It’s fair time! It’s time for us to relax and enjoy our local Marin County Fair, complete with deep-fried Oreos, pig races, carnival games, 4-H bunnies and the UC Marin Master Gardeners’ engaging and educational exhibit where you can learn gardening practices that benefit rather than harm the environment.

Want to become a more Earth-friendly gardener? We’re here to help. Stop by our tent to see how it’s done. Immerse yourself in the lush garden filled with plants carefully selected to thrive in our Mediterranean climate. Plants will be well-labeled to help you take notes about those you need to add to your garden. Plan to spend some time learning from Marin Master Gardeners at our twice-daily, free 30-minute talks on the how-tos of Earth-friendly gardening. (A complete list of speakers is available at marinmg.ucanr.edu/ASK_US/EVENTS/COUNTYFAIR.) Visit our resource desk for answers to your garden questions. Get to know your local master gardeners — we love to help you with all things garden related.

This exhibit in the fair is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 3 through 7 at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael. Look for the big white tent next to the pig races.

July 3 is Children’s Day. (Adults are welcome, too.) Children are invited to try their luck at spinning the Earth-friendly garden trivia wheel to learn which critters live underground to build healthy soil and help plants thrive. Don’t miss the scavenger hunt to find some garden helpers in our exhibit gardens.

Enjoy 30-minute speaker presentations at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. July 4 through 7.

July 8 offers a once-a-year opportunity to purchase outstanding plants from the demonstration gardens from 7 to 9 a.m., first come, first served. Cash or checks only please.

Here’s some of the fun that can be had:

• The “splashless” demonstration xeriscape garden will acquaint you with beautiful options for low- and no-water plants.

• See and feel native grasses and groundcovers that are easy

to grow, beneficial to the Earth and are excellent replacements for water-hogging lawns.

• Learn about California natives and other “low-splash” plants that welcome pollinators.

• See our integrated display that entices bees and butterflies to pollinate your fruits and veggies.

• Gather ideas and tips for your Earth-friendly container gardening on your patio, porch or balcony.

• Visit our resource desk for answers to your Earth-friendly gardening questions.

• Sign up for a personal home visit by Marin Municipal Water District-trained garden walkers to assist you with water efficiency, irrigation systems, soil health and maintenance, as well as leak detection and system faults.

• Learn about the UC Marin Master Gardeners program and how you can join us. Applications are currently available on our website, marinmg.ucanr.edu, and will close on Aug. 30.

• Have a seat in our lovely garden and learn from an excellent lineup of speakers on a broad range of topics, including 20 great plants for Marin gardens, herbs for all seasons and backyard composting.

Every action that uses Earth-friendly practices inches us toward a healthier environment — one garden at a time, one gardener at a time.

We can’t wait to share our knowledge with you at the fair!

Sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension, the University of California Marin Master Gardeners provides science- and research-based information for Marin home gardeners. Email questions to helpdesk@marinmg.org. Attach photos for inquiries about plant pests or diseases. Please call 415-473-4910 to see when a master gardener will be at the office or drop off samples 24/7 in the sample box outside the office. To attend a gardening workshop or subscribe to Leaflet, a free quarterly e-newsletter, go to marinmg.ucanr.edu.