Community Education   

We will complete three projects. No experience necessary.

Materials: For the first class, bring pencils and a folder or 3-ring binder for notes. A materials list will be handed out and discussed on the first night of class, to ensure you purchase proper materials. (Approved good quality paper is a must to ensure success - Do not bring cheap paper.) You will need your own approved watercolor paper and paint selection. Brushes are the biggest investment, and you may borrow the necessary brushes from the instructor each week.   

This class is intended for those who have some prior experience, but don't quite feel ready for the Intermediate level. We will further widen our knowledge before working on three projects of more advanced techniques. 

Materials: For the first class, bring pencils and a folder or 3-ring binder for notes. A materials list will be handed out and discussed on the first night of class, to ensure you purchase proper materials. (Approved good quality paper is a must to ensure success - Do not bring cheap paper.) You will need your own approved watercolor paper and paint selection. Brushes are the biggest investment, and you may borrow the necessary brushes from the instructor each week.   

Why do so many plants and gardens fail to thrive despite our best intentions? Whether renovating a garden or starting fresh, healthy plants start with healthy soil – yet all too often, soil health is overlooked. But what is healthy soil and how do we create it? When should – or shouldn’t – we till? What are the best types of compost and mulch? And how do we set up gardens to be nearly weed-free? In this class, you’ll learn simple, practical, step-by-step solutions to all of the above so you can succeed at soil preparation in a variety of situations.

The latter half of the class will be held outdoors in a nearby garden and will involve walking on unpaved terrain. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, and water are recommended. 

Students will carpool to a secondary location. All students must sign a field trip liability waiver before the start of class in order to attend. Upon enrollment, a link to the waiver will be included in the order confirmation email. 

A drip irrigation system can save you time and money. It also saves water, minimizes weed growth, generates productive plants, and is the easiest, most efficient way to water gardens. This basic class will make the subject of drip irrigation approachable, easy, and practical, enabling you to select and install an efficient system for each part of your garden and set it up so that it is easy to maintain. Gone are the days of lugging around watering cans and dragging hoses! 

The latter half of the class will be held outdoors in a nearby garden and will involve walking on unpaved terrain. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, and water are recommended. 

Students will carpool to a secondary location. All students must sign a field trip liability waiver before the start of class in order to attend. Upon enrollment, a link to the waiver will be included in the order confirmation email. 

Whether starting a new garden or renovating an existing one, we all have areas in our yards that we would like to improve. But when it comes to streamlining garden maintenance and minimizing water use, we may be unsure of how to begin the process. In this class, we’ll take simple, practical step-by-step approaches to assessing, considering, and planning how best to design how each plot will function according to both existing site factors and your own needs. You’ll create healthy, uplifting spaces that contribute positively to your life. 

The latter half of the class will be held outdoors in a nearby garden and will involve walking on unpaved terrain. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, and water are recommended. 

Students will carpool to a secondary location. All students must sign a field trip liability waiver before the start of class in order to attend. Upon enrollment, a link to the waiver will be included in the order confirmation email. 

Plants need to be sited in places that are appropriate for their needs. To keep them looking healthy and beautiful all the way from spring through autumn, plants need specific care during each season. But how do we know what to do with our plants – and, most importantly, when? In this class, you'll discover the basics of creating and maintaining a healthy garden, including soil care, plant selection and placement, planting, and pruning. You’ll also learn simple rules on when and how to cut perennials back, how to remove spent blooms to prolong flowering, and other tricks to maintain the health of your plants. 

The latter half of the class will be held outdoors in a nearby garden and will involve walking on unpaved terrain. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes, clothing appropriate for the weather, and water are recommended. 

Students will carpool to a secondary location. All students must sign a field trip liability waiver before the start of class in order to attend. Upon enrollment, a link to the waiver will be included in the order confirmation email. 

In this class, we will dive deeper into journaling practices to discover how best to record the plants and other flora we see. We will learn how to study and depict plant life with greater accuracy, gain understanding of the process for collecting subjects and specimens for indoor study, and design and complete a basic botanical study or composite plate.

Required Materials: 

• Sketchbook (5x7 inches, 98# paper) 
• Pencil 
• Black ballpoint pen or non-smudging, non-water-soluble black ink pen 
• Colored pencils 
• Watercolor palette with portable water brush (think travel sketcher kits from Koi or Winsor Newton) 

For ages 18+. All skill levels welcome. 

What to Bring: lightweight plastic disposable gloves (such as Gloveworks Nitrile gloves) and an old apron or shirt. All other materials provided!