Master Gardeners offer extreme makeovers

3:21 p.m., Sept. 1, 2004--Is your yard full of weeds, overgrown shrubs or sickly looking saplings? Or devoid of anything except the lone Bradford pear tree that the builder put in? Maybe it’s time to take drastic action and do a garden makeover.

New Castle County Master Gardeners are offering an “X-treme Garden Makeover” workshop this fall to help you revitalize your home landscape. It’s just one of 13 different workshops that are sure to pique the interest of beginner and veteran gardeners alike.

Both day and evening Master Gardener classes are available, at three locations, including downtown Wilmington. Master Gardeners are Cooperative Extension volunteer educators in home horticulture and environmental science for the University of Delaware.

All evening classes will meet from 7-9 p.m., and daytime classes from 10 a.m.-noon, unless otherwise noted. Cost of each workshop is $15, except for “Design Your Own Landscape,” which is a $55 three-part class, and “Holiday Wreath Making,” which is $30 and includes supplies.

Class locations are the Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory located behind Townsend Hall; the New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office, 910 South Chapel St, Newark; and the Urban Environmental Center on 15th & Walnut streets in Wilmington.

Evening workshops

“Crepe Myrtles”
Wednesday, Sept. 8, Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory
Learn how to grow one of the longest blooming summer shrubs. The plant’s history, varieties and flowers also will be discussed.

“Design Your Dream Landscape”
Mondays, Sept. 13, 20, and Oct. 4, Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory
Create your own landscape plan for a professional looking yard and garden.

“Shade Gardening”
Wednesday, Sept. 22, Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory
Discover flowers, shrubs and trees that will thrive in the shade.

“Ground Covers: Nature’s Area Rugs”
Monday, Sept. 27, Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory
Tired of fighting tree roots, wet spots and other problem areas of your lawn? Learn about low maintenance ground covers suitable to Delaware growing conditions.

“Magical Migrating Monarchs”
Tuesdsay, Sept. 28, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office
In this workshop, which coincides with the fall migration, you’ll learn more about the amazing lives of monarchs. You’ll also find out what you, as a home gardener, can do to protect them.

“Putting Your Garden to Bed”
Thursday, Sept. 30, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office
Learn how to get your flower, vegetable or water garden ready for winter.

“For the Birds”
Monday, Sept. 13, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office
Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs that attract birds. Choose the correct plants for your site and learn about birds’ needs during the fall and winter months.

“Puzzled by Pruning?”
Thursday, Oct. 14, Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory
This class will demystify when to prune, what equipment to use and which techniques are most effective.

“X-treme Garden Makeover”
Thursday, Oct. 28, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office
Ready to change your landscape? Come prepared to share your problems and learn about possible solutions, from a partial to an “X-treme” landscape makeover.

Daytime workshops

“Gardening in Small Spaces”
Saturday, Oct. 9, Urban Environmental Center
Thursday, Oct. 21, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office
An ideal workshop for residents of townhomes and others with small lots.

“For the Birds”
Saturday, Oct. 16, Urban Environmental Center
Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs that attract birds. Choose the correct plants for your site and learn about birds’ needs during the fall and winter months.

“Brown Gold for Your Garden”
Monday, Nov. 1, New Castle County Cooperative Extension Office
Find out how to recycle yard waste and kitchen scraps into compost.

“Holiday Wreath Making” ($30, supplies included)
Saturday, Dec. 4, Fischer Greenhouse Laboratory, 9:30-11:30 a.m. or noon-2 p.m.
Use fresh greens and simple techniques to create a professional-looking wreath.

For general information about the workshops, call 302-831-COOP (2667), or visit [http://ag.udel.edu/ncc].

Article by Margo McDonough

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