Garden classes

Timely topics help you achieve the results you want for your lawn and/or garden through these classes for the public. Most classes are taught by Master Gardeners and use the on-site Demonstration Gardens for hands-on learning, which is often cited as the best part of the class. If you would like to receive e-mail notices about classes, e-mail your request to stcharlesco@missouri.edu.

2012 classes

Tropicals in the Summer Garden!
Saturday, Jun 9, 10 a.m. - Noon
Fee: $20
How do you include those beautiful banana trees, gigantic elephant ears and other tropical plants in your summer garden or patio pots? Come hear how to plant these in your garden and how to over-winter them for use in years to come. Instructors: Mary Medina and Susan Dorris

Daylilies, Irises and Lilies
Saturday, Jun 16,  9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $20
Discover the many varieties of daylilies, irises and lilies. Learn cultural requirements. We will demonstrate how to divide plants to increase what you have or to share with others.
Includes a tour of the on-site daylily garden. Instructor: Donna Lindsey

A Lot About Honey, A Little About Bees
Saturday, Jun 23, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Fee: $20
From culinary to cosmetic, we will explore the many uses of honey. We will talk about the lovely honeybee and basic beekeeping information. Includes handouts and recipes for a scrub made with honey. Instructor: Diane Goodman

Gardening with Small Water Features
Saturday, Jun 30, 10 a.m. - Noon
Fee: $20
Learn how to set up and maintain water plants in containers or small ponds. Class will cover benefits of bubblers and their use within gardens, how to build a small water feature and which plants work best in water gardens. Instructor: Rita Zeitz

Controlling Moles in Your Lawn and Garden
Thursday, Jul 19,  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee: $15
Learn the techniques and materials needed to minimize mole damage in your yard or garden. Class covers identification and habits of these animals and control method demonstrations. Instructor: Chuck Baur

Fall Vegetable Gardening
Saturday, Aug 4,  9:00- 11:00 a.m.
Fee: $20
There are many cool season vegetables that do very well when started in late summer for fall harvest. Make plans now. Learn what vegetables to grow, timing and techniques for starting seeds, growing seedlings and transplanting in hot weather. Instructor: Paul Hendricks

Lasagna Gardening - Preparing a Garden Bed
Saturday, Aug 11, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Fee: $10
Are you tired of working with crummy soil? Tired of tilling and weeding? Try lasagna gardening! It differs from traditional gardening approaches by building up layers of organic material, which creates a soil mixture that is incredibly rich in nutrients and poor in weed seeds. We will show you how to build your own soil and explain the reason for each layer. Includes a tour of the on-site lasagna garden. Instructor: Micha Kornblum

Large Garden Pests
Saturday, Aug 18, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Fee: $20
Learn how to deal with some of the larger garden and landscape pests, such as squirrels, rabbits, groundhogs, raccoons and deer. Information includes the small, pesky vole. Class covers removal techniques and other ways to minimize damage to your landscape. Instructor: Chuck Baur

Lawns: Summer Recovery/Fall Renovation
Wednesday, Aug 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Fee: $20
Growing grass in Missouri can be challenging. Learn how to get your lawn in top shape. Topics include: soil prep, selecting species, seed and sod options, fall fertilization, watering and core aeration. Instructor: Scott Killpack, MU Extension Agronomist and Natural Resource Specialist

Organic Gardening
Wednesday, Sep 12, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $25
Learn the A to Z of growing vegetables, herbs, perennials, annuals and shrubs without harsh pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides. Includes handy resources for natural gardening.
Instructor: Leslie Limberg

Native Plants in the Home Landscape
Thursday, Sep 13, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Fee $20
Missouri native plants are a low cost and practical solution to drought tolerance, pest control, storm water management, as well as beauty in your landscape. Invest in your home gardens with long lived plants that also attract birds, pollinators and other wildlife to the yard. Come with personal concerns - this class details various uses to minimize your landscape maintenance. Instructor: Leslie Limberg

Registration

To register, call 636-970-3000. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. You can also pay cash at the extension center or mail a check. Registrations deadlines are one week before class. Refunds can be requested up to three days before class.

Additional family members living at the same address may register for half price if class materials are shared.

All classes are held at the St. Charles County extension center, unless otherwise noted.