Growing From Seed for the Landscape

In partnership with the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens presents the Green Spotlight Series, featuring local and national researchers, instructors, and field professionals from the green industry discussing topics valuable to peer professionals.

Sowing native plants is becoming more and more popular, but what, when, and how to cultivate them remains an area of uncertainty. Leslie will discuss sowing native plants for a variety of successful landscape settings, including the methods and timing for sowing seeds that will lead to strong germination rates and long-term growth, from what and where we can sow outdoors in November to what should be sown indoors during February or March. Leslie’s knowledge about propagating native plants will be valuable to any landscape or nursery professional.

The variety of topics in Green Spotlight Series is designed for a diverse range of landscape-related professionals from nursery and lawn-care specialists to arborists, landscapers, gardeners, and landscape designers/architects. MELNA members are eligible for the CMBG member price and will earn recertification credits and several sessions will count toward the State of Maine's Pesticide License recertification. Please inquire regarding credit approval for all other network agencies.

Location: Online
Instructor: Leslie Duthie
Price: $10 / $15
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Irrigation Management: Greenhouse & Nursery

Water management can impact plant health and nutrient management. Here, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of a variety of water management systems available at greenhouses and nurseries. We’ll also briefly cover new technologies for managing water. After the talk, participants are welcome to pose questions and share new ideas.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Stephanie Burnett
Price: $10 / $15
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Winter Solstice Wreaths

Diane welcomes all wreath-making elves, both those returning and those new to the craft, to learn about creating custom winter wreaths. Follow along as she demonstrates the techniques behind festive wreaths, table, and mantel arrangements. Upon registration, we’ll email you a list of materials needed to participate.

Location: Online
Instructor: Diane Walden
Price: $15 / $18
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What is Natural Design?

True native design encompasses more than simply using native plants. Considering ecological process in the design, planting, and management of native landscapes may very well be the missing components. This presentation examines how alternative approaches on everything from selecting, arranging, and spacing plants to the simple act of weeding can yield a more easily maintained landscape, one that express the beauty and ecological richness of our native surroundings.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Larry Weaner
Price: $10 / $15
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Water Management in Urban Landscapes

Managing hydrology in cities presents profound design challenges including: finding space for daylighting and unsealing of pavement; managing urban flooding from extreme precipitation events; and restoring surface and subsurface water quality. These challenges are increasingly complex, given climate change and global urbanization. Landscape professionals have the skills and knowledge needed to meet these challenges while, at the same time, bringing beauty and resilience to our cities.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Jack Ahern
Price: $10 / $15
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Efficiency in Greenhouse Growing

This talk will cover the above-ground aspects of greenhouse production and how to make it more productive, efficient, and profitable. Jeff Marstaller, greenhouse grower and owner of solar-powered Cozy Acres in North Yarmouth, will share his experience and a variety operations factors to consider, such as location, resources, and business model. He will speak to a spectrum of subtopics including selection, timing and quantities of crops, potted plant production, processes, goals and expectations, and details of plant sales and distribution. Both the beginner and the experienced greenhouse grower will find a valuable chance to network and share knowledge among peers.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Jeff Marstaller
Price: $10 / $15
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Natural Landscape Design

Monday, January 25, March 1, and Saturday, May 15 Join landscape designer Larry Weaner as he guides students through the step-by-step process of designing native, ecology-based landscapes for New England. Specifics will include site analysis, species selection and arrangement, and the creation of ecological, process-based management specifications. Techniques to artfully combine all of these considerations will be woven throughout the program.

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Location: Online / at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 132 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Larry Weaner
Price: $225 / $275
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Landscaping with Wild Edibles

Growing edibles, especially natives, is a practice gaining traction in New England’s landscape industry. Incorporating native and wild edible plants provides a number of benefits; it adds biodiversity to the landscape, and eating produce straight from the garden deepens a connection to nature. Andy Brand, the Gardens’ Curator of Living Collections, will discuss some of his favorite perennial native edibles, from the woody to the herbaceous, highlighting design applications for both function and beauty.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Andy Brand
Price: $10 / $15
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Nature’s Best Hope: An Introduction

Global insect declines and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check regarding the how poorly our current landscape designs sustain the plants and animals that sustain us. The good news is there are steps we can take. We are nature’s best hope, and Doug Tallamy will discuss simple actions each of us can—and must—take to reverse declining biodiversity.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Doug Tallamy
Price: $10 / $15
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Fruit Vines and Strawberries: What’s New?

Vines, especially edible vines, have been designed into gardens for centuries as canopy, food, and privacy, adding contrast and dimension to any landscape setting. This presentation will discuss new and classic varieties, plus how to manage the grapes, hardy kiwis, strawberries, and hops that work well in Maine landscapes. David Handley, berry fruit specialist at Highmoor Farm, will discuss what's available and appropriate for different applications and review growth habits, flowering times, colors, and what varieties will provide fruit through much of the season.

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Location: Online
Instructor: David Handley
Price: $10 / $15
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Fruit Trees: Yielding Beauty and Flavor

Renae Moran, a fruit tree specialist at Highmoor Farm for UMaine Cooperative Extension, will discuss a selection of fruit trees for the home landscape, how much space they need, and the basics of espalier training for small spaces. Dwarf cherries, apples, and new peach varieties are just a few of the options to consider, all appropriate for a variety of landscape applications. Join us to learn more about, or to refresh and update, your fruit tree repertoire.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Renae Moran
Price: $10 / $15
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Foundational Factors for Sustainable Turf

A sustainable and ecologically sound turf system succeeds when it is built on a foundation of sound agronomic practices matched to site characteristics and turf performance objectives. We will consider how factors such as aspect, light, soil condition and health, proximity to environmentally sensitive areas, and degree of turf maturity can inform decisions regarding implementation and timing of key cultural practices. In particular, we will examine the selection and establishment of appropriate turfgrass species and cultivars as an essential component of turf sustainability.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Mary Owen
Price: $10 / $15
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