Painting the Autumn Gardens with Pastels
Be inspired by the brilliant colors of autumn and beautiful gardens in this two-day pastel workshop. Geared for all levels of experience, this course will introduce beginning artists to pastels with pure pigments that offer the perfect complement to the colorful bounty of nature. For experienced painters, the course offers techniques to create painterly works with bold color and mark-making. Diana combines demonstrations with one-on-one attention and encouragement at the easel. Using fun exercises, participants will learn how to use color and value selection, simplified compositions, and mark-making to create expressive garden and landscape paintings. Participants will have plenty of time to paint and complete fully developed paintings. Suitable for teens 14+.
Learn MoreEcological Landscape Design (Sold Out)
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | To design landscapes inspired by—and inclusive of—nature, it is essential to study design principles through the lens of natural systems. In this three-day course led by landscape architect Lisa Cowan and landscape designer and horticulturist Irene Barber, students will learn to identify and incorporate the components of ecological landscape design. Online and onsite, we will examine the systems influencing design decisions, practice environmental site analysis, and design conceptual plot plans for a selected site. Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Learn MoreGreen Spotlight Series: Sustainable Lawn Opportunities
What if you could grow a lawn that required barely any mowing, no pesticides or irrigation, and fostered pollinators and other wildlife? Tom Christopher will share his years of research and experience creating and maintaining such alternative greenswards. Transform turf into a healthy and attractive asset for the local ecosystem while saving money and reducing maintenance. Yes, the grass—and other adapted plants—can be greener on your side of the fence. Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Learn MoreGreen Spotlight Series: Sustainable Lawn Opportunities
What if you could grow a lawn that required barely any mowing, no pesticides or irrigation, and fostered pollinators and other wildlife? Tom Christopher will share his years of research and experience creating and maintaining such alternative greenswards. Transform turf into a healthy and attractive asset for the local ecosystem while saving money and reducing maintenance. Yes, the grass—and other adapted plants—can be greener on your side of the fence. Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
Learn MoreResilient Landscapes in Built Environments: Plants and Practices
Tailored to emerging or current professionals in the green industry, Plants and Practices guides students through the valuable process of landscaping with native plants and working in harmony with nature to achieve high-performing, resilient landscape systems. The four-part course features detailed instruction about native woody plants and native herbaceous plants for specific environmental applications; instruction and discussion about effective implementation and long-term management practices for various projects; and how to establish comprehensive, functional, and successful communication between clients and contractors. We will discuss biodiversity in plant communities, plant adaptation, successional design and growth, erosion control, installation of green infrastructure, building trust and establishing landscape programs that include long-term management and design, and much more. These interactive virtual sessions will help native-plant-savvy students plan for the next level of design and management. Class Level: Advanced
Learn MoreMaking a Winter Wreath, Friday
Just in time for the holidays, make a wreath from sustainably harvested, fresh, and aromatic evergreen materials, berries, decorative twigs, and fuzzy flower buds that will be the perfect addition to your winter decor. Wreaths come in all shapes, sizes, and themes, and this class will inspire you to think outside the box. We will provide cocoa, tea, and snacks to fuel your creativity. Please bring garden clippers or pruners (scissors are not recommended). All other materials will be supplied.
Making a Winter Wreath, Saturday (Sold Out)
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Just in time for the holidays, make a wreath from sustainably harvested, fresh, and aromatic evergreen materials, berries, decorative twigs, and fuzzy flower buds that will be the perfect addition to your winter decor.
Learn MoreGreen Spotlight Series: Rebuilding Abundance
There is a pressing need for more inspiring and ecologically rich planting in our urban and rural landscapes. Constraints such as tight budgets, environmental extremes, and limited familiarity with diverse planting systems among clients and crews present significant challenges. Representing Phyto Studio, Claudia will delve into the scientific models and techniques to surmount these obstacles. Join us as she shares insights on enriching, even the most challenging, spaces with evocative planting, offering ecologically rich, appealing, resilient, and maintainable solutions. Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Learn MoreMake A Festive Arrangement
Set your festive tablescape off with a handmade floral arrangement. Floral designer and Gardens' horticulturist, Lesley Paxson will guide you through the steps of composition and arrangement with some tips and tricks to ensure your personal arrangement will last as long as possible. Skills developed can be translated into seasonal arrangements all year long. All Levels. Available for students 14 and over.
Learn MoreGreen Spotlight Series: Small Trees for Tough Spaces
It can sometimes take a small tree to solve a big landscape problem. Explore the toughest understory, ornamental, and native trees that can adapt to challenging growing conditions and still provide beauty and ecological function to any garden or landscape. Arborist Chris Roddick will share his over 30 years of experience planting, growing, and caring for trees from compacted contaminated urban soils to rural development sites with stripped-away topsoil. We’ll look at different tree species that can help build back soil health or remediate drainage problems, as well as trees that best provide food and habitat for wildlife while adding beauty to an assortment of garden environments. Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Learn MoreGreen Spotlight Series: Tree Care Strategies for Our Changing Climate
Climate change impacts both heritage and newly planted tree species. Kristina Bezanson, Master Arborist and professor at UMass Stockbridge, will discuss specialized arboriculture practices, tree selection, and analyses that will help to prevent, protect, or extend the life of our valuable trees. Foresters, arborists, landscapers, or land stewards, will benefit from this vital discussion of how we consider the evolving effects of climate change. Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Learn MoreGreen Spotlight Series: Greenhouse Technologies & Practices
Prospective, new and experienced greenhouse growers alike will enjoy this discussion about specific crop considerations, including growing methods, materials and technologies for the best results. Flower farmers, native plant growers, and retail nursery growers will hear which greenhouse systems have shown to be more effective and appropriate for certain growing operations and materials, such as soil media, in-ground, bench systems, flooding benches, overhead irrigation, and more. Get ready for an active discussion, and bring your questions! Class Level: Intermediate to Advanced
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