fish and pollute our water, look for a product called Microbe-Lift Fountain Clear. It can be used for indoor or outdoor fountain or waterfalls, as well as birdbaths with no ill effects. It helps prevent crusty white scale and hard-water stains while keeping the water clear and free from organic debris, like algae. The all-natural, biodegradable ingredients are safe for birds, fish, wildlife, humans, pets, aquatic plants and lawns.

ASK RON your toughest gardening questions, and the expert nursery staff at Roger’s Gardens will come up with an answer. Please include your name, phone number and city, and limit queries to 30 words or fewer. E-mail stumpthegardener@rogersgardens.com, or write to Plant Talk at Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

RON VANDERHOFF is the Nursery Manager at Roger’s Gardens, Corona del Mar.