July 30, 2025

Visitors to the Sonoma County Fair this year will see a fresh, educational collaboration between the UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County and the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership. The two organizations are teaming up for a third year to create an educational demonstration garden in the patio outside the Hall of Flowers at the Sonoma County Fair. 

The garden, called “It’s Raining Cats and Dogs. Home Scale Practices to Retain the Rain,” features ways to slow, spread, and sink rainwater, improve soil health, create beneficial habitat, and showcases a variety of low-water-use plants recommended for the region. 

As Sonoma County experiences weather swings, from droughts to atmospheric rivers, water-saving landscape practices can build long-term climate resilience. The purpose of this garden demonstration is to show residential gardeners how to slow, spread, and sink rainwater by directing the flow of water from a downspout to a rain garden. A rain garden is a shallow depression that slows the flow of rainwater, uses plants to remove pollutants, and increases infiltration, allowing the water to slowly sink into the ground. Storing water in the soil for plants to use reduces the need for irrigation in the spring and fall months.

“You don’t need a fancy setup to make a big difference,” said Program Manager Mimi Enright with the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County. “With just a few simple changes, like redirecting a downspout or choosing the right plants, any garden can become a rain garden. It’s an easy way to save water, support pollinators, and make your yard more resilient year-round.”

The Sonoma County Fair runs from Aug. 1 through 10 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa.

Find out more about the demonstration garden at savingwaterpartnership.org/fair/.