Roll out the barrel! We’re having a barrel of fun Saturday when Oktoberfest hits the gardens. Van de Kamp Hall will be transformed into a Bavarian biergarten from 3 to 8 p.m. And from 5:30 to 8 p.m., enjoy the polka-tastic sounds of Vegas showman Autobahn! The Gardens close at 5 p.m., but the beer garden goes on into the evening – and admission is free after 5 p.m. Enjoy brats and other hearty sausages and kraut, red cabbage, potato salad, and a variety of German beers.

The beer garden is part of the In Praise of the Grasses Festival, which celebrates the many uses of this plant family, from landscaping to brewing. During the day, enjoy a number of classes. Offerings include:

Creative Landscaping with Perennial Grass, 11 a.m.: Think beyond fescue and explore the possibilities of the grass family. Brian Sullivan, horticulture and garden operations director, leads the way. He will showcase many creative and beautiful landscape applications of this diverse family of plants. In Van de Kamp. Free, members only.

Grow a Beer Garden, 1 p.m.: Want beer? Grow your own! Horticulturist Rachel Young and members of the Crown of the Valley Brewing Society will show you how. Learn how to grow grain, including wheat and barley, as well as flavor accents such as lavender and chamomile. In Van de Kamp. $15 nonmembers, $10 members. Advance registration preferred, but walk-ins welcome.

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011. Admission is $8 general, $6 seniors/students with ID, $3 children 5-12, free 4 and younger. Find details at www.descansogardens.org