Chicago Botanic Garden Winter 2019

Regenstein School | Adult Education 26 To register, visit chicagobotanic.org/education or call (847) 835-6801. Valentine’s Date Night Terrarium Workshop Celebrate Valentine’s Day by learning to create a beautiful glass jar terrarium from start to finish. A glass jar, an assortment of small indoor plants for a variety of light conditions, and other materials themed with Valentine’s Day colors will be provided to create your own miniature oasis to enjoy all year long. Please bring gloves, an apron if desired, and pruning shears. Price is for two people, and you will take home one terrarium to share. Alcohol will be served in this class; participants must be 21 years of age or older. Tim Pollak, outdoor floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $119/$149 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Friday, February 14, 6 – 8 p.m. Succulents 101 Do you think you lack a green thumb? Do you have trouble keeping plants alive? Explore the captivating world of succulents. We will discuss needs and care techniques of common succu- lents and cactus, what characteristics define a succulent, and other examples of low-mainte- nance arid plants. Anna Andersen, horticulturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Classroom 5, Learning Center Saturday, February 15, noon – 2 p.m. Fruit Tree Pruning Techniques Pruning and training can be intimidating, but with a little preparation, this rewarding winter activity will make your trees healthy and strong, and thus, more productive. You will learn about apples, pears, and cherries and other stone fruits that thrive in the Midwest. Both organic and conventional care will be addressed so you can grow the kind of fruit you want to provide for your family. Dan Bussey, apple historian and preservationist $32/$40 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Sunday, February 16, 9 – 11 a.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 1, Learning Center Saturday, February 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Growing Orchids Indoors Learn how easy it is to grow orchids right in your own home. This includes selecting orchids best suited to your growing conditions, how to grow and maintain orchids on windowsills and under artificial lights, how to keep your plants healthy, and how to avoid common mistakes encountered by new growers. This class is great for beginners and those interested in improving their orchid-growing skills. Students are encouraged to bring in their plants from home for questions and discussion. Anne Nies, horticulture educator $32/$40 | Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center Friday, February 28, 10 a.m. – noon Propagating Local Bees Learn how to avoid buying bees for your apiary every spring. We will cover how to select good stock to start your hive, easy ways to make a few queens to propagate stock that winters in your area, and how to make splits from your own bees to increase hive counts or replace dead colonies. Wil Pilipauskas, head beekeeper, Willie’s Honey Company $32/$40 | Classroom 1, Learning Center Saturday, February 29, 9 – 11 a.m. Swarms and Swarm Traps If you have beehives, you will have swarms. Explore the ecology and biology of honeybee swarming, how to make and use bait-boxes, where to start hunting for feral bees, and how to get them to stay put once you have them. Wil Pilipauskas, head beekeeper, Willie’s Honey Company $32/$40 | Classroom 1, Learning Center Saturday, February 29, noon – 2 p.m. Backstage Pass: The Orchid Show The Regenstein Center is filled with more than 10,000 orchids each year for our Orchid Show. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Orchid Show and learn about all the elements that go into executing it including set-up, plants, carpentry, graphics, and art. Julie Engleman, Chicago Botanic Garden $25/$32 | Linnaeus Room, Regenstein Center Saturday, February 29, 8:30 – 10 a.m. New! Indoor Farming for Health and Wellness Growing and eating sprouts can present benefits to enhance your immune function and increase your body’s ability to heal. Learn how easy it can be to grow life-giving foods that heal, how to incorporate sprouts into your diet, and taste samples of the indoor harvest. Gilbert and Lesley Bruce Smith, Arborsmith $32/$40 | Classroom 6, Learning Center Wednesday, March 4, 6 – 8 p.m. New! Orchid Dish Garden Workshop Orchids are great houseplants with long bloom times, and they are even more fantastic when presented as part of a miniature landscape in a shallow container. Create your own “tropical” oasis to enjoy this winter and all year long. Please bring gloves, an apron, and pruning shears. Alcohol will be served in this class; participants must be 21 years of age or older. Tim Pollak, outdoor floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden $89/$112 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Thursday, March 5, 6 – 8 p.m. Organic Gardening: A Fresh Approach Are you interested in organic gardening? Discover fundamental horticultural practices for a successful organic garden experience. Learn the “what and why” of organics, specific horticultural practices in plant nutrition and pest management, and organics from a retail consumer perspective. Glenn Grosch, horticulturist and agronomist $42/$53 | Classroom 4, Learning Center Saturday, March 7, 9:30 a.m. – noon New! Backyard Chickens: 101 If you’ve ever dreamed of walking out to your own chicken coop and collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, this workshop will get you started. Learn the basics of starting up your own flock of egg-laying chickens, local regulations, coop types, best breeds, chick rearing, and basic daily care of your flock. We will also have a live chicken to teach proper chicken handling. Christine Shiel, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Classroom 8, Learning Center Wednesday, March 11, 6 – 8 p.m. New! Mounting Orchids on Driftwood Mounting orchids on driftwood is a beautiful and natural way to display the flowers. Learn techniques, watering requirements, and which plants to choose. Create your own project to enjoy all year long. Please bring gloves. Anne Nies, horticulture educator $71/$89 | Plant Science Lab, Regenstein Center Saturday, March 14, 1 – 3 p.m. New! Backyard Chickens: Advanced Concepts It’s not as hard as you might think to become an urban farmer. Explore advanced coop de- sign, chicken behavior, nutrition, egg produc- tion and processing, licensing requirements, and solutions to common problems such as predators and grumpy neighbors. Learn the difference between organic and conventional practices, pasture-raised and free-range, and hybrid and heritage breeds. Christine Shiel, Chicago Botanic Garden $32/$40 | Classroom 5, Learning Center Wednesday, March 18, 6 – 8 p.m.