If you experienced majoring gardening failures last year, or just want to deepen your knowledge of the natural world, there are eight upcoming lectures at Elizabeth Park. These run the gamut, from pruning to encouraging wildlife to take up residence in our yards, to gardening organically.You can pick and choose which classes to attend (at $10 a piece, except for the final one, which includes dinner and is $40) or for $85 sit in on all of them. Lectures will take place inside of the Pond House at 7pm.
Here is a more detailed description of the lectures:
Lecture #1: Wednesday, January 19-7:00p.m.
Ron Aakjar, Horticulturist, Sharon Audubon Center
Pruning How To’s What time of year should you prune? What happens if we prune at the wrong time? What is the best pruning technique? How much is enough to prune? Ron will ease your pruning fears with answers to these questions and more.
Lecture #2: Wednesday, January 26-7:00p.m.
Steve Silk, Garden writer, photographer and former Fine Gardening Magazine editor
The Crazy Mixed Up Border An eclectic approach to using trees, shrubs, annuals, tropicals, edibles and perennials. This is a style that celebrated change and experimentation.
Lecture #3 Wednesday, February 9-7:00p.m.
Deborah Kent, Garden Designer/Coach What the Nurseries Don’t Tell You
Plant life you should know before you make impulsive purchases. What conditions on your property should you keep in mind to make the best choices to improve your landscape.
Lecture #4 Wednesday, February 16-7:00p.m.
Chrissie D’Esopo, Legendary owner and gardener at 289 West Avon Road, Avon, CT
Chrissie’s Garden Secrets Learn her garden secrets as she presents a colorful and energetic slide show, showing all four seasons of her garden and restoration of her home.
Lecture #5 Wednesday, March 2-7:00p.m.
Margery Winters, Educator/Exhibits Manager, Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton, CT
Saving our Wild Areas, One Yard at a Time By reconsidering how and why we garden as we do, we can help promote wildlife diversity in our own backyards and wild areas.
Lecture #6 Wednesday, March 9-7:00p.m.
Marci Martin and John Mattia, Rosarians
The Business of Roses Roses are big business; get a peak at the whole industry with photos from the fields in California. Learn how roses are created and propagated using hybridizing, cuttings, budding etc. See how they are mass produced and processed.
Lecture #7 Wednesday, March 23-7:00p.m.
Bill Duesing, Executive Director of CT NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT. Organic Gardening: Food is our most important energy source and organic growing close to home has many environmental and health benefits. Learn how to start an organic garden, build healthy soil, plan for a long harvest season and perform organic pest management.
Lecture #8 and Dinner Wednesday, March 30-7:00p.m.
Louis Lista, Chef and Pond House Owner: Cooking Garden Bounty
A cooking demonstration where you will learn new ways to prepare the fruits and vegetables that you harvest from your own garden. A delicious dinner prepared by the Pond House will follow the demonstration.
To attend, you can register in advance or pay at the door; those wishing to attend the dinner will have to register in advance.