Classes this Fall

Urban Oasis is thrilled to announce the addition of classes this fall. Here is the list of classes, the dates will be set late June.

Winter veggies, and extending the season.

There is something incredibly satisfying about pulling a delicious carrot out of January's mucky soil, or cutting fresh Brussels sprouts when the snow is on the ground.
As is the case with summer vegetables, fresh from-the-garden produce simply tastes better than its supermarket counterpart. Because it is harvested closer to the time it is consumed, it is higher in vitamins
There are winters like leeks, and kales vegetables that benefit from frost and cold to gain best flavor. Many winter vegetables are poor shippers, and a walk down the supermarket isle will answer the question why grow a winter veggie garden.
Hot beds have been used for many years to bring on delicate plants in cold weather. They where most commonly used by Victorian gardeners to force crops like Melons, Cucumbers, Strawberries, and Radishes. In fact any crop that was needed in the kitchen by the cook out of season could be grown in a Hotbed.
There are techniques known to gardeners years ago, which have been lost to us modern, 'advanced' gardeners, and by using these techniques we can grow vegetables year round in our climate.
We will explore winter veggies, and the use of manure hotbeds, and cold frames to extend, or get a jump on the season. Mmmm veggies year round from your own garden.without a green house.

Trees for suburban gardens

Even though we are urged to plant more trees to off-set our carbon footprint, choosing which ones are appropriate for our own gardens can be difficult, especially for smaller gardens. In this class, Sandra will go through easy-to-grow and attractive trees that are suitable for our urban garden. Choice, and placement are key, this class aims to help you avoid costly problems down the road. Sandra can provide a fresh approach to the myriad of problems, and benefits of including trees in your landscape. A well placed tree should be a joy for years to come, increasing in its beauty and usefulness.

Pruning Basics Workshop

At a loss for what to do with an unruly shrub? A haphazard pruning job is as ugly as a bad haircut but harder to cover up. Confused about when to prune for optimum health and bloom? If so, this class is for you. This is a hands-on introduction to the basics of why, when and how to prune. Learn techniques for late winter/early spring, pruning an overgrown shrub or tangled tree.
This is a 2-part (theory on Wednesday, hands-on practicum on Saturday) Why not volunteer your yard, and have the class demonstrations, be your work party.

Promise of Spring-Bulbs!

When is a bulb not a bulb? When it’s a corm! There is more to fall planting than you might think, and Sandra knows most of it. Her experience runs the gamut from landscape planting for successive bloom, charming pots to grace the patio, or indoor forcing to get a jump on spring this winter. Get answers to your questions about indoor, forcing, bulbs in containers, or the landscape, media, fertilizers and how to find the plants you want. We’ll discuss these issues in the first hour, and then plant your choice of an indoor or outdoor container to take home.

Beginner Orchids

Bought some of those pretty grocery store orchids? At a loss for how to care for them? If you want to see them bloom again, come to Sandra’s orchid care class and learn the basics of: re potting, fertilizing, insect and infection management. If you have one, bring a candidate to class for re potting while learning more about your orchid’s genus (and specific care). Ask your questions and learn hands-on care from an orchid enthusiast and fantastic instructor.

Natural Pest Control

At a loss how to control pests in your garden naturally, with every rose comes a thorn and with every garden come leaf-sucking insects, disease-causing fungi and a gazillion weed seeds. Sorting out which is friend and which is foe and keeping them under control, without resorting to toxic and harmful chemicals is what Sandra can show you during this class. Learn how to identify pests, weeds and diseases, in your garden. Explore beneficial insects, integrated pest management, and how to assist nature to outwit the nasties. Home remedies, can be just as dangerous as the chemicals we are giving up, learn what’s safe and effective. We look at which home recipes, products, and techniques really work, to safely, and effectively manage your garden.

Living Wreaths and Chairs

Living wreaths, chairs, and other sculptural forms are an easy way to add a bit of whimsy to your garden or front door. This class will cover the basic technique to make a living work of art, using an assortment of plant options. Choose from succulents, herbs, ferns, pansies, ivy, or other plants and make your very own wreath in just one class. You will also learn how to make cedar, mixed greens, or holly wreaths for Christmas, and moss baskets .

Horticultural Myths

Make a funny face, it'll stay that way. Step on a crack, you'll break your mama's back. A pinch of salt over your shoulder brings good luck. Such are the countless myths in our society, and the horticulture field is not exempt from them. Although numerous scientific studies refute many commonly held horticulture practices and beliefs, they still prevail with widespread acceptance. As a horticulturist for 20 years, I've heard many tall tales. I have held many of these beliefs as truths myself for many years. Rocks in pots for drainage, amending plant holes, and on it goes. Let's discuss some of the most common, and take advantage of the current science and research.

Gardening with Wildlife

It’s hard not to appreciate the fawns in the spring, but how do we deter unwanted deer, and animal pests? How do we attract butterflies, and deal with caterpillar damage. We all love the hummingbirds, but what about the bees? Most people know ladybugs are our friends, but would rather the slugs, earwigs, and other creepy crawlies leave our precious flowers and veggies be. What about the neighbor’s cat, or dog damages. We will explore deer resistant plants and animal deterrents, integrated pest management, how to encourage wildlife, and keep our petunias intact.

Compost class

Worms know the value of good compost! Your plants are not reaching their full potential if they're not getting their full complement of nutrients. Using compost is the best way to provide your plants with a ready storehouse of nutrients to draw from
Join "Sandra Nelson" as she leads you through the art and the science of successful composting. Sandra will also look at additional ways of building up your soil fertility, such as cover crops, and mulching. Discover which method of recycling home and garden waste suits your situation best. If you've tried composting and failed; or want to look at different ways of decreasing your waste load to landfill, this is the class for you

Carnivorous plants

Cultivating Captive Carnivores,the ultimate revenge against insect pests is for them to be eaten by a plant! Learn how to create a suitable (and beautiful) habitat for growing cobra lilies sundews, Venus flytraps, Sarracenias (hardy pitchers) and other intriguing insectivorous plants. Take home knowledge of the essentials for cultivating these creepies in your garden or windowsill.