Gardening Classes Saturday Mornings at Valley View Farms

Happy New Year! Maybe gardening is on your list of things to improve on in 2018. One of my resolutions for this year is to work on training my big, beautiful Alaskan Malamute in agility and weight pulling. While I have an idea what to do, working with a certified trainer and being with like-minded people will increase my chance for success.

Yes, I did sneak a picture of Jefferson into the blog!

The same can be said for working with plants; it is fun to work in a group and to accomplish a project and/or learn more about a segment of gardening.
In that spirit, we offer seminars and workshops most of the year, but especially now in winter and later in early spring. Seminars are free of charge; workshops have a fee to cover the cost of materials to create here at the store.

Listed are the dates and titles of our upcoming classes in January and February. Classes are scheduled on Saturday morning at 9 or 11 o'clock. Updates appear on our website. There is no need to pre-register; we will also be mentioning these events on our facebook page as a reminder the week of the class.

• January 7: Bonsai Basics led by bonsai business owner Martha Meehan. Martha has worked with us since 1985, providing primarily tropical bonsai starters and finished trees.
  
• January 13: Today's  workshop will teach each participant how to put together a Houseplants Container Garden. Textures, colors and plant characteristics will play a part in our choices for potted plants. Basics of potting media, choosing containers, fertilizing, watering and other subjects will be part of the conversation.  

  

  Crotons and Aglaonemas...are they compatible in a container?

• January 27: Growing African Violets and other Gesneriads. Eric R knows plants and is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge about Chiritas, Epicias, African Violets, Streptocarpus and other plants that will grow in a home environment. 

  

  Streptocarpus 

• February 3: Join us for our second monthly Bonsai meeting to discuss a hodgepodge of winter subjects relating to propagation and pruning. Martha Meehan returns to host the class.
  
• February 10, 9 am: Create a Valentine's Day Planter to give to a loved one. Planters will feature red or pink plants, some with heart-shaped leaves or flowers. Cost of materials will average about $27.00. Children are welcome. 

  

  Anthuriums have heart-shaped leaves and flowers

• February 10, 11 am: Our Fairy Garden Workshop will help children and adults combine the best design techniques with plants suitable for miniature gardens. Cindi Fielder will be our instructor. Cost of materials vary widely according to props used in the gardens. 

  

  Fairy houses are one of many accessories to add to a garden

• February 17, 9 am: Work with Tillandsias. These airplants are featured on Pintrest, Etsy and other sites with fun projects. Today, instructors Jen Kostick and Katie Newman will show participants how to create a framed tillandsia garden suitable for wall-hanging. Cost of materials including frame and plants is $26.00. 

  

  We'll have plenty of tillandsias to work with

• February 17, 11 am: The  Staghorn Fern Workshop will provide instruction for mounting a staghorn fern to a plaque for wall hanging. Jen and Katie team up once again to assist with this fun project. Cost of materials including board, moss and plants is $25.00.

  

  Staghorn Fern