Tampa garden notes

USF Botanical Gardens open house: Students can get free vegetable plots, meet the garden kitty and tour the gardens at the USF Botanical Gardens open house. Free. 9 a.m. today, University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, 12210 USF Pine Drive. (813) 910-3274. cas.usf.edu/garden.

Plant sale at the jail: Update your landscape at budget prices. Arrive early for the best selection of landscape plants, annuals, perennials and more, grown by the facility's Vocational Horticulture Program. Cash and check only. Proceeds benefit the horticulture program. Included in the sale are red maple, dwarf dragon fruit, firebush, ferns, Spanish thyme and more. No charge for admission. 8 a.m. to noon today, Falkenberg Road Jail, 520 N Falkenberg Road. (813) 744-5676.

Nature auction and Frolic with Frogs: Learn about the variety of frogs found in our area. Learn to recognize their calls, then try to identify them yourself on a frog and nature walk. Silent and live auctions for animal-related products precede the frog identification and walk. Flashlights required. No admission charge; $2 per car to park. 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. today, Lake Park and Dog Park, 17302 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz. (813) 310-7676.

Guided hike at Brooker Creek Preserve: Get up close to the environment in this 7-mile guided nature hike. See how the land has changed over time, and discuss the ecological footprints left by those changes. Wear closed-toed shoes, bring water and a hat. Best for ages 6 and up. Free, but is registration required. 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs. (727) 453-6800. brookercreekpreserve.org.

Volunteer orientation: Love plants? Learn how to be a part of the USF Botanical Gardens at 10 a.m. Saturday, University of South Florida Botanical Gardens, 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa. (813) 910-3274. cas.usf.edu/garden.

Begonia auction: Find better begonias at a meeting of the Begonia Society of Tampa Bay. Plants will be auctioned and raffled. Free admission. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Famous Tate Distribution Center, 6401 N 54th St. (863) 738-8722.

Fruits for Florida landscapes: Discover which fruits grow best in Florida climates and how to raise pesticide-free organic fruit at a fraction of the cost of store-bought varieties in John Starnes' class. $20. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Garden Classroom, 3212 W Paxton Ave. (813) 839-0881.

Silk flower arrangements: Carola Kenney will talk about "Silk Flower Arrangements" at the Orange Blossom Garden Club of Lutz meeting. Free. 10 a.m. Wednesday, Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave NW.

Flower arranging: Diane Stacy, owner of Town 'N Country Florist, will talk about "Flower Arranging" at the Town 'N Country Garden Circle meeting. Free. Noon Wednesday, Town 'N Country Recreation Center, 6039 Hanley Road.

Town 'N Country Garden Circle: The Garden Circle gathers for its monthly meeting with information on growing healthier plants and other garden topics. No charge. 12 p.m. Wednesday. This month, florist Diane Stacy shows how to artfully arrange flowers. Town 'N Country Recreation Center, 6039 Hanley Road. (813) 884-3462.