Greer Wylder -- BEST BUYS

Gardening enthusiasts can get tips from experts at the Institute of the

Gardens classes offered at Roger’s Gardens. Classes cost $125 and consist

of four meetings running from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

There also will be an intermediate gardening class offered March 8, 15,

22 and 29. The prerequisite for the class is beginning gardening.

Students will learn more about the selection and care of specific plants

for appropriate garden areas, taking into consideration the existing

landscapes as well as a home’s architectural features. Students will

learn more about the tools needed to make each plant a vital part of the

overall garden design.

Also, on March 9, 16, 23 and 30, there will be a cottage garden class.

The prerequisite for the class is beginning gardening. The class will

teach students how to incorporate cottage garden vignettes into sunny

gardens, for any size garden. Each class builds upon the previous

session, tying new designs with past ones.

If you’re interested in the classes, advanced registration is required.

Students receive a coupon for 10% off for purchases made during the month

they are taking the class. The beginning gardening class that is a

prerequisite for most classes is being offered May 3, 17, 24 and 31. Call

(949) 721-2100, ext. 569. Roger’s Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills

Road in Corona del Mar.

Now’s the time to find deals on window coverings and upholstery on sale

at Alden’s Carpet and Draperies. The savings on window coverings are up

to 65% off and upholstery is up to 40% off. There is a nice selection of

window coverings that includes Hunter Douglas privacy sheers, vertical

blinds, wood blinds, Honeycomb shades, woven woods and fabric Roman

shades. Also reduced are upholstery fabrics and trims up to 25% off, and

drapery fabrics up to 40% off. Alden’s Carpet and Draperies, the oldest

flooring company in Orange County, is at 1663 Placentia in Costa Mesa.

Call (949) 646-4838.

If you’ve always wanted a hitch or hitch rack for your car for hauling

bikes, skis or snowboard equipment, now’s a good time to buy one at

Sports Rack Vehicle Outfitters. There’s a 20% off sale on all hitches and

hitch racks. Top name brands available include Thule, Yakima, Valley, BMG

and Draw-Tite. The store carries a huge selection of hitches, racks and

just about every kind of car and sport accessory you’d want. There’s a

catalog in the store that shows the extensive selection of merchandise

that Sport Rack carries. There are bike mounts for your garage, portable

chairs, car seats and ski and snowboard mounts. The store offers

installation and rentals. Sports Rack Vehicle Outfitters is at 1995

Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. Call (949) 574-9990.

Arts and crafts types will love the spring preview sale at Michaels

through Saturday. On sale are silk florals, dried bouquets, silk

greenery, candles, ribbons, paints, modeling clay, yarns, painting

instruction books, clay pots, and ready-to-finish wood. Michaels is at

610 W. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. Call (949) 548-6053.

The best casual shoe sale is going on at Vans. Through March 12, when you

buy one pair of regularly priced Vans shoes, you’ll get a second pair of

equal or lesser value at half price. There’s a good selection of shoes to

choose from, although the offer excludes snowboard boots. Also on sale

are selected tops at $19.99, selected fleece sweatshirts at $29.99,

selected outerwear at $49.99 and selected T-shirts at $14.99. Vans is in

Costa Mesa at 1666 Newport Blvd. Call (949) 642-5753.

Summerhill Floral & Gifts is having a 50% off sale on all topiaries and

floral arrangements. The home accessories store carries specialty

furniture, silk florals, custom florals and arrangements. It’s at 369 E.

17th St. in Costa Mesa. Call (949) 646-6745.

Office Depot is having specials on ergonomic and executive chairs through

Saturday. A lot of the chairs come with an instant rebate that allows you

to get $10 to $50 off the purchase price. Also, some of the chairs can be

customized. There are more than 70 colors and fabric options to choose

from. The selection of chairs varies from drafting chairs, leather

chairs, manager’s chairs and task chairs. It’s at 2200 Harbor Blvd. in

Costa Mesa.

* BEST BUYS appears on Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.