Horticulture

A SALAD BOWL IN YOUR GARDEN - GROWING SALAD GREENS AND VEGGIES IN CONTAINERS
Elaine Farquharson

Eager gardening students will learn all about growing salad vegetables in containers. Lettuces, mesclen mixes and Asian greens will be emphasized. Even learn the secrets to delicious sunflower sprouts and spicy nasturtiums that will top off your gourmet salad. Class will cover different types of containers such as self-watering and "raised" containers elevated to make harvesting a breeze. Homegrown salad "fixins" will be available to taste and students will receive seeds to get their own salad bowl garden started. 

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday, December 5 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, December 1
Fee: Members, $35; Non-members, $50

 

GROWING HERBS IN SOUTH FLORIDA - LECTURE AND SALE
Carolyne Coppolo

Growing herbs in South Florida has their own unique requirements, let Mrs. Coppolo, owner of the Redland Herb Farm, share her techniques for nurturing healthy herbs in the ground, in containers and in raised beds. The lecture will cover the seven deadly sins of herb growing, medicinal and culinary uses. You will be able to share your personal harvest with no fear of wondering where your fresh herbs were grown. Potted herb plants and soils will be available FOR SALE during class.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 9 (one session)
Registration deadline: Thursday, December 4
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

INTRODUCING THE "NEW" CROTONS TO YOUR LANDSCAPE
David Mclean

These captivating, versatile and colorful plants are easy to grow, even in containers and flower arrangements!  Mr. Mclean will take you on a visual and verbal review of cultivars that flaunt leaves of every size, color, and shape imaginable. Pick up tips on propagation, culture and landscaping use. There will be old classic and new cultivars available FOR SALE to registered students only. This class is offered once a year.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, December 5
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF ORGANIC GARDENING
Alison Walker

In this class you will learn the practical steps to creating an organic garden, whether it be a food, wildlife or ornamental garden. From a brief history of organic gardening to a compelling vision of how and why organic gardening must be part of our future, this course will both prepare and inspire you to go forth and plant - organically! Topics to be covered will include the basics of soil preparation, variety selection, cultural care and maintenance, and insect and disease prevention and control.  

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 14 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 9
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

FIND YOUR CHILD'S INNER NATURE LOVER
Jeff Wasielewski and Patty Diaz

This class will teach you how to begin to nurture a life long appreciation for nature in your child.  There will be a brief description of South Florida's natural history, as well as, discussion of numerous ways to involve your child in the incredible natural world around them.  Learn how to turn off the TV and turn on the great outdoors. 

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, January 17 (one session)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, January 14
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

EASY ORCHIDS
Betty Eber

Enjoy the beauty of orchids without spending hours caring for them. With our expert's carefully garnered secrets, you'll soon be fielding compliments. Her simple solutions and creative growing techniques can save you the agony of losing precious plants. She will demonstrate division and repotting. Students need a basic knowledge of orchids.

10:00 a.m. to noon
Section A: Friday, January 30 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 23

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Section B: Tuesday, March 31 (one session)
Registration deadline: Thursday, March 26
Fee per section: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

GRAFTING WORKSHOP AT WILLIAMS GROVE
Richard J. Campbell or Noris Ledesma

To the novice, grafting seems like a mysterious and difficult procedure. In truth, it is a precise, straightforward technique that can be learned like any other. Once you master it, you can multiply your favorite plants or choose from the incredible multitudes of cultivars and species not commonly available. You'll learn both the benefits and disadvantages of grafting. Various techniques will be demonstrated and you will be given an informative tour of the grove. Plant material will be provided for practice; students may take home their grafted material. Bring a sharp grafting knife and a bag lunch to class. Class is limited to 15 students per section and will take place at Fairchild's Williams Grove located in Homestead, map provided upon registration. This very special hands-on workshop is now being offered twice this year, in two sections taught by Fairchild Tropical Fruit program staff.  

