Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7 | 9 AM – 4 PM
🌿 Free Admission | Dog Friendly | Free Parking 🌿
FREE PARKING IN THE GARDEN LOT AND AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON THESE DAYS
🍅🌿 Tomatomania! at The Water Conservation Garden 🌞🍅
Tomatomania! returns to The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon for our southernmost event of the 2026 season and we couldn’t be more excited! Join us for a two-day tomato celebration as we transform the Garden with more than 75-80 unique tomato varieties to kick off your summer growing season.
As always, we’re focusing on the exceptional – no modern hybrids or Early Girl this weekend! – just rare discoveries, beloved heirlooms, and tried-and-true classics selected to thrive in Southern California gardens.
While you’re here, explore the Garden’s six acres of stunning drought-tolerant landscapes, along with immersive educational exhibits that demonstrate how gardening and water conservation work hand in hand in the reclaimed desert we call home.
Guests can also expect fertilizers and garden goodies available on-site to help your tomato season flourish! The Rush Coffee Truck will be onside both days from 9am-1pm
FREE PARKING IN THE GARDEN LOT AND CUYAMACA COLLEGE ON THESE DAYS
🍅🌿 Event Details 🌞🍅
Time: 9AM-4PM (Friday and Saturday)
Parking: Garden and College parking is FREE both days
Friday Workshop
11AM-12PM
Tomato Friends: Companion Planting
register HERE
Saturday Workshop
10AM-11AM
Irrigation 102: How much and how often?
register HERE
Partner Booths
Helix Water District (Saturday)
Otay Water District (Friday)
Waterscape Rebate Program (Friday)
Master Gardener Association of San Diego (Saturday)
Cuyamaca Outreach (Friday & Saturday)
Sweetwater Authority (Friday & Saturday)
Rush Coffee Truck: 9AM-1PM
Heritage of the Americas Museum
Open 10AM-4PM
Rock and Gem Sale!
SEE YOU THERE!
Tomato Friends: Plants that can help your tomatoes flourish!
with Wild Made Design
March 6th
11:00am-12:00am
in the Samuel Ciccati Education Center
Class Details:
Many other harvestable plants can work in tandem with your tomatoes, increasing the productivity and diversity of your tomato bed. During this workshop we will go into ways to create healthy soil during the off-season and what can be great companion plants when the tomatoes are growing! Come and see who would make spectacular friends for your tomatoes.
Irrigation 101: How Much and How Often?
With Richard Restuccia
March 7
10:00am-11:00am
in the Samuel Ciccati Education Center
Class Details:
Learn the basics of water-efficient irrigation! Discover how to determine your plants’ water needs, measure what your system delivers, and use that knowledge to program your controller effectively. Perfect for beginners. Led by Richard Restuccia, acclaimed author of Waterwise Gardening, this class shows you how to grow a thriving, water-wise landscape while using less water.
