It has been one of the coldest winters on record in Queens, and even though there’s snow on the ground, budding horticulturists and lovers of gardening are planning for spring.
To assist with the planning and the ultimate enjoyment of planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and vegetables, the Queens Botanical Garden is pleased to offer its Natural Gardening series — workshops that bring the home gardener through the full cycle of the four seasons. Starting with planning your garden and ending with putting it to sleep, learn how to partner with nature and ultimately enjoy a more rewarding gardening experience.
The series kicks off Saturday at noon with “Creating a Sensible Landscape,” presented by Fred Gerber, QBG’s director of education, emeritus. Discover the secrets that enable a trouble-free landscape such as choosing the right plants and the proper cultural practices that keep them healthy. This is an especially great opportunity for those who are new to the world of gardening and need basic guidance. It’s also great for those who have been frustrated with their garden and are ready to embrace the natural approach.
On Sunday, Feb. 22, join Cynthia Reed for one of the most important workshops in this series, “Soil: the Foundation of Life” at 1 p.m. Soil is the foundation from which all plant life springs and our health, as consumers of those plants, is affected as well. Plants get their water and nutrients through the soil and Mother Nature has created a magnificent universe of organisms that play a vital role in this process. If we nurture the soil, our plants thrive. Improper applications of chemical fertilizers can weaken plants. Pesticides and fungicides destroy the very life of the soil, rendering it useless as a foundation.
Learn what is going on in this mini-universe, how it affects every one of us and how to improve the soil in your garden for optimal plant health.
The Natural Gardening series continues through the spring with “Late Winter Pruning,” “Preparing Your Garden for Spring Planting,” “Natural Lawn Care,” “Backyard Composting,” “Indoor Seed Propagation,” “Outdoor Plant Propagation” and “Natural Pest Management.” Call the garden for a copy of the spring newsletter available March 1 for workshop dates and times.
All workshops in the Natural Gardening Series are $10, $5 for members. Attend three paid workshops and get the fourth one free. No pre-registration required.
