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What's going on?

There's always something interesting going on at Valley View Farms. All of our seminars and events are free unless otherwise noted, and there is no need to pre-register. Some schedule changes may occur; so please check back here or call the store closer to the posted date to confirm. We look forward to seeing you.

February

  • Bonsai Propagation

  • Saturday, February 4, 9:00 am

  • Learn about various propagation techniques for Bonsai, including how to air-layer a plant. Martha will also make an attempt at grafting and discuss the whys of winter pruning.

  • Composting Made Easy

  • Saturday, February 4, 11:00 am

  • Join our own Scott Anderson as he demonstrates several models of compact composters available to home gardeners. Learn about tumbling techniques and layering as well as what materials to compost.

  • Houseplant and Orchid Clinic

  • Saturday, February 11, 9:00 am

  • Bring in your plants and together we'll repot them and diagnose any problems they may have. We'll provide soil and other potting media for orchids, foliage plants, cacti and African Violets. Jan Gannon and Carrie Engel will also discuss pruning, propagating and watering houseplants for optimum health. One plant per participant please.

  • Build a Terrarium (Adults only)

  • Saturday, February 11, 11:00 am

  • Terrariums are wonderful and require very low maintenance if they are planted correctly and with the right plants. We will demonstrate how to build a terrarium and offer advice to those who would like to build one of their own. Bring your own glass vessel or purchase one here. Plants, soil and other “ingredients” will be available for purchase. Average cost of finished terrarium-$35.00.

  • Fragrant Plants and Moon Gardens

  • Saturday, February 18, 9:00 am

  • Scented plants will be the topic of today's seminar. Learn more about the shrubs and trees, flowers and even houseplants that add a pleasant fragrance to our surroundings. Carrie Engel will also discuss plants for a garden that reflect moonlight, adding so much to our evenings spent outdoors.

  • Terrariums for Kids

  • Saturday, February 18, 11:00 am

  • Plant an open fish bowl with miniature plants. Our staff will instruct children on how to create an open terrarium then assist the kids as they make their own. $25.00 materials fee includes glass, plants, soil and decorations.

  • Controlling Invasive Weeds

  • Saturday, February 25, 9:00 am

  • Brian Rhoten is a Certified Arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts working year round managing trees and shrubs in landscapes here in Maryland. He will be discussing exotic invasive insects like the Emerald Ash Borer and exotic invasive weeds like Wavyleaf Basketgrass. Brian will offer solutions as well as warnings on how to contain these and other invasive plants and insects finding their way into our landscapes.

  • Starting Plants from Seed

  • Saturday, February 25, 11:00 am

  • Learn how to successfully grow vegetable and annual transplants from seed. We will concentrate on starting seed indoors under lights, using peat pots and pellets and other seed starting media. Carrie Engel will lead today's discussion.
March

  • Growing Fruits and Berries

  • Saturday, March 3, 11:00 am

  • Terry Freed from Eastern Shore Nursery will teach us some techniques for growing all sorts of fruits and berries in our gardens and home orchards. Terry has a passion for edible gardening and we're thrilled to have him with us again this year.

  • The Garden in Early Spring

  • Saturday, March 10, 9:00 am

  • Pansies and daffodils welcome spring in the garden. Learn more about these garden favorites and other shrubs, perennials and even annual flowers that will survive and thrive in early spring's fluctuating temperatures.

  • Herb Gardening

  • Saturday, March 10, 11:00 am

  • Herbs abound in flavor, and are great for cooking and grilling. Learn how to grow herbs in the garden and in containers from our own Joann Weber. Our updated Gardeners Guide to Herbs will be available free for attendees.

  • Tending the Perennial Garden

  • Saturday, March 17, 9:00 am

  • Perennials benefit from seasonal maintenance to keep them coming back beautifully year after year. Learn proper timing for all sorts of tasks like dividing daylilies and hostas, adding organics into the garden, dead-heading various plants for continual bloom and much more. Our speaker will be our own Jan Gannon.

  • Compost and Soil Health

  • Saturday, March 17, 11:00 am

  • Create better growing conditions for all of your annuals, perennials, bulbs, trees, shrubs and lawn by learning more about the soil in which they will grow. We'll talk about the differences in various soils and mulches and explain the importance of each in maintaining a healthy landscape. Scott Anderson will be our moderator.

  • Spring Pond Opening

  • Saturday, March 24, 9:00 am

  • Revitalize the pond with tips from Valley View's Water Gardening Manager, Tim McQuaid. Tim's workshop will include advice about fish and plant care and methods to re-start pumps, filtration systems and other pond components. Tim will end the session with answers to any questions attendees may have about their water gardens.

  • Gardening 101

  • Saturday, March 24, 11:00 am

  • Today's class will focus on the gardening novice. We'll talk about things to consider when placing a garden, how to prepare the soil, mulching techniques and other gardening basics. Please have a rough drawing of your yard to refer to during our class.

  • Baltimore Bonsai Club Exhibition and Demonstrations

  • SUNDAY, March 25, 1:00 - 5:00 pm

  • Join members of the Baltimore Bonsai Club for a fascinating show profiling beautiful bonsai specimens created by club members. Learn more about this “growing” hobby and about our area's premier club. Members will host ongoing demonstrations on repotting trees, growing trees on rock and various other subjects. Bring your own tree in for a 'makeover' or walk through our nursery with a bonsai expert to choose a good tree to create a new bonsai.

