San Diego Botanic Garden Offers Exceptional Classes for Fall
-Butterfly Gardening, Photography, Hydroponic Gardening and more-
ENCINITAS, CA- September 28, 2010- San Diego Botanic Garden is pleased to announce its upcoming classes for the fall of 2010. Advanced registration and payment are required for all classes. To pre-register go to www.SDBGarden.orgor call 760/ 436–3036 x206.
Build Your Own Hydroponic Fall Garden
Saturday, October 23, 9 am – 12 noon
Learn the principles of the hydroponic wick method—a fun and easy sustainable gardening technique. You will build your own sustainable garden to take home, filled with fall veggies. Fee includes all materials.
Cost: Members $70, non-members $90
Pre-registration required by October 20.
Plant Life on Avatar’s Pandora
Sunday, October 31, 2 – 3:30 pm
As botanical consultant for the movie Avatar, Dr. Jodie Holt had a unique opportunity to bridge knowledge from science to the public. Her talk will be slanted towards the botanical content and plant life of the movie, as well as details of her movie-making experience.
Cost: Members $10, non-members $12.
Pre-registration required by October 27.
Butterfly Gardening for San Diego County
Thursday, November 4, 6 – 9 pm
Butterflies and moths in Southern California are adapted to our unique climatic conditions. In this interactive class we will review the biology and behavior of butterflies and moths attracted to gardens. With this information you can select and place plants to attract adults and support the larvae, provide the necessary habitat for pupation, and protect them from predators. Butterflies make a great addition to your garden. Fall is the best time to plant your butterfly garden. Some starter plants will be provided. Paul Tuskes is known nationally for his study of butterflies and moths.
Cost: Member $25, non-member $30.
Pre-registration required by November 1.
Recycled Folk Art Workshop
Saturday, November 6, 9:30 – 11:30 am
Create art with recycled materials under the guidance of Rodney “Rodrigo” McCoubrey who has his recycled art permanently on display in the Encinitas Library. Each parent and child team will decorate one piece of art that will be put on temporary display in the Garden, after which the piece can be taken home. Teams should bring enough trash to decorate a flower (see picture) such as bottle caps, straws, old toys, etc. Rodney has worked with many kids and parents to create public art made of recycled material.
Cost per team: Members $20, non-members $30
Pre-registration required by October 30.
Free Composting Workshop
Saturday, November 6, 10 am – 12 noon
Learn how to compost your food scraps and yard trimmings. Workshop also covers vermicomposting (worms). Compost bins and worm bins for sale afterward. Taught by Solana Center Master Composters. Meet at the Compost Demonstration Site by the Seeds of Wonder Garden.
To register call 760/ 436–7986 or visit http://www.solanacenter.org/.
Native Plants for your Garden
Saturday, November 13, 10 am – 12 noon
Mike Evans, co-owner and founder of Tree of Life Nursery, will discuss the art of growing native plants. He will talk about general principles including planting times (November is a great time to plant natives) and discuss specific plants suitable for your garden. A plant sale will follow.
Cost: Members $10, non-members $12.
Pre-registration required by November 9.
Go Green for Your Holiday Cards
Saturday, November 13, 1 – 3 pm
Design your own “green” holiday cards, or create a finished piece of art, using natural materials from the Garden. Learn to use plant pigments to create forms and colors. Open to adults, or adult with child. Adult/child teams pay as one. Fee includes materials.
Cost: Members $40, non-members $50.
Pre-registration required by November 10.
Plein Air Painting
Sunday, November 14, 9:30 am – 4 pm
Enjoy a day in the garden plein air painting with pastels under the guidance of artist Helen Shafer Garcia. Learn how to simplify and organize the garden elements with soft and hard pastels on paper while gaining new pastel techniques. Pastels are an exciting and immediate medium, which incorporates both drawing and painting. Learn ways to create sense of depth in landscape and garden setting painting, focusing on value structure and strong color. All skill levels welcome. Materials list supplied upon registration.
