LET’S EAT OUR LANDSCAPE
Melissa Contreras

The land that you own is a very precious thing; take full advantage of your little piece of paradise by landscaping with plants that will perform double duty for your family at the dinner table. Your landscaping plants will not only look good, they’ll taste good! Our talented gardener/instructor will guide you on how to plant and maintain an edible landscape suited for South Florida’s unique climate. Many are perennials making your work easy. Imagine going out to do a little pruning and coming in with dinner! Students will go home with a variety of easy-to-grow seeds from which they can start their own edible landscape.

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Fridays, December 4-11 (two sessions)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, December 1
Fee: Members, $40; Non-members, $55

GROWING HERBS IN SOUTH FLORIDA – LECTURE AND SALE
Carolyne Coppolo

Fairchild is pleased to welcome back Carolyne Coppolo for her 4th year to introduce students to growing herbs in South Florida. Let Mrs. Coppolo, owner of the Redland Herb Farm, share her techniques for nurturing healthy herbs in the ground, in containers and in raised beds. The lecture will cover the seven deadly sins of herb growing, medicinal and culinary uses. You will be able to share your personal harvest with no fear of wondering where your fresh herbs were grown. Potted herb plants and soils will be available FOR SALE during class.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Section A: Tuesday, December 8 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, December 4
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Section B: Wednesday, January 13 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 8
Fee per section: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

A SALAD BOWL IN YOUR GARDEN – GROWING SALAD GREENS AND VEGGIES IN CONTAINERS
Elaine Farquharson

Eager gardening students will learn all about growing salad vegetables in containers. Lettuces, mesclun mixes and Asian greens will be emphasized. Even learn the secrets to delicious sunflower sprouts and spicy nasturtiums that will top off your gourmet salad. Class will cover different types of containers such as self-watering and “raised” containers elevated to make  arvesting a breeze. Homegrown salad “fixins” will be available to taste and students will receive seeds to get their own salad bowl garden started.

6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, December 4
Fee: Members, $35; Non-members, $55

SQUARE FOOT GARDENING TECHNIQUES AND FARM TOUR
Carolyne Coppolo

Enjoy a light breakfast snack with coffee or herbal tea before you have a hands-on demonstration of the various gardening methods of “square foot” (organic patchwork) and container gardening. Get the answers to the “4 W’s” of gardening … When, Where, What and Why? Gardeners who have little space and limited time will learn how to get a bountiful harvest using the square foot technique of gardening. Lesson notes will be made available. Your hostess, Carolyne Coppolo, will also take you on a tour of the 100 year old historical Dade County pine farm house and property while answering your gardening questions. Herbs, vegetables, commercial potting soil, containers and items from the chef’s pantry will be available for purchase.

9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 9 (one session)
Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 5
Fee: Members, $35; Non-members, $45

TRADITIONAL COMPOSTING –LEARN TO COMPOST IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD
Lanette Sobel

Learn the tried and true methods of turning your food scraps and yard wastes into dark, healthy nutritious soil. Not only will you create the basis for a beautiful and healthy garden or yard, but you will do your part to combat global warming and reduce pollution of our land, air and water. Cold and hot composting methods will be covered.

6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 19 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 15
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $45

GROWING PLANTS IN CONTAINERS – LARGE AND SMALL
Alison Walker

An essential class for those homeowners with small patios and balconies who want to add color and texture by using decorative containers and plants. Learn about the joys – and challenges – of container gardening in South Florida. This class will both inspire creativity and provide practical advice on types of containers, soil and media, and plant care. Ms. Walker will demonstrate and create a mini-container garden in class that will be raffled off to a lucky registered student to take home.

6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 21 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January15
Fee: Members, $30; Non-members, $45

GRAFTING WORKSHOP AT THE FAIRCHILD FARM
Richard J. Campbell

This special hands-on grafting workshop is offered only once a year and is taught by Fairchild Tropical Fruit program’s expert “mango man”. To the novice, grafting seems like a mysterious and difficult procedure. In truth, it is a precise, straightforward technique that can be learned like any other. Once you master it, you can multiply your favorite plants or choose from the  ncredible multitudes of cultivars and species not commonly available. You’ll learn both the benefits and disadvantages of grafting. Various techniques will be demonstrated and you will be given an informative tour of the grove. Plant material will be provided for practice; students may take home their grafted material. Bring a sharp grafting knife and a bag lunch to class. Class is limited to 15 students and will take place a t The Fairchild Farm located in Homestead, map provided upon  registration.

