The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is a secret oasis of plant life and meandering trails set atop a steep scenic knoll in Thousand Oaks. Each month the garden offers a variety of programs to entice visitors of all ages to discover what the garden has to offer.

A volunteer staff works diligently to keep the garden in spruce condition. There's no admission fee.

The garden is at 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thouand Oaks, adjacent to Conejo Community Park. So after a leisurely tour of its flowerful acres, visitors can mosey down to the park for a picnic under the oaks.

During summer months, concerts are offered on several Sundays on a stage in the park.

From 10 a.m. to noon Sat., April 1, the garden will host its monthly native and water-wise plant sale in the nursery area. Most of the plants for sale can be found growing in displays on the garden grounds, so potential purchasers can get an idea of a plant's size, sprawl, flowering habit and other characteristics. For information, please call (805) 494-7630.

The Kids' Adventure Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays only. A colorful and creative place, the youth-oriented gar

den provides a place for children to learn about nature and about gardening. Children and their families will find inside its gates a tree house, dinosaur garden and more. Docents are available to help interpret and answer any questions. Special crafts

programs are often

conducted on site. For more information, please call (818) 889-0560.

Years ago a section of the garden was devoted to the planting of a rare fruit tree orchard. Residents are invited to take a walking tour of the orchard with Ed Hager at 2 p.m. Sun., April 2 and learn about unusual species they may wish to try in their home gardens. Hager will field questions during the walk. The event is free, but rain will cancel. For information, please call (805) 494-7630.

At 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month in the garden center, floral design in the Sogetsu style is taught. The cost for each class is $15 plus $10 for flowers, or $50 per month. For additional details, please call Camille at (805) 498-7421.