City dwellers seeking creative gardening solutions for challenging city conditions or planting a garden in a small space need travel no further than Lincoln Park to take advantage of School of the Chicago Botanic Garden courses.
The School will offer 15 classes from January through mid-May at the Notebaert Nature Museum. This location offers easy access to parking and the opportunity for expanded offerings such as hands-on workshops. Classes are taught by gardening experts and Chicago Botanic Garden staff, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Mondays. The schedule is as follows.
Indoor Herbs for Urban Dwellers - Monday, Jan. 17: Horticulturist and garden writer Greg Speichert shows how to grow great herbs indoors and gets participants started by planting herbs in class to take home. Cost is $37; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $29.
Botany for Beginners - Monday, Jan. 24: Wayne Becker, manager, academic programs, School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, introduces the basic principles of botany that are useful to the gardener, including plant physiology, reproduction, taxonomy and anatomy. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Shade Plants for City Gardens - Mondays, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7: Kim Kaulas, garden designer, the Perennial Gardener, discusses appropriate trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and annuals for shade, along with a format for creating an artistic and horticulturally successful design for shady outdoor spaces. Cost is $62; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $49.
Careers in Horticulture - Monday, Feb. 14: Wayne Becker, manager, academic programs, School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, will introduce the range of green professions and how they are interconnected. He discusses employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in the horticulture industry and related education, government and nonprofit settings. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Winter Pruning - Monday, Feb. 21: Heather Sherwood, supervisor, specialty areas, Chicago Botanic Garden, shows the techniques and principles behind proper dormant pruning and explores its myths and misinformation. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Great Trees and Shrubs for City Gardens - Monday, Feb. 28: Julie Stundins, horticulture manager, CCIL Landscape Services, discusses 20 trees proven to tolerate the harsh conditions urban street trees experience. She highlights each tree’s features and growing conditions. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Basic Elements of Urban Garden Design - Monday, March 7: Kim Kaulas, garden designer, The Perennial Gardener, gives a general overview of the basic considerations involved with evaluating urban residential landscape spaces and implementing desired transformations. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Planning Your Spring Garden: New Annuals and Perennials for 2005 - Monday, March 14: Kristin Ludwig, new product development specialist, Ball Horticultural Company, shows the newest introductions of annuals and perennials and reveals where to find them. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Twig Trellis Workshop - Monday, March 21: In this hands-on class, participants create two rustic trellises for their garden or large container. Horticulturist and garden writer Greg Speichert demonstrates how to assemble these easy garden accessories and has plenty of examples on hand. Cost is $62; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $49.
Topiaries for Spring - Monday, April 4: Students create and construct a live topiary under the guidance of topiary designer Karen Thomson. A large choice of frames, including bunnies, cats, dogs, a turtle, a teddy bear and geometric shapes, are available. Cost is $74; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $59.
Tillandsia Wreath Workshop - Monday, April 11: Under the guidance of Nancy Clifton, horticulturist, School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, students use tillandsia (air plants) to make a living wreath that will last for years. These maintenance-free plants need only a light misting to stay alive for a long time, and this unique wreath is perfect for a protected location outside in the summer. Cost is $99; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $79.
Beyond the Ordinary Container Gardens - Monday, April 18: Josh Schneider, gardener and national spokesperson, Proven Winners, shows some of the most exciting new and overlooked plants for containers and window boxes. Students learn which plants make eye-catching containers beautiful and lush from spring through fall. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Organic Edible Container Workshop - Monday, April 25: Lynn Bement, The Organic Garden Coach, shows how to grow salad greens, herbs and edible flowers in containers. She covers the basics on soil, watering, fertilizing and harvesting, and sends participants home with six organic edibles to plant in their own containers. Cost is $49; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $39.
Water Gardens for Small Spaces - Monday, May 2: Horticulturist and Garden Writer Greg Speichert shares examples of water features perfect for a small garden, patio or balcony. Participants learn how to build a small water garden from start to finish. Cost is $33; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $26.
Hanging Basket Workshop - Monday, May 9: Heather Sherwood, supervisor, specialty areas, Chicago Botanic Garden, discusses various styles, materials and plant ideas used in the Garden’s hanging baskets. Participants plant their own basket to enjoy at home. Cost is $87; Chicago Botanic Garden members and Chicago residents pay $69.
The Notebaert Nature Museum is located at 2430 N. Cannon Dr., just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo. Free street parking is available on both sides of Cannon Dr. A public parking lot, located directly across from the Museum on Cannon Drive, is available from mid-October to mid-April. Fees are $1 per hour (quarters only). Another public lot is located on Stockton Dr. next to the Conservatory. Fees are $3 for the first half hour and $1 for each additional half-hour, up to $8.
For a course catalog describing School of the Chicago Botanic Garden programs and classes in more detail, or to register, call the Chicago Botanic Garden Registrar at (847) 835-8261, or visit chicagobotanic.org/continuinged. |
