Local home and garden calendar

Exhibition

Southern Spring Home & Garden Show: Featuring exhibits and workshops for gardening, decorating and home improvement, The Park Expo and Conference Center, 2500 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte. Feb. 29-March 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 2, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; March 3, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and March 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Adults tickets are $10 at the door; children under 15 are free with paying adult. Parking is $6. www.southern springhomeandgardenshow.com

Fifth Annual Spring at the Garden Festival: Featuring more than 40 vendors selling plants, garden art, tools, jewelry and more. Also includes hands-on gardening demonstrations, crafts and activities for kids, live music in the amphitheater and fun activities for the whole family. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., March 24, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Free with Riverbanks membership. (803) 779-8717 or riverbanks.org.

Tours

City Strolls, Robert Mills House and Gardens: Robert Mills Historic District: Historic Columbia Foundation will host a guided tour of the Robert Mills Historic District on March 9. Guests can enjoy the charm of this in-town neighborhood as they walk past some of Columbia’s oldest remaining homes. Tickets cost $6 and can be purchased at the Museum Shop, 1616 Blanding St. Information: (803) 252-1770, ext. 24

Dollar Sundays, Robert Mills House and Gardens: Take a guided tour of historic house museums 1-5 p.m. March 18 for $1. Purchase tickets at the Museum Shop, 1616 Blanding St. Information: (803) 252-1770, ext. 24, or email aposner@historiccolumbia.org

W. Gordon Belser Arboretum: Monthly open house will be held 1-4 p.m. March 18, 4080 Bloomwood Road. The arboretum is a collection of plant communities consisting of 10 different habitats, a waterfall, a botanical garden and many unique exhibits. Information: (803) 777-3934

Garden Tours, Robert Mills House and Gardens: This 60-minute guided tour is March 15. Guests can compare and contrast the visual aesthetics of late 18th- and 19th-century landscape gardening to an earlier-style English boxwood garden based on formal French gardens. Tickets cost $6. Information: (803) 252-1770, ext. 24, or email aposner@historiccolumbia.org.

Charleston’s 65th Annual Spring Festival of Houses and Gardens: Set amid the historic district, this series of tours showcases Charleston’s architecture, history, garden and culture. Guests can go inside the private houses and gardens of some residences dating back to the 18th century. The tours are March 22-April 21. Tickets are on sale now. (843) 722-3405. historiccharleston.org

Workshops and Seminars

Basics of Aquaponics Workshop: Gain a basic knowledge of how aquaponic systems function, designs, what makes them sustainable and how to design and create your own system. Presented by Davis Johnson, Matt Kip and Eric McClam, 6 p.m. March 1, City Roots Urban Farm, 1005 Airport Blvd., (803) 255-0834

What You Need to Know About Pruning: Presented by Garden Like a Master.

•  7 p.m. March 1, Southeast Regional Branch, Richland County Public Library, 7421 Garners Ferry Road. (803) 776-0855

•  10 a.m. March 2, Cooper Branch, Richland County Public Library, 5317 N. Trenholm Road. (803) 787-3462

Lexington County Master Gardeners and S.C. Midlands Master Gardeners Upcoming Presentations:

•  Shade Gardening, 10 a.m., March 3, Batesburg-Leesville Branch, Lexington County Public Library, 203 Armory St., Batesburg, (803) 532-9223

•  Spring Bulbs for Your Garden, 10 a.m. March 9, Irmo Branch, Lexington County Public Library, 6251 St. Andrews Road, (803) 798-7880

•  Spring Bulbs for Your Garden, 2 p.m. March 10, Cayce-West Columbia Branch, Lexington County Public Library, 1500 Augusta Road, West Columbia, (803) 794-6791

• Trees and Shrubs, 2 p.m. March 22, Main Branch, Lexington County Public Library, 5440 Augusta Road, Lexington, (803) 785-2600

Simple Landscape Design Principles: Ruchelle Gee will help you think through your design and offer ideas to help you get started, 10 a.m. March 3, Wingard’s Nursery, 1403 N. Lake Drive, Lexington. Fee is $25, and you will receive a $25 gift certificate to use at Wingard’s. Register at wingardsnursery.com or (803) 359-9091.

Simple Flower Arrangements: Bring a small container or vase to this class and learn some basic tips for creating floral arrangements, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 3, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway. Learn techniques to use fresh flowers incorporated with other unexpected items such as fruit, fabric, lace, ribbon and more. Everyone will make a small table top arrangement to take home. $30 per person. Register at riverbanks.org or call (803) 779-8717.

S.C. Organic Growing Conference: Presented by The S.C. Organization for Organic Living, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 10, Presbyterian College, 503 S. Broad St., Clinton. Price is $62. Your ticket entitles you to lunch and four classes taught by professional growers, farmers and other food system experts. Register at brownpapertickets.com/event/222295

Other

Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia Meeting: Ikebana Flower Arranging will be presented by Doris Kahn and Cheryl Martino, 9 a.m. Feb. 27, Garden Council Building, 1605 Park Circle, Maxcy Gregg Park.