Enhancing Life Through Gardening

The DeKalb Cooperative Extension is offering innovative, up-to-date gardening and landscaping training; training that is both practical and useful and is full of information that can be taken home and used right away.

All of the speakers are experts in their areas and know how to make the subjects educational as well as fun. The overall goal of this series is to provide information that will help DeKalb County homeowners save time, save money and learn the essential fundamentals of gardening that will last a lifetime; all the while improving the quality of life year after year.

Below is the schedule of workshops:

ENHANCING LIFE THROUGH GARDENING

Saturday, Feb. 26, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Pruning and Fertilizing of Ornamental Trees and Shrubs

Rick Smith

Rick, owner of The Pruning Guru, is a certified Georgia Nurseryman and a Georgia Certified Landscape Professional. He will discuss all you need to know about when, where, and how to prune and fertilize ornamental trees and shrubs within the landscape.

Thursday, March 3, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Beekeeping - How to Start Your Own Bee Hive

Phillip J. Quinn

Phillip is a certified Master Beekeeper who knows everything there is to know about bees. He will discuss the importance of bees, the basics of beekeeping, where to find materials and when and how to get started.

Saturday, March 12, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Controlling Weeds in the Landscape

Lynwood L. Blackmon II

Lynwood is our County Extension Horticulture Agent. He will provide valuable information on selecting ways to control and identify weeds within your landscape.

Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Plant Propagation from A to Z

Dr. Bodie Pennisi

Bodie is a University of Georgia Floriculture and Horticulture Specialist. She will discuss how to propagate house plants, as well as other woody and herbaceous plants. This hands-on workshop will allow participants to propagate plants and take them home to grow.

Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Things that Bug You - Controlling Bugs in and Around the Home

Dr. Dan Suiter and Lisa Ames

Dan and Lisa are University of Georgia Entomology and Structural Pest Specialists. They will provide valuable information on how to control household and structural pests (roaches, spiders, ants, millipedes, centipedes, termites, etc.). This workshop will also teach you about which chemicals will control the best.

Saturday, May 21, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Xeriscape - Planting and Maintaining Your Landscape with Less Water

Lynwood L. Blackmon II

Lynwood is our County Extension Horticulture Agent. He will provide valuable insight on teaching homeowners techniques that can help conserve water while providing an attractive and low-maintenance landscape.

Saturday, September 10, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Selecting and Maintaining the Right Lawn for the Landscape

Lynwood L. Blackmon II

Lynwood is our County Extension Horticulture Agent. He will provide valuable insight on selecting and maintaining the right type of turf-grass for your landscape, and ways of keeping the lawn weed free.

Thursday, September 22, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

The Root of the Matter-Soil Building and Composting

Lynwood L. Blackmon II

Lynwood is our County Extension Horticulture Agent. He will discuss reasons why composting is the most practical and convenient way to handle yard debris, and the essential benefits of getting the most from your compost.

Thursday, October 6, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Perennials Plants for Exceptional Shade Gardens

Paula Refi

Paula is a well-known writer, speaker, Master Gardener and designer. She will highlight new perennials that can grow well in shady areas of the landscape

Saturday, December 3, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Holiday Greenery-Creating Festive Decorations for Your Home

Wilma Coney and Sarah Brodd

Wilma is a DeKalb County Master Gardener and Sarah Brodd is our Program Coordinator.

They will demonstrate how to create your own beautiful holiday decorations by using materials within your landscape. This hands-on workshop will allow participants to design different holiday ornaments for the home.

HOME GARDENING SERIES 2011

Tuesday, February 15, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Basic Home Vegetable Gardening

Speaker: Bob Westerfield, Extension Specialist

Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Ecological Landscaping – all the steps you need for sound management and efficient use of resources

Speaker: Gary Peiffer, Extension Agent

Tuesday, April 5, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Utilizing Fruits & Vegetables in the Landscape

Designing for beauty and production

Speaker: Tara Dillard, well known designer, writer and speaker

Tuesday, May 17, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Water Conservation in the Yard & Garden

Successful, productive gardens while conserving water

Speaker: Averil Bonsall, Master Gardener Coordinator

Tuesday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Sustainable Gardening Using Low Pesticides

Speakers: Averil Bonsall & Gary Peiffer

Tuesday, Sep. 20, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Home Fruit Gardening – What to grow and how to grow it

Speaker: Bob Westerfield, Extension Fruit Specialist

Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Planting and Growing Native Trees

Speaker: Gary Peiffer, forester and arborist

Thursday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Bulbs to Know & Grow

Speaker: TBA

For registration and additional information, please contact the DeKalb Extension Office at 404-298-4080 or uge1089@uga.edu.