Seminars and Workshops for Fall

 Our speakers are excited to bring seminars back this fall. Bonsai classes are the first Saturday of each month, others are on Saturdays unless noted. Please see our Instagram and facebook pages for updates or call 410-527-0700. All are free to attend, requiring no pre-registration. 

September 7, 9 am      Bonsai Forest Planting Demonstration All bonsai classes are presented by Martha     Meehan of Meehan's Miniatures. 

Bonsai forest grouping

Saike, forest and slab grouping are the subjects of Martha Meehan's demonstration.  Learn how best to group and style bonsai while finding out which trees are most suitable for this project. 

 September 14, 9 am    Fall Garden and Container Designs Demonstration

Freshen up fall perennial gardens and containers with the addition of autumn blooms and color. We’ll also look at trees and shrubs to add to containers and landscapes now.

 September 28, 9 am    Fall Lawn Clinic

Brian Brannan, Garden Shop Manager

Fall is the BEST time to seed a new lawn or repair an existing one. Our experts will discuss which fertilizers, seed and weed control to use for fantastic results now and next spring.

 October 5, 9 am    Bonsai Show and Tell

 Bonsai from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

It’s your turn to take the stage and show us your own bonsai tree. Everyone is encouraged to share their projects, telling us a bit about them and bask in the glory of your accomplishments. The Plant of the Month will be determined from the Show and Tell today.

 Wednesday, October 2, 10 am    Arrival of the Giant Pumpkin

Seth unloading last year's "Aunt Lisa"

How big will it be this year? Over 1,000 pounds? 2,000 pounds? Be here when the Giant Pumpkin arrives! Guess how many seeds are in this year’s pumpkin and record it in our book. We will count the seeds on October 26 at noon to find the winner and award gift cards.

October 19, 11 am-4 pm      Ask the Expert---Bartlett Tree Experts

John is president of The Maryland Arborist Association

John Davis from Bartlett Tree Experts is here to answer any questions you may have about tree and shrub care, including pruning, insect and disease management and general landscape maintenance. Bring in photos, leaves or branches for a free diagnosis. Bartlett Tree Experts partner with Valley View Farms to provide care and information about trees and shrubs in our community.

 October 26, 12-2 pm    Owl-O-Ween

Kathy (second from left) and others from Phoenix Wildlife Center

Fascinated by owls? Join us for a close look at these magnificent birds and learn more about their habitat from Kathy Woods and volunteers from The Phoenix Wildlife Center. Phoenix Wildlife Center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and return to the wild of owls and other wildlife.

 October 26, 12 noon    Great Pumpkin Seed Contest

Tom, Tim and Nick

Tom Tasselmyer, WBAL's Chief Meteorologist, Laurie and other members of the Tasselmyer family, count the seeds in the giant pumpkin. Guesses have been made through the month. Once counted, we will find the winning guesses and award a $300. Valley View Farms Gift Card for 1st place, $200. for 2nd and $100. for 3rd. Good luck to all!

November 2, 9 am    Winter Bonsai Care

As Old Man Winter approaches, care of both indoor and outdoor bonsai take center stage. Martha will discuss methods used to keep bonsai happy and healthy through the next few months. Our Plants of the Month are Citrus.

 November 2, 11 am    Winterizing the Water Garden

Winter is just around the corner. Tim McQuaid will provide tips to keep the pond healthy, the fish safe and the plants resting until the spring thaw.

 December 7, 9 am     Bonsai--- All about Pines

Martha Meehan will identify various types of pines and discuss their unique characteristics and care. Our Plant of the Month-- you guessed it, Pine.

 December 7, 11 am    Winter Porch Pot Designs

Join us for some ideas on how to create container evergreen designs and displays that will knock your stockings off just in time for holiday decorating outside. Guest speaker Claire Jones provides our inspiration.

Please join us and share ideas that you may have for future seminars and speakers. Thank you. 

 

January and February Seminar Schedule

 Opportunities for learning are everywhere, and we are back to a busy in-person seminar schedule for winter and early spring. Take a look at our schedule here and look for updates on our website, facebook, and instagram pages. 

We will usually meet in our greenhouse

Welcome to the World of Bonsai January 6, 9 am: We're delighted to have Martha Meehan, of Meehan's Miniatures back again this year. The first of 11 seminars that Martha will host is a basic class for new enthusiasts. Ficus is our Plant of the month. 

Martha's classes are scheduled the first Saturday of every month

Native Plants Winter Sowing Workshop January 13, 10 am:  Wild Ones Greater Baltimore hopes to educate and empower gardeners to help their local and surrounding ecosystems grow and thrive by using native plants and sustainable practices in our landscapes. Join Vinaya Frank and members of our local community for a winter seed sowing workshop to learn more about growing natives in our gardens. Please register for this class via our website or the website for Wild Ones. 

