EVENTS

Annual Festival of the Trees: Local, nation and international designers decorate holiday trees from every imaginable material; 6 p.m. Thursday; Coverings ETC Corporate Showroom, 7610 NE Fourth Ct., Miami; $55. 305-348-1059 or www.festival

ofthetrees.net.

Benefit Flea Market: New merchandise plus yard sale goods at bargain prices, used and vintage items including jewelry, antiques, crafts, collectibles; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; Flamingo Gardens, 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Davie; $2. 954-473-2955 or www.flamingogardens.org.

Botanical Books: The garden's book club convenes with the first selection, ``Life in the Treetops: Adventures of a Woman in Field Biology,'' by Margaret D. Lowman, director of Selby Gardens in Sarasota; noon Tuesday; Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach; free. 305-

673-7256 or www.mbgarden.org.

Butterflies of Biscayne: Exhibit of art, photos and posters on the species found in Biscayne National Park. Includes information on butterfly life cycles and ways to attract butterflies to home gardens; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through Nov. 15; Dante Fascell Visitor Center, Biscayne National Park, 9700 SW 328th St., Homestead; free. 305-230-7275 or www.nps.gov/bisc.

Coral Gables Homes Tour: Starts with a lecture by architect Jorge Hernandez, trustee of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 10:45 a.m.-noon, followed by a tour of five historically and architecturally significant homes, noon-4 p.m. Part of Celebrate Architecture plus Design 2009; 10:45 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; $50 (includes reception, architect's lecture and tour), $30 tour only. 305-448-7488 or aiamiami.com.

Dining Out 2,000 Years Ago: Michelle Williams, director of Southeast Region, Florida Public Archaeology Network at FAU, speaks on the various plants used by early Floridians and how natural resources has made it a special dining venue for more than 10,000 years; 7-8:30 p.m. Monday; Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, 900 N. Birch Rd., Fort Lauderdale; $5, free for members. 954-563-5393, ext. 137 or lindaschaller@bonnethouse.org.

Fresh Herbs, Orchids and Plants for Sale: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday-Saturday; Miami Beach Botanical Garden, 2000 Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach. 305-673-7256 or www.mbgarden.org.

A Garden Holiday: New plant introductions, guest plant vendors, hand-painted pots, garden accessories, handcrafted items and food and live music. Fundraiser for local chapter of Good Bears of the World; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday; Palm Hammock Orchid Estate, 9995 SW 66th St., Miami; free. 305-274-9813 or phammock@bellsouth.net.

Gardening Made Easy on Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension's Website: Newly updated website helps people connect with their neighbors to put vacant lots to better use and take the hassle out of growing vegetables. Go to miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/communitygarden.shtml for community gardening and learn how others got started. Go to miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn_and_garden/home_gardening.shtml#veggarden for vegetable gardening and see what types of vegetables grow best in a particular area and how to care for them effectively; through Nov. 24.

The Great Green Family Festival: Local and organic farmer's market, alternative energy, vehicles and fuels, medicinal herbs, oils and teas, natural foods and culinary plants. Also includes live music, lectures and children's activities. Services include aromatherapy, yoga, tai chi, reiki and chair massage. Sponsored by Redland Evening Society and the Fruit and Spice Park; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; Redland Fruit and Spice Park, 24801 SW 187th Ave., Redland; $8, free for kids 10 and younger. 305-247-5727 or www.fruitandspicepark.org.