  • Using Containers in the Landscape

  • Saturday, March 31, 9:00 am

  • Container gardening has exploded in popularity in recent years. Many new pottery shapes, sizes, glazes and colors are now available to add terrific elements to your landscape. We'll show you how to successfully integrated containers into your existing gardens and landscapes.

  • Vegetable Gardening from Transplants to Table

  • Saturday, March 31, 11:00 am

  • Learn the basics of growing vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, melons, squash and more. Our updated Vegetable Garden Guide will be available to all attendees. Carrie Engel will moderate today's class.
April

  • Create Your Own Bonsai Workshop

  • Saturday, April 7, 9:00 am

  • Here's your chance to prune, wire and style a bonsai plant with Martha Meehan and other Bonsai enthusiasts by your side. A Bonsai starter tree, soil, wire, pot and tools will be provided during the class. There will be a $35 fee for supplies to all participants.

  • Lawn Clinic

  • Saturday, April 7, 11:00 am

  • Join Jonathan Green's lawn expert, Rick Hardie. Whether seeding a new lawn or renovating an old one, Rick will advise participants on the right products and processes to follow for success. Please bring a soil sample to be analyzed free by our staff.

  • Water Garden Installation Clinic

  • Saturday, April 14, 9:00 am

  • Get your feet wet and learn about water gardening from Tim McQuaid, Water Garden Manager. Tim will go over each step, from placement of the garden, to filling the pond with fish and plants. Learn about pumps, liners, filters and other elements for creating a successful water garden.

  • Shade Gardening

  • Saturday, April 14, 11:00 am

  • Grow great plants in the shade! Jan Gannon from our perennial department and Scott Carbone from our nursery join forces to identify the best plants and gardening practices for a shade garden.

  • Vegetable Gardening in Containers

  • Saturday, April 21, 9:00 am

  • Let's face it; all of us don't have the room for a ½ acre vegetable garden, or even a 100 square foot garden bed. Maybe (like me) you're fighting tree roots or want to garden closer to the house on a balcony or deck. Container gardening is for you! Learn how to successfully grow ANY vegetable in a pot or planter.

  • David Culp Presents Gardening in the Shade

  • Saturday, April 21, 11:00 am

  • Perennial favorite David Culp joins us to talk about his favorite plants in the shade garden. Always engaging and inspirational, David will share his unique perspective on gardening.

  • Happy Earth Day

  • Sunday, April 22, 11:00 am

  • To keep our gardens 'greener', our staff is available to demonstrate composters and rain barrels. In addition, our garden shop will be on hand to discuss all of the earth-friendly choices in herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.

  • Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day

  • Thursday, April 26, all day

  • Stop in and say hello to our next generation of gardeners, as our children join us for work today.

  • New and Interesting Perennials for 2012

  • ** Thursday, April 26, 6:30 pm **

  • Learn about all the new introductions that our perennial department will be carrying for the 2012 season. Our own Maryland Master Gardener Patricia Sherman will show slides and provide information about this year's new plants and some tried and true varieties that gardeners may have missed.

  • Herbicides Demystified

  • Saturday, April 28, 9:00 am

  • Learn all about various herbicides including selective and non-selective types, and organic versus synthetic controls for weeds and unwanted plants. Brian Brannan, our garden shop manager will lead the discussion.
May

  • Mother's Day

  • Sunday, May 13

June

  • Insecticides and Fungicides Demystified

  • Saturday, June 2, 11:00 am

  • Learn about the various pesticides on the market used to control fungi and insects. Our Garden Shop manager Brian Brannan will discuss organic versus synthetic pesticides and provide the proper timing and application methods for optimum control of common garden pests.

  • Harvesting and Preserving Herbs

  • Saturday, June 9, 9:00 am

  • Our own Joann Weber will discuss the best practices and timing for harvesting herbs from the garden. She will discuss various methods of freezing and drying herbs as well.

  • Water Garden Installation

  • Saturday, June 16, 9:00 am

  • Get your feet wet and learn about water gardening from Tim McQuaid, our water garden manager. Tim will go over each step, from placement of the garden, to filling the pond with fish and plants. Learn about pumps, liners, filters and other elements for creating a successful water garden.

  • Monarchs and Milkweed

  • Saturday, June 16, 11:00 am

  • Learn about plants that will attract Monarchs and other butterflies to you garden. We'll also discuss their lifecycle so you'll know when to look for butterflies. Marian and Jan, members of our perennial staff, will lead today's discussion.

  • How to Water Properly

  • Saturday, June 23, 9:00 am

  • Garden success depends on proper watering techniques. It is the most critical factor in the survival of our plants. Learn why, when and how to water your plants when Mother Nature does not deliver.

  • Summer Container Gardens

  • Saturday, June 23, 11:00 am

  • We'll talk about refreshing the plants in pottery around your landscape. Consider tropicals, like hibiscus and mandevilla, or learn how to plant a red, white and blue container to celebrate the 4th of July.

  • Attracting Hummingbirds to the Garden

  • Saturday, June 30, 9:00 am

  • Hummingbirds are amazing creatures to watch from inside the home or outside in the garden. Learn how best to attract these winged-wonders using feeders and by providing them with the environment they need to thrive. Marian Andelman and Jan Gannon will discuss their own successes and provide some photo tips for capturing hummingbirds in action.

Garden clubs and groups who would like to schedule a seminar here at Valley View Farms are welcome to meet at the store during open store hours. Please contact Carrie Engel to reserve the space and time for your meeting.

Additional questions about our seminar program should be directed to Carrie Engel. She can be reached by phone at the store (410) 527-0700 or by e-mail at carrie@valleyviewfarms.com.

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