Learn to GROW Series - Class 6 - Design your Dream Garden

Grow Series of 6 Classes. Sign up for any or all classes from the South Coast Botanical Gardens website >>>Register for Classes (http://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/event/new-grow-series/2016-09-09/)<<<

The GROW Series will cover Garden Design, Soil Prep and Composting, Irrigation, Pest Management and more.

Fridays, Sep. 9, (skip 16), 23, (skip 30), Oct. 7, 14, 21, (skip 28), Nov. 4

2:00pm – 4:00pm

Cost: $65 members / $80 non-members

Drop-in: $12 members / $15 non-members

The ‘rules’ of gardening are changing fast, forcing many gardeners back to the basics. It is the perfect time to start your gardening journey or for experienced gardeners to brush up on the science that makes a garden a beautiful oasis. Certified UC Master Gardeners will take beginners and seasoned gardeners alike through a comprehensive six-session series to give you the greenest thumb possible with hands-on demonstrations in the Garden.

Optional at-home preparation is listed below for individual classes. Registration required. Tickets may be purchased directly from the SCBG site or by calling the Guest Services Center at (310) 544-1948.

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Class 1– Friday, Sep. 9:Theory of Garden Design

This class explores basic principles and practices of garden design for a changing climate.

Class 2– Friday, Sep. 23:Soil Building and Composting

In this class, you will get to know soil and the soil food web. Learn methods of reading your soil’s basic condition as well as basic principles of composting and soil building, including various methods and vital ingredients.

*Prep Work:Bring soil from your growing space: clear debris and organic matter from the area, remove twigs and leaves. Dig 12 inches down, and shovel two cups of soil into a clear-sided quart glass jar with lid. Bring to class.

Class 3– Friday, Oct. 7:Irrigation for a Changing Climate

Water restrictions are not going anywhere, but your garden can still thrive during the drought. Topics covered include symptoms of water stress, tips to conserve water in your current landscape with an emphasis on rain harvesting, berms and swales methods to help specific plants survive a drought and planting a drought-resistant landscape.

Class 4– Friday, Oct. 14:Soil Remediation for Urban Landscapes

Urban soil is typically compacted, disturbed or contaminated. Soil remediation introduces gardeners to the basics of rehabilitating the soil, keeping soil alive or bringing soil back to life (bioremediation). Learn how to save your urban soil and restore it back to health.

Class 5– Friday, Oct. 21:Introduction to Integrated Pest Management

Gardening with a social conscience is easier to achieve than one might think. Learn how to turn your garden into a healthy habitat and environment where plants and beneficial critters thrive and as a place where pests and diseases can be controlled in an environmentally sustainable way.

*Prep Work: Gardeners are encouraged to bring samples of garden insects or plant parts affected by disease for identification, sealed in a ziploc bag.

Class 6– Friday, Nov. 4:Designing your Dream Garden

This hands-on class is a review of principles and practices learned from the series and applied to your own growing space!

Prep Work: Bring a map of your garden/growing space showing the four cardinal directions (N, S, E, W), existing hardscapes (pool, trellis, driveway, walkways, stairways, etc.) and topography (slopes, etc.). Bring pictures of plants, flowers, structures or dream gardens you admire to class.