for immediate release

Gardening 101 for Homeowners

Regenstein School Offers Weekend Series

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 6, 2008)—For homeowners unsure how to maintain their landscape, or for beginning gardeners wanting to learn basic horticultural skills, the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden offers the “Weekend Gardener” series this spring.

The lecture series answers gardening questions and introduces techniques for gardening success. Each class investigates a different topic related to one’s own lawn and garden. The schedule is:

Botany for Beginners – Saturday, January 24, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Come and enjoy a brief introduction to botany, the science of plants. Learn how plants make and store food, get pollinated and protect and disperse their seeds. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.
Houseplant How-To’s – Saturday, February 7, 10 a.m. to noon
Learn to turn your struggling houseplants into a lush jungle of an indoor garden. Join Sharon Nejman for a closer look at the needs of houseplants, including light, temperature, humidity and water. You will also learn how to identify and treat common houseplant pests, the dos and don’ts of watering and repotting, how to choose the best plants and much more. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden Members pay $29.
Soils: Where Are Your Roots? – Saturday, February 14, 9:30 a.m. to noon
One of the secrets to gardening success is an understanding of soils. Join Glenn Grosch for a detailed discussion of soils, including structure, fertilizers, understand and managing pH, soil amendments and water management. Cost is $45. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $36.
Starting from Seed – Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m. to noon
This course covers all elements of starting both annuals (flowers and vegetables) and perennials from seed. The discussion includes plant selection, containers, planting mixes, watering, heating lighting and disease control. The primary focus is on starting seeds indoors, but some time is also spent on successful transplanting and starting seeds directly in the garden. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.
Fruit Trees for Beginners – Saturday, February 28, 9:30 a.m. to noon
This class will cover selecting varieties, choosing a suitable location, site preparation and proper planting. Pruning techniques, ongoing maintenance and pest management will also be discussed. Fruits to be covered include apples, peaches, pears, apricots, cherries and plums. Cost is $45. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $36.
Brambles and Berries for the Beginner – Saturday, March 7, 9:30 a.m. to noon
You will learn hot to choose the best varieties of fresh berries, select and prepare a site, and use proper planting and pruning techniques, as well as understand other maintenance requirements. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes and currants will be featured. Dress for the weather, as part of the class will be outside. Cost is $45. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $36.
Pruning Principles – Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Learning the correct technique for pruning is key to maintaining healthy plants. Tim Johnson, the Garden’s horticulture director, will introduce you to the principles of pruning trees and shrubs, and the best time to prune both evergreen and deciduous plants. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.
Growing Vegetables is “Cool” – Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join the Garden’s Fruit & Vegetable Garden horticulturist, Rick Belding, to learn how to grow cool-season vegetables, which can be grown in either the spring or fall. Learn which plants prefer cooler temperatures and those that actually taste better when grown at them. Cost is $45. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $36.
Getting Started with Perennials – Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Learn about choosing the right perennial for the right garden location, and how to combine different perennials to create a lovely and interesting garden that blooms throughout the growing season. Horticulturist Rachael Williams discusses pruning and pinching techniques, deadheading and dividing, and other cultural methods to help you keep your garden growing healthy and strong. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.
Spring Lawn Care for Homeowners – Saturday, April 4, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Here’s your chance to lean the basics of lawn care. Using the Garden’s holistic turf management program as a model, expert Tom Fritz explains how to cultivate a thriving lawn while lessening pesticide use. Please dress for the weather. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.
Get Started with Annuals – Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Annuals can be used in many ways to provide constant color in your flowerbeds, containers, window boxes and perennial borders. Join the Garden’s outdoor floriculturist, Tim Pollak, as he reveals the most dependable varieties as well as the new and unusual. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.
Growing Warm-Season Vegetables in a Small Space – Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
As summer approaches, why not consider growing your own vegetables? Join the Garden’s Fruit & Vegetable Garden horticulturist, Rick Belding, and discover time saving secrets to growing warm-season vegetables in a small space. Cost is $45. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $36.
Planting Techniques – Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Proper planting entails much more than just putting a plant in the ground. Good techniques are vital for establishing a successful landscape. Learn how to do a site analysis, prepare the site, select plants, and use specific plating techniques for trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers. Please dress for the weather. Cost is $37. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $29.

Register for all 13 courses at once and receive a 10% discount. For a course catalog describing programs and classes in more detail, or to register, call the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden at (847) 835-8261, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.