THISWEEK

Halawa Xeriscape Garden, 527-6113: Free admission to garden of dry-land plants at Halawa Industrial Park 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays. Guided tours are free on Thursdays and the last Saturday of each month; call 527-6113 for an appointment.

Hawaii Nature Center, 2131 Makiki Heights Drive, 955-0100: Gardeners 10-years-old and up will get a first-hand look at composters in actual operation, 9:30 to 11 a.m. tomorrow. Cost: $7. Call for reservations at 955-0100.

Hawaiian Botanical Society, 3190 Maile Way, 956-3925: Kenneth Nagata from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will speak on the department's international pre-clearance program titled "Dutch Flower Bulb Inspections," 7:30 p.m. Monday, University of Hawaii-Manoa, St. John Hall, Room 011. Jean-Yves Meyer will also give a short presentation on "Tahitian Flora Endangered by Miconia Calvescens."

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, 233-7323: Volunteer training program for people interested in becoming nature tour leaders, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays, tomorrow through May 17. Participants should attend all seven classes.

Learn about rain forest plants 10 a.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. Free. Bring walking shoes, bug repellent, rain gear and a picnic.

Compost workshop, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every fourth Saturday of the month. Bring walking shoes, insect repellent, rain gear and work gloves.

Kahala HydroGreenery, 735-8665: Free hydroponic classes offered 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturdays in April, except April 26. Reservations are required.

Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, 988-7378: How to grow Honohono orchids with Lloyd Esaki, 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. tomorrow in the downstairs classroom. Limited enrollment. The cost is $15.50.

Urban Garden Center, 453-6050: Gardening series classes are offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 962 Second St. in Pearl City. Topics include: dendrobium orchids (Honohono), April 9; cucumber, April 16; plants for lei making, April 23; and sweet and hot peppers, April 30. Costs $5 per session. Call for a registration form.

Also, a guided tour will show exotic fruit trees that can be planted in home gardens, 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Call 956-7196 for more information.

Wahiawa Botanical Garden, 621-7321: Hands-on gardening, 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Free.

TELEVISION

"Pacific Garden": A half-hour local plant and garden series features Kim Gennaula and horticulturist Dr. Dave Hensley. The first show will air at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow on KGMB-9. The segment will include information on anthuriums, papayas, soil amendments, and how to set up a home composting system. Gennaula will also give a recipe for "Papaya Salsa."