Cole Gardens is proud to present a series of learning opportunities. The series will take place at our greenhouse on Saturdays, at 10 am. Each Saturday is designed to offer knowledge and know-how in areas pertaining to nature. The topics are endless. The series of talks are free to you. We ask that you make a donation, with 100% of your donation, matched by Cole Gardens will be given to the University of New Hampshire Extension program.
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Space is limited. Arrive 10 minutes prior to the talk to sign in at the register.
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How to register
- Select your seminar
- Click to register
- Chose how many will attend
- Chose to donate to UNH Extension
- Continue to cart
- Proceed to checkout
- Complete form
- You will receive a confirmation
Schedule:
Seed Starting and Propagation Completed
February 4th – Seed Starting with Sarah Marcoux, UNH Extension Master Gardener
Approximate time: 60-90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience: Adults of all ages
During this workshop, attendees will learn the benefits and best practices for starting plants from seeds and cuttings. Attendees will learn about how to get started, successful germination requirements, different growing methods and mediums, light and temperature requirements, overcoming common problems, hardening off seedlings for transplanting into the garden, and best practices to ensure seedlings successfully grow into healthy mature plants.
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Designing Winter Landscapes to Attract & Benefit Wildlife Completed
February 11th – Designing Winter Landscapes to Attract & Benefit Wildlife with Dr Matthew Tarr, Extension Professor & State Specialist, Wildlife Habitat
Approximate time: 75-90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience; Adults of all ages
This presentation will provide practical methods for designing ecologically complete landscapes that attract and benefit a variety of wildlife during the cold months of the year.
Seed Saving
March 11th – Seed Saving with Donna Lussier, UNH Extension Master Gardener
Approximate time: 90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience: Adults of all ages
During this presentation attendees will learn why saving seeds is important, what kinds of seeds to save and when to harvest them, the different methods for processing seeds and preparing them for storage, and several tips and tricks to ensure successful germination.
Go Native! Incorporating Native Plants into Your Landscapes
March 18th – Go Native with Sheila Steele, UNH Extension Master Gardener – Approximate time: 60 minutes, including Q and A
Audience: Adults
Learn what native plants are and why they are important to add to your landscapes. Photos of native plants appropriate for various growing conditions will be shown as well as photos of native garden examples. Attendees will learn where to buy natives and how to use them successfully in their new and existing gardens. Ideas for creating a container native garden will be discussed. The instructor hopes to inspire the attendees to make small changes in their gardens with native plants.
Growing a Pollinator Garden
March 25th – Growing a Pollinator Garden with Donna Miller and Lisa Cartier, UNH Extension Master Gardeners
Approximate time: 60-90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience: Adults of all ages, high school age, or youth groups (such as 4H, Scouts, science clubs)
Insects such as bees and butterflies are helpful, and in some cases, essential, in pollinating many of our food crops such as apples, berries, and vegetables. In recent years, there has been a significant decline in the populations of these wild pollinators. Planting patches of flowers, wildflowers, grasses, shrubs, and flowering trees with an emphasis on the use of native plants can encourage and support natural pollinators as well as enhance backyard landscapes. Recommendations will be presented on creating a pollinator habitat in your yard.
Vegetable Gardening
April 1st Vegetable Gardening with Sarah Marcoux, UNH Extension Master Gardener
Approximate time: 75-90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience: Adults of all ages
During this workshop, attendees will learn principles and practices for successful vegetable gardening. Attendees will learn how to plan a garden to produce lots of high-quality vegetables, how to expend less energy on maintenance of the garden and how to use fewer chemical inputs. In addition, attendees will learn how to choose the ideal location, how to prepare the garden site, what and how much to grow, the timing of planting, as well as harvesting and storage of the vegetables.
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Success with Succulents and Cool Tropical House Plants
April 8th
Herb Gardening – Date Change
April 22nd – Herb Gardening with Sarah Marcoux, UNH Extension Master Gardener Approximate time: 60-90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience: Adults of all ages
This presentation is for those at any level of gardening who are interested in incorporating herbs into a new or established space or in containers. Attendees will learn about the propagation and growing habits of readily available herbs, as well as some which are harder to find. An overview of environmental conditions necessary to grow herbs will also be addressed. The use of culinary herbs is included in the presentation; the medicinal usage of herbs will not be addressed.
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Invasive Plants
May 6th – Invasive plants with Ruth Axelrod, UNH Extension Master Gardener
Approximate time: 60-90 minutes, including Q & A
Audience: Adults of all ages
Attendees will learn the official definition of invasive species and what differentiates an invasive from a native species. The concerns surrounding invasive plants and the ecological characteristics common to invasive plants will be discussed. To assist attendees that have invasive plant issues, a number of practical control strategies will be presented, including helpful resources.