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 30 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, January 25
Fee: Members, $75; Non-members, $130

GOOD HABITS START AT HOME –HOW TO GREEN YOUR HOME
Lanette Sobel

Don’t know where to start to “Go Green”? Good habits start at home and then you can bring those habits into your workplace. Our environmental conscious instructor will discuss some simple actions everyone can practice in their homes to lessen our footprint on the Earth. Learn how to improve living conditions for your family and even save money in the process by becoming  nvironmentally friendly! We will touch on how to save energy and water, reduce waste and our contact with harmful chemicals, and overall improve the health of ourselves, the planet and our wallets.

10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Section A: Wednesday, February 3 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 29
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Section B: Wednesday, April 7 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, April 2
Fee per section: Members $25; Non-members, $35

JAMES McANALLEN’S PRIVATE GARDEN TOUR
James McAnallen

Don’t let a small city property limit your imagination when designing your home garden. Enjoy touring this past Coral Gables Beautification Award recipient’s north Coral Gables garden. A knowledgeable plant collector and designer, he will expertly lead you through his garden while explaining his success in propagating plants, many of which are from Fairchild’s plant distribution list in the 1970s. He will share his carefully garnered secrets that will show you how to create your own tropical refuge. Map provided upon registration; limited size tour.

9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, February 6 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, January 29
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

AROIDS FROM A TO Z
Chris Migliaccio

This class includes an overview of this very diverse, largely tropical family, with an emphasis on aroids for the South Florida garden. Identification, propagation, care and landscape use will be covered. After a hands-on activity, students will leave with a small collection of aroids for their own garden.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 17 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, February 12
Fee: Members, $30; Non-members, $45

THE INSIDE “SCOOP” ON FERTILIZERS – KNOW YOUR N-P-K
Jeff Wasielewski

Questions about fertilizing abound: when should I apply fertilizer; what do I apply fertilizer to; how much should I apply; and what type of fertilizer should I apply? The answers to these questions are simple, but they vary with each horticultural situation. Let Jeff give you the “inside scoop” on all these questions and more in this informative class.

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 20 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, February 15
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

COMPOSTING WITH WORMS – MASTERING THE ART OF PRODUCING NUTRITIOUS SOIL FROM FOOD SCRAPS
Lanette Sobel

Want a healthy garden? Then you must have good soil. Learn from an environmentalist how you can use red wiggler worms to happily transform your organic waste into nutritious, black compost. If you have a backyard, balcony or just a space underneath your sink you will have the space to provide a home for your wiggly composters. Ms. Sobel will tell you of the amazing benefits of composting and its impacts on climate change, cleaner water and air. Students will go home with the knowledge and uidelines of how to create and maintain their own worm bins.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 24 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, February 19
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

A FAIRCHILD WALK AND TALK
David McLean

You will be delighted to have Mr. McLean as your teacher, lecturer and horticulturist as you walk through Fairchild’s Agave, Cycad and Lisa D. Anness Butterfly Garden areas. Learn about the plants while McLean will give design use, culture and “asides” of the plants seen during this tour. General questions will be discussed and answered … about anything encountered. Be prepared to have fun while discovering Fairchild. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, February 22
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

BETTY EBER’S ORCHID HOUSE AND GARDEN TOUR
Betty Eber

For those of you who have taken one of Betty’s orchid classes, you know that she practices what she teaches – how to grow beautiful orchids. She has brought them to class as specimens, now here is your chance to see her magnificent collection on this private tour. Limited to only 15 guests, you will see how her tried and true techniques perform in her shade house and among her trees. Light refreshments will be served. Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes. Map provided upon registration.

