GARDENING BOTANICAL GARDENS. The Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The TBG nursery is open from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday through Saturday. Guided tours of the gardens are at 10 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday. Regular attractions include Birds and Gardening tours at 9 a.m. Tuesday; Gardening for the Newcomer from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. the first Thursday and third Saturday of the month; the Native Seeds/SEARCH mini-museum of ethnobotanical displays, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and the TBG library, open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Regular admission to the gardens is $4, $3 for seniors, and free for members and children under 12. Visit the Gardens for the 9th annual Herb Fair from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10. A large selection of herb plants--including French tarragon, lemon grass, lavender, oregano, mints, echinacea, feverfew, and many varieties of basil--will be on sale. Garden docents will answer questions, and help you mix your own potpourri; vendors offer a large selection of sweet herbal oils, spicy vinegars, handmade crafts, candles, and more. Call 326-9255 for information. THANKS, MOM. The Tucson Botanical Gardens offers free admission to all from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11. Kids can make herbal sachets for Mom from 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Give your mom more flowers than she could imagine--bring her to the Botanical Gardens! COMPOST DEMONSTRATION. The Master Composters of the Tucson Organic Gardeners staff a compost demonstration site at the Tucson Botanical Gardens from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday to answer your composting questions. Call the Compost Assistance Line at 670-9158; or 883-0377. DRYLANDS INSTITUTE. The Permaculture Drylands Institute wants to teach you about sustainable living in drylands. They meet the second Tuesday of each month for a community breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Congress Grill, 100 E. Congress St. Call 744-9305 for information. GARDENING DEMONSTRATIONS. The following free demonstrations are offered at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Extension Garden Center, 4210 N. Campbell Ave.; and at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road: Find out ways to use water efficiently on May 14 with Coping with the Climate--Desert Gardening; and get the scoop on organic gardening on May 21. Demonstrations meet in the open and last about one hour. Call 626-5161 for information. GREEN VALLEY GARDENING. Green Valley Baptist Church. 1111 N. La Cañada. The Green Valley Cooperative Extension presents a series of free gardening lectures and demonstrations on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. On May 13, George Gries tells you How To Save Your Rainwater. Call 1-520-648-0808 for information. Out Of Town BOYCE THOMPSON ARBORETUM. Take a drive up to Boyce Thompson Arboretum for a beautiful change of pace. The cacti are in full bloom, with nearly 700 different varieties. In addition to the majestic cacti, the Arboretum's more than 120 varieties of iris are in bloom. Get an eyeful of the most delicate pinks, deepest, blackest purples, vibrant fuschias, brightest yellows and boldest oranges you've ever seen. Call 1-520-689-2723 for directions and tour information.

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