Class Schedule September-December 2024

 

NEW! Seed Saving 101: Practicing the Art of Seed Saving | September 7 | IN-PERSON

Learn and practice the art of seed saving like our ancient ancestors. Begin with a visually interactive discussion around our deeply-rooted history with seed saving. Explore the current reality of seeds globally and opportunities to pick up where our ancestors left off. Participate in a hands-on seed saving activity where you’ll learn the process of seed saving from collection to proper storage. Each attendee will take home an array of seeds ready to plant in the spring to begin their seed-saving journey at home.

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Bonsai for Beginners | September 13 | IN-PERSON

In this workshop, Conservatory Horticulturist Jayton Howard will dive into the origins and history of bonsai, how to care for and plant a bonsai and teach some basic bonsai training techniques. Learn these techniques through the planting and training of your very own starter bonsai that you will get to take home with you and grow into a mighty bonsai. This workshop is geared toward bonsai beginners and no previous bonsai knowledge is necessary.

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NEW! Plant Diversity for Landscape Design | September 14 | IN-PERSON

People live indoors, but your garden is a dynamic, living habitat for other fauna. Science tells us that a diversity of plant materials promotes a diversity of landscape insects and a healthier, more sustainable ecosystem. Janine Lester, landscape designer and consulting arborist, will show you how your ornamental landscape can be a beautiful and edible landscape for insects, birds, and other small garden dwellers.

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NEW! Gardening for Birds | September 14 | IN-PERSON

By planting bird-friendly plants, you can attract more birds to your garden and support local bird populations! Join Barb and Buz Sawyer, both birdwatchers since childhood, as they share experiences from their own backyard garden, highlight which plants do well in our zone, and suggest ways to attract more species to your garden with a layered approach that focuses on what birds need during their life cycle.

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NEW! Fall Planting for Pollinators | September 22 | IN-PERSON

In the fall, our pollinator friends are busy at work! Join entomologist and former Butterflies LIVE! Coordinator, Clara Aus, as she navigates how to best support the local Virginia wildlife with your fall plantings. You’ll learn pollinator flower preferences, fall-blooming keystone species, host plants, fall planting techniques, and how to create a fall garden that is attractive to both people and pollinators.

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GARDEN THROUGH THE YEAR WITH PEGGY SINGLEMANN SERIES 

Join horticulturist and Virginia Home Grown host Peggy Singlemann at the Garden for information sessions on a variety of seasonal gardening topics. Peggy offers timely tips for your garden and all programs include a walk in the Garden with Peggy to illustrate examples. 

NEW! Brighten Your Landscape with Native Flowering Shrubs | September 28 | IN-PERSON

Between the tall tree canopy and the flower border lies the space where small trees and shrubs thrive. This middle layer provides critical shelter and food for pollinators, birds and mammals alike. In this class, we’ll explore the Virginia native shrubs which thrive in the varying light and growing conditions of the home landscape. You’ll learn about the varying heights, bloom seasons and colors of exceptional native flowering shrubs, including the color changes that fall brings.

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Fall Curated Containers | September 28 | IN-PERSON

This class will empower gardeners of any level to create beautifully curated containers for their outdoor spaces. You’ll learn how to choose a container and select plants that fit the needs of exposure, watering requirements and other considerations. You’ll also receive information on how to use a planting template, gain ideas for artfully choosing plant material and receive guidance on seasonal care. Instructor Sunny McGann, Master Gardener and adjunct professor at Reynolds Community College, will demonstrate planting a sample container during class.

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NEW! Backyard Orchard: Fruit Cultivation | September 28 | IN-PERSON

Backyard Orchard: Fruit Cultivation prepares you for growing fruit trees, shrubs, and brambles right at home. Learn about techniques and practices starting from site and plant selection, exploring the diverse varieties of fruit trees and brambles suited for different climates and soil conditions. Gain insights into first-year care, learning how to nurture young plants along with pruning Take a short tour through the Garden to observe mature fruit trees and shrubs. Instructor: Will Nelson.

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NEW! Beginning Native Perennials for Gardeners | October 3 | IN-PERSON

Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, for an introduction to the ornamental & environmental benefits of commonly available native Virginia flowers, grasses, and sedges. Learn about a variety of native perennial species suitable for garden use, including their different ecological roles and the design elements they fulfill. Discover which plant characteristics are essential for wildlife support, including the pros and cons of using wild, or “straight”, species versus cultivated varieties. Class includes a tour of the Morton Native Plant Garden.  At the end of class, you’ll select six native plants to take home in a Parallel Nursery Mix and Match Pack!

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NEW! Bonsai for the Intermediate Grower | October 4 | IN-PERSON

In this workshop, Conservatory Horticulturist Jayton Howard takes a deep dive into the art of bonsai. If you want help with your bonsai or you’ve learned the basics and want to take your skills a step further, this is the class for you! New techniques will be demonstrated that are certain to elevate your bonsai to the next level. Learn new terminology and try your hand at new pruning and training methods.

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SOILS SERIES 

Learn about the life under your feet in this three-part series with instructor Karin Stretchko  Take one or all three.

Soils, Part 1: The Properties of Soil and Life in the Soil | October 5 | IN-PERSON

Learn about the physical properties of soil, and explains that soil is far from inert, hosting a myriad of chemical and life processes.

Soils, Part 2: Organic Matter and Sustainable Gardening | November 9 | IN-PERSON

Explore organic matter in soil, including the process of decay, factors that affect organic matter content, managing it, and amendments to the soil.

Soils, Part 3: pH and Fertilization | December 7 | IN-PERSON

Karin discusses soil pH and the many factors affecting it within soil chemistry, plant nutrition, and the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium cycles, including fertilization and how to read fertilizer labels.

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Herb Garden Basics: Herbs in Winter | October 19 | IN-PERSON

World traveler, herbal expert and self-professed foodie Mark Ragland provides techniques and tips for harvesting, preserving/drying and overwintering herbs in your garden for winter. Mark discusses herbs like Rosemary, sage, basil, lavender, chives, dill, parsley, thyme, scented geraniums, bay, fennel, tarragon, oregano and more. You’ll also learn how to maintain your supply of fresh herbs through the cold months by growing herbs on your windowsill.

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For creative workshops where you can use live plants to make plant creations to take home, check out our Plant Play: Make and Take Workshops learning category!