I'm digging into community gardening this spring in a big way. And at the same time, I'm testing my own advice.

For our Bee Garden project, I've signed up for a plot at the new all-organic community garden in Sacramento's Bill Bean Jr. Memorial Park on 17th Avenue. I plan to plant a variety of tomatoes, squash, melons, beans, peppers and other veggies, then pass on my observations via this column. The raised beds are brand new, so I'm literally starting this project from the ground up. So far, I've added about a cubic yard of redwood compost to the 10- by 15-foot space.

Like many gardeners right now, I'm struggling with the question: How much to plant?

One zucchini can bear 100 squash (but not all at once). Depending on weather, variety, soil, sun, water, fertilizer, pests and luck, one tomato vine can produce three tomatoes or 300 (I've experienced both extremes).

A standard estimate is 15 to 20 pounds per plant, although heirloom varieties may produce far less. I like to can tomatoes, so I'm starting with six plants, all different. But will I be ready to tackle 100 pounds of tomatoes? Stay tuned.

Roses for Mother's Day

Warm weather has brought out a blooming extravaganza at the World Peace Rose Garden in Capitol Park.

Co-founder T.J. David estimates that the garden, along 15th Street between L and N streets, will have more than 30,000 blooms open this weekend – just in time for Mother's Day.

"We've worked really hard to improve on where we were last year," David said.

That's saying a lot. In 2010, the Capitol garden was named one of the "Top 10 Best Public Rose Gardens in America" by the All-America Rose Selections. HotelsCombined.com also named it as one of the world's top 10 places to propose on Valentine's Day.

It's popular for weddings, too, David noted. Reservations are now being accepted for the garden's Peace Pavilion for weddings and other events via the California Highway Patrol's State Capitol Park office, (916) 445-3876 or by email at capitolpermits@chp.ca.gov. There is no charge, David said, but a permit application must be approved.

This week, the garden was scheduled to get a new addition: a spectacular 8-foot, four-tier fountain.

"It's going to add so much to the garden," David said. "It's white and elegant. I think people will be thrilled to get married next to the fountain."

A fundraiser hosted by the Jesuit High School drama department helped pay for the new fountain, surrounded by the garden's 670 rose bushes in 161 varieties.

Unlike many Sacramento rose gardens this spring, the Capitol display escaped an early bout of black spot and other fungal diseases. David credits that to an all-organic program fostered by the state's Department of General Services, which cares for the garden on a daily basis. To protect against fungus and disease, the DGS crew uses Organocide, which contains edible fish oil, sesame oil and lecithin, plus Green Cure, a potassium bicarbonate-based spray. The bushes were fed alfalfa meal, blood meal and bone meal.

Said David, "What's exciting is people think when you grow roses, you need chemicals, but this garden shows you can have beautiful roses organically."

Capay Valley tour

An unusual mix of organic farms and gardens are part of a Mother's Day tour that will explore the Capay Valley from Esparto to Rumsey. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, the tour features three organic farms and orchards, a winery, the Cache Creek Lavender Farm and an 1880s farmhouse with roses and perennials dating back a century. Tickets are $10 with proceeds supporting the Will Baker Memorial Native Plant Garden in Guinda. Call (530) 796-3464 or click on www.capayvalleygardentour.com.

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Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 321-1075.

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