Chicago Botanic Garden Winter 2019

Horticulture To register, visit chicagobotanic.org/education or call (847) 835-6801. 25 Horticulture Holiday Dish Gardens Dish gardens, miniature landscapes grown in shallow containers, can be used as living centerpieces throughout the year. Learn about containers, materials, proper plant selection, seasonal color schemes, and how to incorpo- rate different themes. Then create your own beautiful, functional dish garden. Please bring an apron, gloves, trowel, and hand pruners. Tim Pollak, outdoor floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $71/$89 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Monday, December 2, 6 – 8 p.m. Winter Containers at the Garden Explore the winter containers at the Garden and learn ways to extend your own contain- ers into the winter season. Then prepare a container with fresh-cut evergreen boughs and berried or brightly colored branches. Please bring gloves and pruners. Kathryn Deery, Chicago Botanic Garden $71.20/$89 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Tuesday, December 3, 10 a.m. – noon or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. New! Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation Workshop The shiitake is an edible mushroom native to East Asia that is used in many dishes across the world. Explore the history and various methods of shiitake mushroom cultivation. Each student will create and leave with their own inoculated oak log that will produce shiitake mushrooms for years to come. Moira O’Keefe, wild mushroom expert $42/$53 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Saturday, December 7, noon – 2 p.m. Introduction to Beekeeping Learn all the basics needed to start keeping bees. This includes what to expect, how to put together equipment, how to get bees in your hive, finding the queen, feeding, what to look for after the bees are installed, and seasonal chores. Wil Pilipauskas, head beekeeper, Willie’s Honey Company $57/$72 | Classroom 2, Learning Center Sunday, December 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. New! Holiday Succulent Centerpiece Workshop Rich in color and texture, succulents add stylish impact to holiday centerpieces. Join us to create your own elongated centerpiece with candles that will be perfect when displayed on your coffee table, dining room table, or win- dowsill. This also makes a perfect holiday gift. Alcohol will be served in this class; participants must be 21 years of age or older. Michelle Maestre, Chicago Botanic Garden $89/$112 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Tuesday, December 10, 6 – 8 p.m. Backstage Pass: Winter Floral Wonders In the colder months, the Garden’s Green- houses brim with poinsettias and other holiday plants of many hues. Learn about propagation techniques, greenhouse environmental and computer systems, watering and fertilizing equipment, and how the growing space is managed throughout the year. Tim Pollak, outdoor floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Meet at the Production Greenhouses Saturday, December 14, 9 – 11 a.m. New! How to Upcycle Your Used Christmas Tree Not quite ready to let go of your Christmas tree after the holidays? In this demonstration workshop, learn how to upcycle your tree by breaking it down and creating beautiful con- tainers or window boxes. You will also find out ways to use the branches to spruce up your flower beds in the winter months. Michelle Maestre, Chicago Botanic Garden $19/$24 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Tuesday December 17, 6 – 7 p.m. Glass Jar Terrarium Workshop Terrariums are back. Learn, step by step, how to create a glass jar terrarium. A glass jar and an assortment of small indoor plants for a vari- ety of light conditions will be provided for you to create your own miniature oasis to enjoy this winter and all year long. Please bring gloves, an apron if desired, and pruning shears. Tim Pollak, outdoor floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $71/$89 | Classroom 6, Learning Center Wednesday, January 22, 6 – 8 p.m. Super Seed Weekend Classes Join us for Super Seed Weekend January 25 & 26 Organic Vegetable Gardening Basics Learn the basic techniques and tools required to grow your own vegetables. Site selection, bed and soil preparation, seed sowing, trans- planting, and harvesting techniques will be covered. This introductory vegetable-growing class is best suited for those with little or no vegetable-growing experience. You will receive a packet of seeds to grow at home. Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center Saturday, January 25, 9 – 11 a.m. Seed Cleaning and Storing Workshop Explore dry and wet seed processing for your backyard or community garden. The workshop includes strategies to collect seeds, hands-on processing, and tips for storage to extend the life of your seeds. Materials for this class are in- expensive and easy to find so you can replicate these techniques at home. Kris De la Torre, Windy City Harvest, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Design Studio, Regenstein Center Saturday, January 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Planning Your Garden for Seed Saving Learn the fundamentals of seed saving. By plan- ning ahead, you can produce a bountiful harvest of healthy, true-to-type seeds in your garden. Lisa Hilgenberg, horticulturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center Saturday, January 25, 1 – 3 p.m. New! Seed-Starting Intensive Explore topics including the cultural, historical, and environmental significance of saving seeds. You will learn the different pollination process- es and special practices for heirloom or single varietal plantings. Conversations will focus on the ecological relationships in seed saving, fundamental seed literacy, good food and good land practices, and our roles as stewards of the seeds. Kris De la Torre, Windy City Harvest, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center Sunday, January 26, 9 a.m. – noon $ Members receive a 20 percent discount, listed in each class description before the full nonmember price.