Why don’t gardenias thrive in my garden? Why do my tulips fall flat? Why isn’t the soil in my yard dark and rich? The answer–you are in the Sonoran Desert! This introductory class is designed to teach you about the challenging conditions you will face when gardening in the low desert. Learn how to work with the unique soils, temperature extremes, bi-modal rainy seasons and human influences that impact plants in your landscape. Instructed by Garden curator Kirti Mathura. Limit 30.
Click here to register on-line
Upcoming Core Classes
Native Plants – The Elegant Solution / Spring 2009
Design Basics / Spring 2009
Caring for Your Desert Garden / Spring 2009
| Growing Your Garden Track Electives Schedule |
These classes may be taken individually or credited toward a Mastership Certificate of Completion.
Do you have trees in your landscape in need of some ‘TLC’? Join ISA certified arborist John Eisenhower, owner of Integrity Tree Service, Inc., for this great introductory presentation to learn the basics of pruning to keep your investments healthy, functional and looking great. As well as being a Master Gardener and an active member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, John is past president of the Arizona Community Tree Council, an organization dedicated to the planting and care of trees in communities throughout Arizona. You will learn the art and science of good pruning, including how to prune young trees for good structure, the five types of pruning and when to use them, as well as how to avoid the two worst pruning mistakes. You will leave this program ready to prune your own trees with confidence and effectiveness. Program includes an outdoor pruning demonstration plus informative take home materials and resources. Limit 30.
Click here to register on-line
This is a great workshop to complement vegetable and herb gardening workshops as compost is the black gold essential to successful gardening with many herbs and vegetables. Discover how easy it is to produce your own magical soil amendment and save space in our landfills. Garden curator Kirti Mathura will share all the composting basics in this fun workshop. Limit 20.
Click here to register on-line
Do you ever wonder what’s going on in your garden? Who ate your shrub’s leaves and who dug up your perennial; what is that fuzzy white stuff on your prickly-pear; why is your agave collapsing? Learn to become your garden’s crime scene investigator. With some detective work, you can find answers to these questions, and know just how to solve problems with a sound IPM (Integrated Pest Management) program. You will take away a new appreciation for the activity in your yard, as well as skills to help you in your investigative work. Instructor Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Click here to register on-line
Multiplication and division take on a whole new meaning as Garden curator Kirti Mathura leads this series of workshops on methods of plant propagation. Learn how to start plants from seed, cuttings, division and layering to make your landscape full and beautiful. Included are helpful handouts and reference materials, as well as plant materials to get you started. Limit 12 per session.
Click here to register on-line
Click here to register on-line
Click here to register on-line
Avoid costly professional repairs and irrigation nightmares! If you already have an irrigation system and want to learn how it works, how to take care of it or make simple repairs, this program is for you. Improperly maintained systems can be challenging for homeowners. Irrigation specialist Jeff Lee will explain all three types of irrigation systems: drip, sprinkler and bubbler, and the specific needs for each. Learn how to maintain the systems for peak efficiency to ensure plant health.You will also learn to troubleshoot the most common irrigation system failures, and how to perform proper repair techniques from nozzle and emitter replacement to pipe repair. Limit 30.
Click here to register on-line
Have the shrubs in your landscape been over pruned, neglected or cut into geometric shapes? Join ISA certified arborist John Eisenhower, owner of Integrity Tree Service, Inc., for this practical course on how to prune shrubs to preserve their natural beauty. In this introductory presentation you will learn the basics of shrub renewal, rejuvenation and restoration. You will learn the art and science of shrub pruning, proper use of equipment and how to create beautiful shrubs with less effort. You will leave this program ready to prune your shrubs with confidence and effectiveness. Program includes an outdoor pruning demonstration plus informative take home materials and resources. Limit 30.
Click here to register on-line
Take an active role in the health of your landscape by learning correct watering techniques and how to properly control your home irrigation system. Irrigation specialist Jeff Lee will show you the ins and outs of irrigation controller programming through hands-on exercises utilizing controller models in the classroom. Learn when to water, how much, and how proper watering not only benefits your landscape but actually conserves water and lowers your utility bill. Limit 20.
Click here to register on-line
Upcoming Growing Your Garden Elective Classes
Pruning Shrubs / Spring 2009
Pruning Trees / Spring 2009
Two-Part Field Trip / Spring 2009 / Part One: Behind the scenes tour of the Desert Botanical Garden propagation areas including greenhouses, and Part Two: Tour of recommended local nurseries for great desert plants.
| Garden Design Track Electives Schedule |
These classes may be taken individually or credited toward a Mastership Certificate of Completion.
Taught by irrigation specialist Jeff Lee, this program is intended for homeowners. Learn how to design a drip irrigation system that will be efficient and able to handle your landscape as it grows into maturity. Proper zoning for plant materials, soils and microclimates will be covered, as well as concepts of hydraulics to ensure systems will function properly at start up and over time. Installation instruction covers the point of connection out to the end caps. Learn tips to help avoid many common mistakes associated with drip system design and installation. Hands-on activities include connecting poly tubing with a compression coupler, three styles of emitter installation, and when and why each should be used. Limit 30.
Click here to register on-line
If you are feeling overwhelmed about where to begin in designing or renovating your own home landscape, relax. Jo Miller, City of Glendale water conservation program manager and co-author of Earth Friendly Desert Gardening, will explain the basic principles of how to design in harmony with natural desert systems to create a beautiful landscape that is also water and energy efficient. Find out how to assess your specific property and draw a conceptual map. Your completed map will provide you with valuable information for future design decisions. Some simple design techniques will be introduced. This introductory program also includes many useful ideas and techniques for homeowners with existing landscapes. A portion of class fees go directly to support the City of Glendale Xeriscape Botanical Garden. Limit 30.
Click here to register on-line
Have you ever wanted to create a beautiful and functional therapeutic retreat in your backyard? Take advantage of this workshop, presented by Paul Holdeman, owner of The Pond Gnome, to learn the benefits of water-saving and safety-conscious water feature design. Certified desert landscaper, Master Gardener, and certified aquascape contractor Paul Holdeman will show you how water feature construction can be accomplished while keeping the precious balance of our desert climate in mind. Water features can actually use less water than lawns or swimming pools, and still create valuable habitat for many wildlife species. Session one includes an industry overview, discussing topics from the ethics of water features in the desert to construction methodologies. Session two will cover proper installation techniques and construction of a wildlife habitat pond using flexible ponding systems. Students will gain an understanding of the many advantages to water-wise features, proper maintenance and wildlife health issues. Limit 20.
Click here to register on-line
