The dirt: Sculpture garden grand opening, daffodil bulb sale

A marble sculpture inspired by the limestone cliffs, sea and soaring birds of Malta's Gozo Island and a copper casting that creates noise as it blows in the wind are among the 22 artworks gracing the grounds of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Harrison Sculpture Garden has its grand opening from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event features a curator-led tour of the High Point area sculptures, a harp concert, artist demonstrations and family activities. The new collection is by such internationally acclaimed contemporary artists as Mimmo Paladino, Paul Granlund and Barbara Hepworth, and was donated by Alfred Harrison and Ingrid Lenz Harrison of Wayzata.

For fans of Japanese gardens, Kendall H. Brown will give a talk about his new book, "Quiet Beauty: The Japanese Gardens of North America," at noon today at the arboretum. Brown's program about the history, styles and stories of public Japanese gardens in North America will be followed by a guided walk to the Arboretum's Japanese garden and a book signing.

Arboretum admission is $12 for ages 13 and older; free for members and ages 12 and younger. Call 952-443-1400.

There's still time to improve your garden for this year and next spring. The Carver-Scott Master Gardeners plant sale includes perennials, houseplants, garden art and books, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday. The Minnesota Daffodil Society will also sell bulbs. Rainbow Foods, Hwy. 41 and Pioneer Trail, Chaska. Visit www.carverscottmastergardeners.org.