Winter classes

It doesn't matter how many years I've been gardening, I always look at the classes, lectures and workshops that are being offered locally at the UW-Madison Arboretum, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Allen Centennial Gardens and through organizations like the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society. Some things are for members only while others are open to the public. 

Last year, I signed up for some lectures at Olbrich and I was hoping they would offer a reprise of my favorite — which it turns out they are doing. "Year in Reviews: Olbrich's Horticultural Highlights of 2018" is being offered by Erin Presley, one of their staff horticulturalists. Erin created one of my favorite sculptures in Olbrich's herb garden last summer, so I am very excited to hear her take on the gardening year. What is so much fun about this topic is that it is a "grab bag" with highs, lows, inspiration from here and there. It is one person's response to the garden and the year and I'm really looking forward to it. 

Olbrich is offering three different programs on dealing with increased rainfall and ways to protect your house and garden through planting and design. There are also a number of food-related and cooking classes, including a few by Huma Siddiqui whose cookbook I own. She is a great presenter. I helped her on a number of occasions when she was teaching at Orange Tree Imports where I worked at the time. Some offerings are geared to children and families while others are for knowledgeable and beginning gardeners, so be sure to check out all the options. 

I don't have personal experience with the offerings through Allen Centennial Gardens but the line-up looks great. I've been a member of WHPS for years and their programs for members are always rewarding. The real benefit of becoming a member of any of these groups is that you get to meet lots of other gardeners, share problems and insights. 

Comments

[Peter/Outlaw]

Sounds like some great class offerings! Looking forward to hearing which ones you attend.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I wish there were classes like this around here. I would also take part in them. Have fun.

[Kris P]

You're lucky to have such great courses available to you, Linda. The Huntington and the LA Arboretum offer some good courses here but traveling through the downtown corridor to get to either venue puts me off. This past year my local botanic garden offered one series on sustainable gardening I enjoyed and I'm hoping there will be more in the same vein this year but there's no word as yet.

[Linda Brazill]

For a community our size in a cold climate, we do have a lot of garden organizations and options.

[ceci]

These all sound wonderful; you all are indeed fortunate to have so many options. I would be tempted by the classes at Olbrich, with which I feel vicariously familiar from reading about your visits there.

ceci