Happy April! It's a gorgeous time of the year, and our member farms, ranches, producers, and purveyors are bursting with springtime goodness. In this issue of our newsletter, we highlight fun on-farm workshops and experiences, ways to celebrate Earth Day, farms and nurseries to find everything you need to create a backyard oasis, plus the latest news along the Farm Trails.

Sonoma County is now in the Orange Tier of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. That means expanded indoor offerings and higher capacity are now allowed at restaurants, wineries, retails stores, and the like. Be sure to double check directly with each business before setting out for reservations, hours, and other important information. And, of course, please continue wearing masks and following all the other public health protocols.

Be sure to visit our website (FarmTrails.org) for lots more info on local farmers' markets, farms, eateries, and producers. As always, thank you for supporting local ag. Cheers!

Preserving the Season: Citrus and Herbs Workshop at Flatbed Farm: Join Flatbed Farm's Chef Amie as she shares her tips and tricks for preserving citrus and drying herbs. Follow along as she demonstrates how easy it is to make Meyer lemon curd. Afterward enjoy a tasting of Flatbed Farm herbal teas while discussing the health benefits of each herb. Then create your own personal blend during a hands-on herbal tea blending session. The workshop will be held Sunday, April 18, with morning and afternoon sessions. Click here to register. Mark your calendar for upcoming workshops: Make a Bouquet, Sunday May 23; Food as Medicine, Sunday, June 13. Also, shop for produce, pantry items, and vegetable and fruit plant starts at the farm stand every Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. 13450 Sonoma Highway 12, Glen Ellen.

Propagation Workshop & Lavender Plant Sales at Monte-Bellaria di California: Monte-Bellaria di California will reopen for weekend farm visits on Saturday, April 17. Wander the 9.5 acres of manicured lavender fields along with benches for taking in the views of the valleys and vineyards to the south. Public picnic tables are available if you want to enjoy a bring-your-own lunch. Anyone mentioning Farm Trails will get a 10% discount at the farm store. Estate-grown and -propagated lavender plants will also be for sale. No tickets are required for a farm visit in April or May. And on Sundays, April 18 and April 25, Monte-Bellaria will be hosting one of their most popular workshops: Propagating Plants from Cuttings. At this one-hour workshop you'll learn hands-on techniques from a commercial propagation operation. Each participant will make a cutting to take home. Click here to purchase tickets. 3518 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol. Open Saturdays and Sundays beginning April 17, 10 am to 4 pm.

Mother's Day Experience at Garden Valley Ranch: Celebrate motherhood amongst the blooming roses at Garden Valley Ranch on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9. Guests are invited to explore the magical rose farm and forage for fresh-cut flowers while enjoying the company of Garden Valley's many free-range farm animals. You are also welcome to bring a picnic and blanket during your stay. Guests will leave with a bucket full of flowers and full hearts. Click here to reserve your tickets. Also shop for roses at the nursery and online. Cottage rental and event hosting also available. 498 Pepper Road, Petaluma. (Photo below)

Bamboo Sourcery: This unique bamboo-exclusive specialty nursery is tucked among the forested hills near Sebastopol. They carry hundreds of bamboo varieties from all over the world and have beautiful and extensive demonstration gardens. Their selection features bamboos that are suitable for gardens in Northern and Central California microclimates. Visit by appointment.

Bounty Farm Plant Sale: There will be thousands of plants for sale on Sunday, April 25, 9 am to 3 pm, at the Bounty Community Farm. With over 27 types of affordably priced vegetables, herbs, and flowers, and 200 different varieties to choose from, everyone is sure to find something for their garden! Proceeds from the Annual Spring Plant Sale support the Bounty Community Farm Programs and other initiatives that provide healthy food to low-income families and seniors that may not otherwise be able to afford it. 55 Shasta Avenue, Petaluma.

Cottage Gardens of Petaluma: This nursery grows close to 90% of what they sell. They tend and care for the tiny young plants and seedlings in their 2+ acre growing grounds until they can be brought up to the retail part of their nursery and are ready to be planted out in your garden, from the seasonal-appropriate vegetable starts through our extensive perennial, vine, grass, fruit tree, rose and succulent collections. 3995 Emerald Drive, Petaluma. Open daily.

The Happy Dahlia Farm: This Petaluma dahlia farm is well known for their fields of flowers as well as community workshops and events. Now is the perfect time to order dahlia tubers online for your own garden. Visit the Happy Dahila website to place your order of the dozens of varieties, but be quick—they do sell out! And be sure to read their growing tips. (Photo inset)

Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery: Harmony is Sonoma County's premiere resource for organic farming and gardening: drip irrigation design and supplies, fertilizers, pest controls, cover crop and vegetable seed, tools, and books. They also have a nursery with an extensive array of edible (container and bare root), native, and drought-tolerant plants. Come in and let their friendly and knowledgeable team show you around. Two stores: 3244 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol; and 5400 Old Redwood Highway, Petaluma. Open daily.

Hidden Forest Nursery: This nursery specializes in growing Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and other super-cool and rare companion plants. The nursery is located in a Forest Sanctuary setting, with a spring-fed pond, a year-round creek, magnificent rare trees, and wondrous flowering plants. Nearly 2 miles of trails allow visitors to wander through 8 acres of gorgeousness. 3972 Azalea Lane. Open Thursdays to Mondays.

Island Breezes: This small Sebastopol nursery specializes in mountain bamboos, with characteristics of clumping, shade-loving, elegant, and of a small stature. They are noninvasive, good for any size garden, excellent in pots, and good for subtropical/tropical themes. By appointment only, please. Call for appointment: 707-887-8264.

Luther Burbank Experiment Farm: The historic site of plant breeder Luther Burbank's farm and cottage also has a nursery where you can purchase a variety of plants, including trees and perennials. Payment is by the honor system. While there, take the self-guided tour and learn more about this horticultural landmark. 7777 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol. Open daily.

Momiji Nursery: This nursery specializes exclusively in Japanese maples at their family-owned retail nursery in Santa Rosa. Since 1979, they’ve worked diligently to broaden the availability of unique and distinctive maples direct to the public, grafted and grown at their nursery. Choose from 250+ cultivars in a complete range of size and color from 1-gallon to 32” boxes. 2765 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. Open Thursdays to Mondays.

The Nursery at Emerisa Gardens: Shop at this retail nursery growing unusual and drought-tolerant plants. They offer a vast selection of perennials, herbs, grasses, shrubs, roses, Phormiums, and succulents. Friendly, knowledgeable staff can help you create the garden of your dreams. 555 Irwin Lane, Santa Rosa. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays.

SRJC Shone Farm Plant Sale: Shone Farm at Santa Rosa Junior College is hosting a curbside pickup plant sale. Order tomato, pepper, flower, and other veggie starts form their online store. Choose your pickup date: Fridays, April 16 to May 7, 1 to 4 pm; or Saturday, April 17, 10 am to 2 pm. 7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville.