Tag: Organic Techniques

  • Mondays, October 22 – November 5, 10:00 am – Ecological Landscaping Techniques

    Decisions we make in our gardens today can have large impacts on the landscapes of tomorrow.  How do we ensure the long term sustainability of our backyards, business parks and public spaces?  Identify and address these potential problems by taking a comprehensive look at the landscape through the eyes of designers, horticuturists and botanists, in this three part New England Wild Flower Society class, to be held on three successive Mondays, October 22 (10 – 3), October 29 (10 – 3) and November 5 (10 – 2) at Garden in the Woods in Framingham.  Receive hands-on training in soil health and composting, plant ID and selection, storm water management and organic techniques – all filtered through the concepts of modern design.  Bring a bag lunch.  $216 for NEWFS members, $245 for non-members. Register at www.newfs.org. Photo from www.verbeeksculpture.com.

  • Thursday, March 4, 8:00 am – 3:30 pm – Landscape Maintenance: An Organic Approach

    The Arnold Arboretum is sponsoring a one day seminar with James J. Agabedis, Jr. of Minuteman Landscaping, Inc. on Thursday, March 4, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Improve your understanding of horticulture and enhance your landscape skills. This all-day class will introduce the basics of horticultural landscape maintenance. James Agabedis is the owner of Minuteman Landscaping, an all-organic land care company. Having worked in the industry since 1986, Jim is a pro at communicating with customers and employees, and brings a solid understanding of current landscape practices to the classroom. He is a Northeast Organic Farming Association-certified Organic Land Care Professional and emphasizes organic techniques in this class. Jim will present the following topics: landscape maintenance practices; soil fertility; plant growth and health; planting and pruning techniques; plant evaluation; equipment safety; and turf care. The class will take place indoors and on the grounds of the Arnold Arboretum. Certificates of attendance will be given to attendees. The fee includes morning coffee and program materials. Bring a lunch and beverage. Register early as this class fills quickly – log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.  Fee $90.

  • Mondays, February 8, 22, and March 1, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – Landscaping with Native Plants

    Join Michael Lance, owner and designer with Wild Regeneration, at the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum on three Mondays, February 8, February 22, and March 1, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, for this native plant design class.  Gardeners, smitten by a display of natives at a garden center, erroneously infer all sorts of attributes from the word “native,”such as “hardy,”“resilient,”“tough,”or even “better.”All of these traits may indeed apply to any native plant; however, this is dependent on the conditions in which the plant is grown. For example, a tough native wetland plant won’t be resilient when planted along the hot, dry edge of a driveway. In this class with designer Michael Lance you will learn about native plants that would be most suitable to your garden site. Michael will present some of the plants that he incorporates when designing gardens for clients, with class sessions about native trees, shrubs, and perennials. He’ll emphasize edible and medicinal plants, trees and shrubs that exhibit ornamental characteristics, and perennials that can withstand and thrive in urban and suburban New England conditions. Throughout the class Michael will incorporate organic techniques and his philosophy for developing healthy and beneficial garden habitats.
    Fee $70 Arnold Arboretum member, $85 nonmember. To register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

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