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday, March 5 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, February 26
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

WHAT’S BUGGING YOU IN YOUR GARDEN? THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: INSECTS IN YOUR GARDEN
Alison Walker

Want to learn about the fascinating world of insects that live in your backyard! This course will focus on the identification of the most common insects seen in your garden. Principles and practices of pest management will be discussed, with an emphasis on natural control and integrated pest management. Ms. Walker will take you on a tour of the Lisa D. Anness Butterfly Garden and ID the good, bad and the ugly. Bring questions, photographs, or plant samples (in a secured plastic bag) to be identified.

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 20 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, March 15
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

EASY ORCHIDS
Betty Eber

Join Betty in her 8th year teaching this informative class on growing orchids the easy way. Enjoy the beauty of orchids without spending hours caring for them. With our expert’s carefully garnered secrets, you’ll soon be fielding compliments. Her simple solutions and creative growing techniques can save you the agony of losing precious plants. She will demonstrate division and repotting. Students need a basic knowledge of orchids.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 25 (one session)
Registration deadline: Friday, March 19
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

SOUTH FLORIDA’S TOP NATIVES FOR LANDSCAPING
Jeff Wasielewski

This class will introduce homeowners to a wide variety of South Florida native trees and shrubs. By putting the right plant in the right location you will transform your home landscape into a native paradise that will attract birds and butterflies. Jeff will tell you where to buy native plants, give you landscape advice and present a PowerPoint of good and bad landscape situations.

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 27 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, March 22
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

PALMS FOR YOUR HOME LANDSCAPE
Chris Migliaccio

Learn how to enhance your property with the addition of these graceful plants while you increase your knowledge of palms in the home landscape. You are guaranteed an extensive collection of exquisite palms to enhance your own garden as you enjoy the hands-on experience of dividing community pots of unusual palm seedlings. Bring a large box to carry home your new  alms! A comprehensive Palm Handbook of practical information is included. Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy a palm tour of Fairchild on an early Saturday morning with your knowledgeable instructor. This educational palm class is offered only once a year!

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursdays, April 1 – 8 (two sessions)
Field Trip: Saturday, April 10, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Registration deadline: Friday, March 26
Fee: Members, $75; Non-members, $100

TOURING A SOUTH FLORIDA NATIVE BACKYARD
Jeff Wasielewski

Many of you have taken one of Jeff’s interesting horticulture classes at Fairchild, now here’s your chance to take a sneak peek at his garden/yard to see how he has incorporated his horticultural knowledge into a South Florida native landscape. As you stroll through his yard he’ll give you tips on what types of plants to grow to attract birds and butterflies. He’ll also give advice on smart placement of trees (both native and fruit) and palms. Come and enjoy a morning packed with information with one of Fairchild’s favorite instructors.

9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 10 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 5
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35

WATER GARDENS AND PONDS
Paul Radice

Have you been thinking of adding a water feature to your garden? Water adds a magical touch, providing cool relief in the tropics and adding a tranquil sound to your surroundings. With over 35 years of experience in fancy Koi ponds, Mr. Radice will lead you through the design of a water garden. Learn about water filtration and quality, algae control, appropriate fish and the best water lilies and aquatic plants for South Florida. Lecture at Fairchild and a field trip to Angels Hatchery to follow.

7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 22 (one session)
Field Trip: Saturday, May 1, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Registration deadline: Friday, April 16
Fee: Members, $30; Non-members, $45

LUSH TROPICAL GARDEN PARADISE - A PRIVATE TOUR
Tricia and Chayo Frank

Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of South Florida’s special gardens once featured on HGTV. Our homeowners, who are two talented gardeners, have created the ultimate garden out of an 8 foot deep rock pit quarry. Since 1976 this has been a work in progress and it shows the fruits of their labor with exquisite waterfalls, fish ponds, palms, ferns, heliconias and features a
magnificent exotic collection of hundreds of aroids. Come and see for yourself what one can create out of a totally empty rock pit. Space is limited, wear comfortable walking shoes.

10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday, April 30 (one session)
Registration deadline: Monday, April 26
Fee: Members, $25; Non-members, $35