Photo courtesy of Wild Ones Greater Baltimore

Plant a Pot of Succulents Workshop January 27, 9 am: Plant your own potted garden of succulents. Our locally grown plants come in many varieties. Most plants cost $4.99. Include a clay pot, 3-5 succulents and soil for an approximate cost of $35 for today’s project. Led by our Greenhouse staff.

Kokedama Workshop January 27, 11:00 am: The Japanese Kokedama translates to moss ball. Chris will provide today’s instruction as we transplant plants into muck, then wrap the roots in moss. String design will finish off the project. The Kokedama balls can be displayed on a shelf or hung from the ceiling. Average cost of project $25.

Chris loves Kokedama

Bonsai Care and Feeding February 3, 9:00 am: Today’s seminar teaches enthusiasts about fertilizers, soils, and potting bonsai. Propagation of the plants we use for bonsai will also be addressed. Martha Meehan leads the class. Our Plant of the Month is Chamaecyparis.

Orchid Care and Repotting February 3, 11:00 am: Eric will demonstrate repotting an orchid. Bring your orchid; we will lend a helping hand as participants then repot their own plants. There will be a small fee for Orchid Potting Mix.

Eric demonstrates orchid care

Container Gardens and Terrariums for Valentine's Day Workshop February 10, 9:00 am: Create an adorable garden for your sweetheart (or yourself) using indoor plants with a heart. We will use red and pink plants and/or plants with heart-shaped leaves to design today’s planter. Children are welcome. Average cost of materials: $30.00. Brittany and Abby

Miniature and Fairy Garden Workshop February 10, 11:00 am: Create a new fairy garden or update an older garden with today’s workshop combining the best of design techniques with plants suitable for miniature gardening. The cost of your fairy garden will be based on the pot, soil, fairies, and plants.

Tillandsia (Air-plant) and Bromeliad Workshop February 17, 9:00 am: Air-plants have become very popular due to their ease of care and amazing design possibilities. Our Greenhouse team will present several designs. Participants may create their own. Most tillandsias cost $4.99. Total project costs will vary.

What's New in Houseplants and Tropicals? February 24, 9:00 am: Houseplants and Tropicals are HOT! Learn about some of the new varieties available from Valley View Farms and our growers from Florida. Stay connected through our Instagram posts. Learn from Eric, our buyer, who’s passion for houseplants knows no bounds. 

Eric and Cynthia are 2 of our knowledgeable speakers 

Vegetable Gardening Basics February 24, 11:00 am: New to gardening? Learn about what plants need to grow, seeds vs. transplants, how to read seed packets and fertilizer labels, gardening zones and best planting dates, sustainable and organic gardening practices, dealing with weeds, insects, and diseases, when to harvest, planting in the ground vs. in containers, soil amendments, pH, and more. Carrie will lead today’s class and discussion.  

We will be donating $5 per workshop participant to the WBAL Radio Kids Campaign.

PLANT OF THE WEEK: Vietnamese Water Jasmine

Native to the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia, Wrightia religiosa can also be grown successfully in the southern US, It is most often seen in bonsai form. Though not related to jasmine, the flowers produce a sweet honey scent that can easily fill a room. Clusters of white flowers hang beneath the leaves of the tree and can last for weeks at a time.

Sweetly scented flowers

While the name suggests that this plant would love water, it is very easy to over-water. If you cannot keep the soil evenly moist, I recommend letting the plant dry out. My personal Wrightia goes into full wilt before I water. Full to part sun and regular fertilizing during the growing season are essential.

Vietnamese Water Jasmine trained as bonsai

Though I love this plant for its graceful structure and the fragrance, the stories that I have heard, and the little hint of mystery surrounding it, make it my favorite. Also known as Sacred Buddhist, throughout my research, I never found the reason it was given this name. Instead I was told that the name, water jasmine, came from the plant’s natural habit of growing out over water. When the plant bloomed, the flowers would reflect from the surface of the water into the sky. During my research I also found a quick note about this plant flowering when it rained. Yet another reason it is called water jasmine? I’m not entirely sure, but after all the rain we had in June, my bonsai is blooming.

Wrightia religiosa is available as a starter plant in our greenhouse

Guest blogger Jen Kostick is a Maryland Master Gardener and bonsai enthusiast. She has worked at Valley View Farms for about 5 years, in our greenhouse in the spring and our International Christmas Shop in the fall. Jen has been assisting our bonsai grower, Martha Meehan, with our monthly meetings and workshops for the last few years.