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A roundup of local home and garden news and events, including a homesteader’s fair and a water class.
HOMESTEADER’S FAIRE … Backyard gardeners, farmers, makers and fermenters alike are invited to Hidden Villa’s inaugural Homesteader’s Faire on Saturday, May 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public event will feature demonstrations about intentional living, stewardship and self reliance. There will be local food, music and activities for the whole family. The event is free but registration is required to receive a parking pass. Local hobbyists and professionals will be present to answer questions about bees, chickens, dairying, gardening, native plants, preserving, fermenting, fiber crafts and tanning, brewing, herbal remedies, wild foods, and meat curing. There also will be docent-led animal tours, crafts and games for kids and a skills-swap table. To get your parking pass, go to hiddenvilla.org.
FOCUS ON WATER … The City of Palo Alto will host a class on maintaining native-plant and drought-tolerant landscapes, as well as how to install irrigation devices and how to detect leaks. The talk will be Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mitchell Park Community Center’s El Palo Alto Room, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. To register, go to bawsca.org.
THE HOUZZ MAY CHECKLIST … Houzz.com’s Laura Gaskill has put together a “to do” list that can be completed in an hour or less this month to get ready for warmer weather. Check outdoor lighting, including porch lights, landscape lighting and motion-sensing security lights. Inspect kitchen and bath fixtures. Make a plan to re-grout or re-caulk around counters and tile as needed. If you come across any slow leaks, have these repaired as well. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, even if they still appear to be in working order. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace it if necessary. Giving your outdoor grill a deep cleaning before the start of the season will help it work more efficiently and prevent flare-ups. Clean the grates and interior with a grill brush and wash the exterior with warm, soapy water. Clean and organize your grilling tools and pick up charcoal or propane if needed. If you have a gas grill, be sure to check the fuel line for cracks and clean out any clogged burner holes. Maintain and repair garden paths. Create neat edges, pull weeds, fill in gravel paths and replace or re-position broken stepping stones.
