Tours to Help Green Thumbs Bloom

County schools will open their gardens to the public Saturday as part of a statewide “Twist and Sprout” campaign that teaches children to grow healthful foods and appreciate gardening.

The event is part of a campaign that seeks to plant a garden at every school in the state by 2000, said Sandra Robinson, a gardening enthusiast who is helping to promote the program. The program is sponsored by the California Department of Education.

Tours at Orange County sites are self-guided and offer a variety of gardening styles, including English, California and vegetable.

Admission is free at the following locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

* Arroyo Elementary School, 11112 Coronel Road, Santa Ana. (714) 730-7381.

* Richard Henry Dana Exceptional Needs Facility, 24242 La Cresta Drive, Dana Point. (949) 496-5784.

* Marco F. Forster Middle School, 25601 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano. (949) 493-1133.

* Greenville Fundamental School, 3600 S. Raitt St., Santa Ana. (714) 241-6494.

* Mission Viejo High School, 25025 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo. (949) 837-7722.

* Ocean View School, 7721 Juliette Low Drive, Huntington Beach. (714) 847-9643.

* Prospect School, 379 North Prospect St., Orange. (714) 997-6271.

* Raymond School, 517 N. Raymond Ave., Fullerton. (714) 447-7740.

* St. Paul’s Preschool Children’s Garden, 1221 Wass St., Tustin. (714) 832-8201.

* Trabuco Elementary School, 31052 Trabuco Canyon Road, Trabuco Canyon. (714) 858-0343.