Sunday March 18, 1 p.m. at Book Passage in Corte Madera. Amy Stewart talks about her new book “Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers,” ($23.95).

This is a fascinating exploration of the $40 billion global industry, much of it in Northern California – what has been gained and lost by tinkering with nature.

Contact: 927-0960, www.bookpassage.com, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd. Corte Madera

SF Flower & Garden Show
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Wednesday March 21 to Sunday March 25, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., closes Sunday at 6 p.m. The 22nd Annual San Francisco Flower and Garden Show at the Cow Palace, this year’s theme, “Living and Loving the Garden Life.”

Be sure to find “If Looks Could Kill,” a display garden by Matt Buchholz. He’s the co-owner of Novato’s own Suburban Habitat on Grant Avenue and the owner of Urban Habitat Design, www.suburbanhabitat.com. It will feature many common and not so common poisonous plants. Matt says we will be quite surprised!

Check out what’s new in garden trends; shop for hard to find specialty items, flowering orchids and a large selection of summer bulbs; enjoy their food court, wine and beer garden, kids’ activities, garden society displays and educational booths. Bring your camera(s.) You will find some great ideas here when you see these 23 incredible display gardens.

Free talks and workshops alone are worth the price of the $20 admission. Garden centers are currently selling advance tickets for $17. Discounted tickets are available for students, groups and children, ages 5 and under are free. Parking is $8. Contact: (800) 569-2832, www.gardenshow .com, 2600 Geneva Ave. at Santos Street, Daly City.

Classes

Saturday March 31, 2 to 5 p.m. “Growing Gardens from Garbage: Making the Most of Compost, Mulch & Soil” at the Hill Community Room in the Margaret Todd Senior Center.

Healthy soil is the secret to keeping plants beautiful and problem free. Learn how to protect and build your garden soil through composting and mulching (including sheet mulching) in this hands-on workshop. Learn how to “read” your soil, how to get soil micro-organisms to improve it for you. Bring a “baggie” full of your own garden soil and a clear jar with a tight fitting lid. In the last half- hour, make and take home a worm bin of your own, complete with red wigglers!

MCSTOPPP (Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program) brings their excellent gardening classes to Novato. Course instructor is Debi Tidd, Education Director at The Gardens at Heather Farm in Walnut Creek. Co-sponsored with the City of Novato Parks & Recreation. Registration: 899-8290. Cost: $25 with worm bin $20 without worm bin

Spring Hikes

Marin Open Space District sponsors ranger led hikes all over Marin County, some in partnership with the Marin Chapter of the California Native Plant Society. During prime wildflower and birdwatching season there may be two to four each week. This is a great way to get exercise, make new friends, become educated in the differences between native habitat plants and animals and exotic invasives. Hikes are rain or shine unless there is a storm; bring boots, snack and water. Here is one in Novato: Sunday, March 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indian Valley Open Space

Start the day with a look at the insect and amphibian life in a freshwater pond, and then search for birds and spring wildflowers in the hardwood forests along the north slope of Big Rock Ridge. Meet at the parking area at the west end of Indian Valley College (take Ignacio Blvd. and follow all the way to the last parking lot, by the police station).

Contact David Herlocker at 499-3647, dherlocker@co.marin.ca.us, www.marinopenspace.org

By Jeanne Santangelo via : www.novatoadvance.com