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Section A: Saturday, January 31 (one session with Richard Campbell)
Registration deadline: Thursday, January 22

Section B: Saturday, March 21 (one session with Noris Ledesma)
Registration deadline: Thursday, March 12
Fee per section: Members, $75; Non-members, $130

 

SOUTH FLORIDA'S TOP 40 PLANTS
Jeff Wasielewski

Newcomers to the area, new gardeners and those looking for new ideas will enjoy this informative class. You will learn about the top 40, tried and true plants for the South Florida home garden. Along with a PowerPoint presentation there will be a description of each plant, information on its availability and advice for the homeowner on specific plant selection, planting and care.

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 21 (one session)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, February 17
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

A  MEDICINE CABINET IN YOUR GARDEN - GROWING MEDICINAL PLANTS
David Mclean

This short course is a beginner's guide to growing these wonderful weeds and wonders (medicinal plants). Students will learn how to establish plants used in folk medicine as garden and landscape features. The use of effective traditional remedies and the potential dangers of self-medication will be discussed. Students will receive a reference list and books will also be on hand to review. A variety of plants will be FOR SALE.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 25 (one session)
Registration deadline: Thursday, February 19
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

CONTAINER PALMS
Chris Migliaccio

Create a lush palm garden for your patio or poolside all in containers! Learn about the care of palms, focusing on container culture, and the selection of suitable species to make your moveable garden a tropical haven. A slide show of container palms will show the many options. Students receive small palms to take home. 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 26 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, February 20
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $40

 

PLANTS FOR MASOCHISTS - THORNY AND SPINY WONDERS
David Mclean

Our gardener's love of color and sculptural form often finds us caring for our favorite plants … and the wounds and other problems they cause! This class will cover methods to avoid personal damage from our plants that live on human blood … Topics covered are rashes, fungus problems, toxic plants, thorns, prickles, serrations, handling, treatments, maintenance, and the plants that provide these dubious pleasures.  And these plants will be FOR SALE to registrants. 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, March 6
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

COLOR IN STRANGE PLACES
David Mclean

Color for many of us comes as flashy flowers and mass beds of solid blocks of a single hue. This lecture will introduce you to subtle nuances of your garden you may be missing, and how to capture these personal pleasures and experiences when you design or redo a garden area…or the next time you walk through your paradise with a glass of wine. Timing may be the element; sneaky placement of surprise color could be the key to a real intimate enjoyment of a garden. Little inexpensive additions can add hours of surprise color and beauty. Some of our favorite "flashers" will be FOR SALE.

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, March 21 (one session)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 17
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

 

CREATING A HOME FRUIT GARDEN
Noris Ledesma

Imagine having delicious tropical fruit at your fingertips throughout the entire year. Learn practical techniques for creating and managing a small home grove or making your own business growing tropical fruit trees. Take home your own fruit tree, one of the newest selections from our Tropical Fruit Program. First class will be held at Fairchild and second class at Williams Grove in Homestead.

10:00 a.m. to noon
Saturdays, April 4-11 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 31
Fee: Members, $60; Non-members, $90

 

GROWING BROMELIADS IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Peter Kouchalakos

Learn the basics of growing these attractive, adaptable epiphytes.  While most often seen growing in the ground or on trees, they also do well in pots.  Our instructor/grower will take you through propagating pups, choosing the optimum growing medium and containers, watering and misting, providing air circulation and lighting, fertilizing and methods of combating pests. He will also share his experience in growing show plants.  Each student will have hands on experience of repotting a bromeliad and take home a plant. 

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 22 - 29 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 20
Fee: Members, $35; Non-members, $45

 

ORCHID CULTURE FOR THE BEGINNER
Betty Eber

Picture a stunning collection of orchids in full bloom in your garden, patio or Florida room! Learn basic orchid culture for the four most popular orchid genera. Observe this knowledgeable orchid hobbyist as she demonstrates division and repotting on the popular orchid species of cattleyas, phalaenopsis, dendrobiums and Vandas. Species, hybrids, insects and disease control also will be covered.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Mondays, April 27 - May 11 (three sessions)
Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 22
Fee: Members, $60; Non-members, $80