The arboretum beats spring to the punch this Saturday (March 10) with the first plant sale of the season. The Friend Us! sale, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, is for members only. Not a member, or, has your membership expired? Not a problem — you can join or renew at the gate. More information.

Next week, a Walk With Warren takes in the brilliant magenta bloom in the Warren G. Roberts Redbud Collection, named after the tour guide himself, Warren Roberts, the arboretum superintendent emeritus. From the redbud grove, the tour will go to Eric E. Conn Acacia Grove for another spectacular spring display. The walk is scheduled to begin at noon Wednesday, March 14, at arboretum headquarters in Valley Oak Cottage on La Rue Road.

MORE AT THE ARBORETUM

Folk Music Jam Session — Pull out your fiddles, guitars, mandolins, penny whistles, pipes, flutes, squeezeboxes — you name it! — and join your fellow musicians during the lunch hour for a little bluegrass, old-time, blues, Celtic, klezmer and other world music. All skill levels welcome. Listeners, too! Noon-1 p.m. Friday, March 16, and April 13 and 27, Wyatt Deck.

Guided tour: California Native Plants Spring To Life — Standouts in the spring native plant garden will be the focus of a tour of the Mary Wattis Brown Garden of California Native Plants. Two favorite California spring bloomers, ceanothus and redbud, should be in full bloom. 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Plant Sale Preview — Check out the remarkable plant inventory that will be available at the April 14 and May 19 plant sales. 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, Arboretum Teaching Nursery.

Another Walk With Warren — Warren Roberts, arboretum superintendent emeritus, guides this tour of native plant garden. Noon Wednesday, April 11, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

3Bs: Birds, Bees and Beneficials — Plant sale, focusing on attracting and supporting pollinators in the home landscape. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 14, Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Open to the public.

Some Like it Hot: Summer Bloomers and Sizzling Deals — Plant sale, end of season clearance sale with a focus on the stars of the summer garden. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Open to the public.

All programs are free and open to the public. More information: (530) 752-4880 or arboretum.ucdavis.edu (for directions, click on “Plan Your Visit”).

Follow Dateline UC Davis on Twitter.