Tomatomania Returns to Roger’s Gardens for Its 15th Year

The world’s largest and most fun tomato plant sale returns to Roger’s Gardens from Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 8, marking the 15th year of the beloved Tomatomania event. Led by tomato expert Scott Daigre and his team of self-proclaimed Tomatomaniacs, the annual sale features an astonishing lineup of more than 300 heirloom and hybrid tomato varieties, including new introductions for 2026. The highly anticipated Tomato of the Year will be announced soon.

More than a plant sale, Tomatomania is a full-on garden experience. Over ten days, tomato lovers and home gardeners can explore an unmatched selection of plants, get expert guidance, and find everything needed to grow standout tomatoes at home.

This year’s collection spans classic favorites such as Brandywine and Cherokee Purple, alongside exciting newcomers like dwarf heirlooms and productive hybrids. Look for eye-catching varieties including the blue-splashed Two Tasty, the vibrant orange grape Vivacious, and Cowboy, a massive, rust-colored Canadian beefsteak that always turns heads.

To make browsing easy, plants will be organized alphabetically, with dedicated sections for Miniatures, Tomatoes of the Year, and Roger’s Recommends. For those who want first pick, an online presale allows guests to preview the full selection and reserve favorites in advance.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener or planting tomatoes for the first time, knowledgeable staff will be on hand with advice on variety selection, care tips, and techniques to maximize flavor and yield. Videos and in-person conversations with fellow tomato enthusiasts round out the experience, helping set the stage for a successful tomato season.

When: Friday, Feb. 27, through Sunday, March 8, daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar
Cost: Free
More information: www.rogersgardens.com/pages/tomatomania

Trail Runners Welcome Spring at Whiting Ranch

Trail runners and hikers are invited to welcome the first full day of spring at the fourth annual Whiting Ranch Trail Races on March 21 at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Trabuco Canyon. 

Directed by Costa Mesa native Amanda Pennington, the event offers four distance options, including a 6K, 10K, half marathon and 30K, with courses that wind through rolling hills, native oak groves and open stretches with sweeping views of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. 

Runners can expect a well-supported experience with fully stocked aid stations and an encouraging volunteer crew along the way, making it approachable for first-timers and rewarding for seasoned trail runners alike. Hikers are also welcome on the 6K and 10K routes. 

Registration is open at ultrasignup.com, and readers can receive $25 off any distance with the code GREERSOC. More information is available at whitingranchtrailraces.run.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, 27901 Glenn Ranch Rd, Trabuco Canyon.

Image Courtesy @lugo_lugo

A Valentine’s Night Inside the Films of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman

Pacific Symphony presents “Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton” on Feb. 13 and 14 at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The theatrical concert experience invites audiences into the imaginative, slightly twisted worlds shaped by filmmaker Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman, celebrating one of cinema’s most enduring creative partnerships. With Elfman’s instantly recognizable scores front and center, the evening blends fantasy, romance and whimsy in a way that feels both cinematic and completely at home on the concert stage.

Led by conductor Sarah Hicks, the orchestra is joined by violinist Sandy Cameron and the California State University, Fullerton University Singers. Together, they pull listeners deep into Elfman’s imaginative soundscape, one inspired by old Hollywood, circus flair, gothic romance and sweeping late Romantic traditions. The concert is part of the Pacific Symphony Pops series and takes place Feb. 13 and 14 at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Paired with visuals, the program features music from films including Batman, Big Fish, Beetlejuice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Drawn from Elfman’s original scores and arranged into lush orchestral suites, the music captures his signature mix of gothic beauty, mischievous humor and emotional depth.

Cameron, widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of Elfman’s music, brings a dramatic and expressive presence to the stage. Her soaring violin solos add emotional weight to some of the composer’s most lyrical moments, including music from Edward Scissorhands.

The CSUF University Singers add another layer of drama and texture, underscoring Pacific Symphony’s ongoing collaboration with local arts and education partners. Their voices heighten the emotional pull of the performance while spotlighting rising local talent.

Together, orchestra, soloist, singers and visuals create a richly theatrical evening where fantasy, nostalgia and storytelling meet. It is a Pops concert that speaks to film lovers, symphony fans and anyone drawn to the beautifully offbeat worlds that have defined Burton and Elfman’s work for decades.

Tickets start at $61 and are available at PacificSymphony.org or by calling the box office at 714-755-5799. The concerts are underwritten by the Sharon J. and Thomas E. Malloy Family, with additional support from Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, The Park Club, PBS SoCal and K-EARTH 101.