What grows best in a fall garden? When is too late to plant? Learn best practices forgrowing fall greens and root vegetables in central Alabama. Regional Extension AgentHolt Akers-Campbell will share tips for garden preparation, planting dates, and maintenance particular to these cool-season vegetables. A demonstration and discussion will take place in Bruno Vegetable Garden…
Harvest time at the Gardens is the perfect opportunity to get your hands dirty and afun way to contribute to our community! Join Specialty Garden Horticulturist Katelyn Bahr in the vegetable garden for our end-of-summer harvest. Produce goes to The Foundry Ministries, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. Location: Bruno Vegetable Garden
Passalong plants span generations as they are shared among neighbors, friends, and family members. Director of Longleaf Botanical Gardens and Urban Regional Extension Agent Hayes Jackson will showcase an array of passalong plants and work with participants on dividing, taking cuttings, and growing seedlings in this hands-on workshop. Registrants will receive a plant to take…
Few trees are as beautiful as the “autumn welcoming tree,” or Japanese maple. With thousands of varieties and cultivars, including hybrids, the iconic Japanese maple tree is among the most versatile small trees for use in the landscape. Join us to hear Ross Callaway, longtime Gardens volunteer and Japanese maple enthusiast, tell the story of…
Curious about bonsai? Experience this fascinating and living artas a part of the Gardens’ Fall Japanese Gardening Series. You will learn to start, care for and train your very own bonsai in this hands-on workshop with Victor Wilson of the Alabama Bonsai Society. Registrants will receive a dwarf Satsuki azalea to pot and begin training.…
Learn about the Japanese art of pruning and karikomi, the technique of shearing back shrubs that is a distinctive element of Japanese gardens. Horticulturist Julia Adams directs this hands-on workshop on proper pruning techniques for maples and shrubs in our Japanese Garden. Location: Japanese Garden
Did you know that bee behavior varies greatly across climates? For instance, the busyforaging season for bees will be much longer in the warmer South than it will be in theNorth. In this introductory class, Jeff Lisenby of the Jefferson County Beekeepers Association will discuss honeybee biology and behavior followed by an overview of beekeeping…
Fall is the perfect time to prepare your garden for spring. Improving your soil’s physical and chemical properties is a goal of every gardener as it creates a better environment for plant growth. In this class Friends’ Director of Gardens Support Jane Underwood explains how to determine the current condition of your soil and walks…
In this workshop centered on the wonder of exploring nature with an artist's eye, local teaching artist and naturalist Melissa Shultz-Jones will guide you through the painting process, beginning with the practice of observation. You will learn essential watercolor techniques, including sketching, composition, color mixing, and painting. No experience is necessary; all levels of expertise…
Boasting more than 200 different species of native plants, the Kaul Wildflower Garden celebrates the diverse flora of Alabama and demonstrates a variety of roles native plants can play in our gardens. Join Senior Horticulturist Keith Turney for an autumn walk among the wildflowers. Keith will focus on the plants that grow in this special…
Try your hand at naturalistic flower arranging with local landscape and floral designer Zachary Westall as your guide. In this two-hour workshop, you will learn how to select seasonal plant materials and properly clip from a plant without damaging it orthe environment. Then experiment with composition using unexpected elements alongwith principles of design to create…
Planting bulbs is a great way to add seasonal color to garden beds and containers. Among the many factors that determine success with bulbs, getting them in the ground at the right time is key. In this class Jefferson County Regional Extension Agent Bethany O’Rear will talk about spring-blooming bulbs including variety selection, soil preparation,…
