The Good Life Garden of UC Davis’ Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science will present two public events during May. Reservations are required and can be made by contacting the Good Life Garden at (530) 754-4134. Tickets may be purchased with a credit card online at http://www.goodlifegarden.ucdavis.edu/event_list  or with checks, made payable to the UC Regents. Checks should be mailed to Katie Hetrick, Division of Buildings & Grounds, University of California, One Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616. Upcoming events include:

May 10, Sunday, 11 a.m. -- A special Mothers’ Day brunch, featuring Suzanne Ashworth, owner of West Sacramento’s Del Rio Botanical Farm, will be held in the UC Davis Good Life Garden in the courtyard of UC Davis’ Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science. Ashworth, a passionate seed saver, has devoted many years to growing a wide variety of endangered and little-known vegetable varieties. She and her staff evaluate these varieties and develop appropriate uses for them. Ashworth sells her seeds to seed companies and market farmers, and individuals can access her rare seeds through Seed Savers Exchange. She will speak about her seed-saving work before the brunch, which will feature her esoteric and exotic produce as well as some of Del Rio’s more recognizable spring crops. Tickets cost $65 per person.

May 23, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- A one-day seminar focused on “Backyard Edible Gardening: All About Fruits, Nuts and Berries” will provide an overview of how to establish, maintain and use a productive, edible backyard garden. The seminar, taught by University of California master gardeners and local gardening experts, will cover planning and planting a backyard orchard; selecting plant varieties; growing fruit in small spaces; and fertilization, irrigation, weeding, training pruning and pest management. The event will be held in the Silverado Vineyards Sensory Theater and the Good Life Garden of the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at UC Davis. Tickets cost $35 with a boxed lunch or $25 without lunch. In order to guarantee a reservation, checks must be received by May 15. (Please note that Good Life Garden's April 25 edible vegetable garden seminar is full but this edible garden seminar on fruits, nuts and berries is open.)