Sacramento residents are invited to learn how to use water efficiently outdoors during a free event Sept. 28 at the Department of Utilities main campus (1395 35th Avenue).

The Water Wise Garden Showcase is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and will feature more than a dozen gardening professionals, irrigation experts and landscape designers, as well as information about the City's water-saving rebates and short educational talks.

"With summer winding down, this is a great opportunity to find ways to conserve water outdoors," said William Granger, the City's water conservation coordinator. "We'll be providing information on a variety of water wise topics, including drought-tolerant landscapes and irrigation efficiency."

Here is a list of vendors that are expected to attend the event:

• City of Sacramento Water Conservation
• City of Sacramento Recycling & Solid Waste
• California Native Plant Society
• Master Gardeners of Sacramento County
• GreenWaste Florin Perkins Landscape Materials
• Green Acres Nursery & Supply
• Hunter Industries (irrigation)
• Rain Bird (irrigation)
• Brodeur Landscapes (landscape design)
• CBC eLandscapes (landscape design)
• Mantis Gardens LLC (landscape design)
• Mother Natives (landscape design)
• Prado Jardín (landscape design)
• Water-Wise Landscaping (landscape design)

Several water-saving tools and resources, including smart irrigation controllers and discounted landscape consultations, will also be raffled off during the event.

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP to the event on the Department of Utilities Facebook page. City staff say a response is not required but helps them plan for the event.