SpotlightsFebruary Adult Classes
Asparagus to Zucchini: Cultivating Vegetable Gardens on the Front Range Complete 4– part series: $55 members / $75 non-members Individual classes: $15 members / $20 non-members You’ll be growing your own vegetables like a pro after attending this 4-part series! Local edible gardening experts will take you through the process of planning, starting seeds indoors, bed preparation, and planting. Join us for each workshop or select the ones that are right for you. Step One: Selecting the Best Vegetable Varieties for Your Garden February 6, 9 am — 12:30 pm Have you found yourself flipping frantically through seed catalogs wondering which of the 30 different varieties of tomatoes you should grow? Not sure if artichokes will grow in Northern Colorado? Are you trying to figure out just how many plants and how much space you really need? Get all these questions and more answered at this workshop. *Groups of 4 – 6 will meet with a vegetable garden expert who will help you plan your most productive vegetable garden ever! One hour sessions begin at 9 am. Each one hour session is limited to 24 participants. Register for session of your choice: 9 —10 am, 10:15 –11:15 am, or 11:30 am– 12:30 pm. Step Two: Successfully Starting Seeds Indoors February 20, 10 am — noon Your seed packets have arrived! Now what? Ted Schaaf, Gardens on Spring Creek Horticulturist, will share his secrets to successfully starting seeds indoors so you can enjoy the pleasure and satisfaction of getting a head start on your spring garden. Bring along a seed packet, we’ll supply a 4-pack, soil, and the horticulturists to help you get started seeding successfully. Class is limited to 25 attendees. Step Three: Sustainable Backyard Vegetable Gardens March 20, 10:30 am—12:30 pm It's amazing how much good food a backyard garden can produce. The sense of fulfillment that comes from this abundance is one of gardening's greatest gifts. Tending our backyard gardens as sustainably as possible takes the accomplishment to the next level. Join Sue Oberle of Oberle Botanical for a lively discussion about increasing sustainability in the backyard garden, tips on increasing production, caring for soils, dealing with pests and more. Step Four: Take it Outside: Bed Preparation, Transplanting, and Seeding in the Garden March 20, 1—3 pm Help! How do I translate my gardening ambitions into actual yard space? Join Sue Oberle of Oberle Botanical as we discuss bed preparation in its many forms, seeding spring crops, transplanting your starts into the earth and early season protection for a jump start on your harvest. We'll cover soil amendments, plant spacing, optimizing your area and more. Weather permitting, a hands-on exercise will be included.
The Keys to Front Range Gardening Success: Be Soil Savvy, Climate Aware & Plant Smart February 13, 9 am— 3 pm Complete series (3 classes): $30 members / $35 non-members Individual class: $12 members / $14 non-members Don’t be a frustrated gardener! New gardeners and experienced gardeners alike will find information in this one day seminar to help their Front Range gardens thrive and bloom. Join us for the whole day or pick and choose the presentations you’d like to attend. Be Soil Savvy, 9—11 am Front Range gardeners face many challenges trying to grow plants in our semi-arid climate, but the most common factor leading to plant disorders is the condition of the soil. Soil properties contribute to at least 80% of all landscape problems that we encounter, and yet soil is the resource that we usually know the least about. Bring some of your soil to class, measure some of its basic properties, and then learn from Jean Reeder, retired soil scientist, how to decrease landscape problems by improving the health of your soil and how to match plants to your soil type. Be Climate Aware, 11:15 am—12:15 pm Late frosts. Early frosts. Too much rain. Too little rain. Hail. Sound familiar? It does if you’re a Front Ranger gardener! You might not be able to change our variable climate, but you can learn how to work with it. Former Master Gardener, Lynn Rubright, will help gardeners understand the vagaries of the Front Range climate. Once you have a better understanding of our climate and how it affects gardening practices, you can take a deep breath and start digging – knowing you’re better prepared to deal with frost, drought, hail….and have a fabulous garden! This class is recommended for both edible and ornamental gardeners. Be Plant Smart, 1—2:30 pm Stop! Before you go shopping at your favorite nursery, arm yourself with the information you need to make the right plant choices. Scott Swartzendruber of Fort Collins Nursery, will impart pearls of wisdom that will help you select the right plant for the right spot. After attending this presentation, you’ll be ready to answer all those questions you’re asked at the nurseries: How much sun will the plant get? How big can it get? Would a deciduous or evergreen plant be better? When do you want it to bloom and in what color? You’ll also learn how to interpret generic plant descriptions for our climate. Remember - the most successful gardens start with the right plants!
Growing TogetherIntroduce your 2 – 4 year old to plants and gardening through books, songs, crafts and planting. Parents are encouraged to participate with their children. Classes are held on Thursdays from 9:30 – 10:30 am for 3 weeks. $20 per session. February 11 – 25: Have fun in the winter garden March 11 – 25: Create your own garden art April 8 – 22: All about seeds
Garden JourneysHealthy snacks, art, music, math, science and all around plant fun for 6-12 year olds! Each session includes time in our garden or the greenhouse Saturdays from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Dress for outdoor activity-we frequently spend time outside each session. $10 per session. This is a drop-in program, reservations are accepted. February Observe the garden in transition. Learn how to force forsythia stems for cheerful, indoor spring blooms. Create an herbal Valentine’s Day gift for a special person in your life. MARCH 27 Help plan the Garden Journey veggie plot in the Children’s Garden and learn about Plant a Row for the hungry! Plant early season, cold-loving crops in the community garden. APRIL 24 Sow tomato and pepper seeds in the greenhouse for planting into the garden plot in May. Make a special Mother’s Day surprise! High Plains Landscape Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr., Fort Collins This one-day workshop for homeowners and professionals is designed to promote high quality, sustainable landscapes that reflect a sense of place in Colorado's northern Front Range. Featured Presentation: Design and Evolution of a Garden Whether you’re renovating a landscape or starting a new one, Marcia Tatroe, gardener and writer, will share the design process and how to adapt to a garden’s changing needs. Other Programs:
Watercolor Exhibition and Sale
Watercolor Exhibition and Sale
Classroom Rentals: 2010Now is the time to reserve the Evelyn Clark Classroom, perfect for your own private event or meeting. Reserve now as dates are being filled. The Evelyn Clark Classroom is approximately 900 square feet in size. It has space for 35 participants in a classroom-style setting or 45 participants in a lecture-style setting (chairs, no tables). The class room may be rented year round, based on availability. The room is perfect for private classes, meetings, showers, award ceremonies, or workshops. Features of the classroom include the following:
Refer to our rental page for the Classroom Rental Details and Policies form.
Gardens on Spring CreekAddress: 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80526Phone: (970) 416-2486 |
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