Ideas for home gardens tend to grow in the warmer seasons, but a local plant specialist is offering workshops that promote 365 days of urban farm-to-table eating.

A person could nibble their way through Alrie Middlebrook’s garden, the Middlebrook Center, located at 76 Race St. Lush vines and bushes sprawl and reach in every corner.

She hopes to teach everyone how to build a delicious meal from California native plants that grow year round.

“These are plants that take less energy,” she said, motioning to a patch of golden currant. “You can just go in the garden and pick a meal every day of the year. We want to show people how good these taste.”

Middlebrook and her staff have teamed with several local chefs to offer weekend cooking and gardening workshops, and a showcase menu of California edibles at the Eating California Fall Festival scheduled for Sept. 20, 5-10 p.m.

Plants such as cardoon, French sorrel and quail bush may be unfamiliar names, but each has indentifiable flavors and can be used in classic recipes from around the world.

The event menu, which uses many perennial and drought-tolerant plants, includes chef creations such as California hazelnut tarts with wild grapes, cold watercress garlic almond milk soup and wild salmon roasted in fig leaves.

Jon Bender, an employee at Middlebrook Center, said the purpose of events such as the festival and weekend workshops is to create awareness and empower people to grow sustainable foods at home and in community gardens.

Six local schools will be honored at the Eating California Fall Festival for their participation in the garden’s upkeep, and funds raised through admission prices will go toward ecology and farming education.

Middlebrook has partnered with schools, such as neighboring St. Leo, for her Environmental Laboratory for Sustainability and Ecological Education program, known as ELSEE, which introduces children to a host of topics using the garden as a jumping-off point.

“We want to help the children, too,” Middlebrook said. “It they learn about it, they’ll want to protect it. The best way to get that message across is through your stomach.”

Other courses for the event include sustainable wine, garden-brewed beer, a silent auction, jazz music and dancing.

Admission is $100/general, $75/workshop attendees, $50/educators and $15/students. Visit middlebrookcenter.com/elsee or call 408.292.9993 for tickets and more information.

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