Cost: Members $65, non-members $75.
Pre-registration required by November 10.
Fearless Food Photography Workshop
Saturday, November 20, 8:30 am – 2 pm
Come for a morning of food, follies, and photography that will inspire and delight the senses. Acclaimed home and garden photographer Bob Bretell will show you how to light and style entrees, pastries, beverages and desserts and will demonstrate how to use props to create mood and ambiance. Learn how to post photos on Facebook and food blogs that will make your recipes stand out. All you need is a camera, a few simple props and you could be the next “Iron Chef of Photography”! We will end with a slide show and prizes for the winning photos. This is a fun class and has been designed for all levels.
Cost: Members $75, non-members $85.
Pre-registration required by November 17.
Introduction to Knotting
Saturday, November 20, 10 am – 3 pm
This versatile art form will be taught by fiber artist Carol E Lang. The age-old technique of knotting can produce 2 dimensional tapestries or 3 dimensional baskets and coiled sculptural pieces. The class will explore the sculptural form using simple knots. The only tools needed are your hands, and a pair of scissors. This class is for all levels. Bring a lunch if you wish. To learn more, call Carol at 760/ 431-1645 or email her at caldesigns@roadrunner.com. Fee includes materials.
Cost: Members $50, non-members $55.
Pre-registration required by November 17.
Yellow Roads: in Search of Hechtia argentea
Sunday, November 21, 10 am – 12 noon
Join Robert Kopfstein and Andy Siekkinen as they share details of their amazing, and sometimes harrowing, 4000-mile adventure through 13 states in Mexico in search of Hechtia argentea. This rare bromeliad was discovered in 1860 in a canyon north of Mexico City. The plant ended up in the Kew Gardens collection, winning Best in Show in Brussels at the Plant Exposition in 1864. The purpose of the trip was to rediscover this iconic species and to study genetic diversity within its population. There appears to be much variation in this species, causing confusion among collectors (some have even discarded plants not thought to be the actual species). Yellow roads, refer to the secondary roads on maps of Mexico.
Cost: Members $10, non-members $12.
Pre-registration required by November 17.
Thanksgiving Table Decor
Sunday, November 21, 2 – 4 pm
Have you always yearned to have a holiday table setting that rivals Martha Stewart? At this hands-on workshop taught by floral designer extraordinaire David Root, you will create unique floral napkin rings, votive candle holders, and the crowning glory of your table—the floral centerpiece, all to take home. Bring your floral design tools: knife, clippers, scissors, wire cutters, and hot glue gun. Fee includes materials. Note: 50% of profit goes to the Garden.
Cost: Members $55, non-members $60.
Pre-registration required by November 17.
Cooking Classes with the Opera Singing Chef
Mystic Mushrooms
Saturday, October 30, 1:30 – 4:00 pm
A vegetarian feast that is perfect for All Hallow’s Eve. Learn how to prepare Polenta and Mushroom Gratin, Rigatoni and Portobello Mushroom Sauce, and Drunken Mushrooms, plus a few tips on mushrooms and why they’re so good for you.
A Pumpkin Feast
Saturday, November 6, 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Learn how to prepare Baked Pumpkins Stuffed with Sausage and Sage; Spicy Pumpkin Seed Brittle; and Creamy Pumpkin Flan, seasoned with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baked to perfection.
Kitchen Gifts
Saturday, December 4, 1:30 – 4:00 pm
Spice up your holiday gift-giving with these unique kitchen offerings. Chef Elizabeth will share recipes for her own culinary blends: Graham Marcela, Herbes du San Diego, and a wonderful Southwest Spice Mix. Three dishes will be offered for sample, which employ the spice and herb mixtures. Plus learn how to make Limoncello, a sweet, tangy Italian liquor perfect for the holidays and Old Cottage Tea Scones with cranberries and jam.
Recipes and tastings will be offered for each cooking class.
Cost per class: Members $25, non-members $30.
Pre-registration required.
