Class offerings under the Desert Botanical Garden Mastership Program are labeled as follows:
(DGM-C) Desert Gardening Mastership Core
(DGM-E) Desert Gardening Mastership Elective
‘Herban’ Wildlife
Add a new dimension to your herb gardening experience by attracting fluttering butterflies, hovering hummingbirds, bumbling bees and more. Learn ways to incorporate enticing herbal plants that lure fascinating creatures into your garden. Instructed by Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Monday / January 11 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for January 11 class.
Rainwater Harvesting: Getting Started
Water conservation is of immense concern in our arid desert climate. Consider capturing precious rainwater that would otherwise fall on impervious surfaces such as roofs, sidewalks, patios or driveways. Learn the many benefits of rainwater harvesting and how easy this can be done around your home. You will learn about the many design options for your situation, the resources available to homeowners, and what steps to take in order to create an effective, efficient system that will continue to conserve both water and money for years to come. Instructed by Paul Holdeman. Limit 30.
Tuesday / January 12 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for January 12 class.
Desert Landscape Shrubs (DGM-E)
Join the Garden’s curator of shrubs to experience the world of desert adapted plants. Learn to use shrubs to provide a critical framework for a landscape. In addition to introducing you to an array of medium sized plants suitable for our desert environment, this three-part workshop will provide the tools you will need for the selection, placement and proper maintenance of the ideal shrubs for your garden. The first two sessions are held in the classroom, and the final session is a walking tour of the Garden to admire mature specimens in a landscape setting. Instructed by Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Wednesdays and Saturday / January 13, 20 and 23
Wednesdays / 6 - 9 p.m. and Saturday / 8 - 10 a.m.
Member: $60 / General Public: $72
Click here to register on-line for January 13 class.
Beginning Bonsai
If you cannot fit any more of the desert trees you love in your garden, try your hand at creating miniature bonsai. This hands-on workshop will provide you with everything you need: succulent plant, bonsai pot and soil. Under the gentle guidance of your instructor and your imagination, you will learn how to turn a plant into a living piece of art. Three classes will cover the basics of bonsai, including plant and pot selection, shaping, wiring, watering and fertilizing. Instructed by Phoenix Bonsai Society members. Limit 15.
Thursdays / January 14, 21, 28 / 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Member: $85 / General Public: $105
Click here to register on-line for January 14 class.
Desert Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, the Phoenix area is a fantastic place to try your hand at veggie gardening–if you know what, where and, most important, when to plant. Join us for this light, fun and informative presentation on growing great vegetables here in the Valley of the Sun. Get a head start by learning about soil preparation, timing, how and when to water, and what varieties will serve you well in your desert garden. Instructed by Mary Irish. Limit 30.
Tuesday / January 19 / 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Member: $32 / General Public: $40
Click here to register on-line for January 19 class.
Drip Irrigation Design and Installation (DGM-E)
Homeowners will learn how to design a drip irrigation system that will be efficient and able to handle your landscape as it grows into maturity. Proper zoning for plant materials, soils and microclimates will be covered, as well as concepts of hydraulics to ensure systems will function properly not only at start-up but over time. The installation portion covers the point of connection out to the end caps. Learn tips to help avoid many of the common mistakes associated with drip system design and installation. Hands-on activities include connecting poly tubing with a compression coupler, as well as three styles of emitter installation and when and why each should be used. Instructed by Jeff Lee. Limit 25.
Saturday / January 23 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for January 23 class.
Caring for Your Desert Garden (DGM-C)
My irrigation system runs every day, why aren’t my plants healthy? Why is my cactus getting sunburned? How often should I fertilize and shear my shrubs? This class will shed light on misconceptions and malpractices commonly associated with desert gardening. Learn how to select the right plants and correctly plant them in your landscape. Proper techniques for watering, fertilizing, pruning and other maintenance will be addressed. Instructed by Garden
curator Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Wednesdays / January 27 and February 3 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $60 / General Public: $75
Click here to register on-line for January 27 class.
Pond Maintenance
With spring just around the corner, it is time to think about getting your pond ready. This workshop covers general spring cleaning, plant thinning and division, and returning your fish safely from winter dormancy. You then will be able to go home, spruce up your pond for spring, and sit back and enjoy it. Instructed by Paul Holderman. Limit 25.
Sunday / February 7 / 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 7 class.
Vegetable Gardening – A Comprehensive Approach
Take advantage of this timely workshop to get your garden growing in our unique desert environment. You will learn the importance and details of soil preparation and how to overcome the challenges of our environment. Proper planting seasons and strategies, as well as resources for purchasing seeds will be covered in this informative workshop. Great take-home materials and complimentary seed packets are included to give your own vegetable garden an added boost. Instructed by Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Monday and Wednesday / February 8 and 10 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $60 / General Public: $72
Click here to register on-line for February 8 class.
Bright Nights
With the proper plant selection, your garden can come alive in the moonlight with fragrance, reflective foliage and blooms, and the interesting creatures they attract. Learn how to enrich your garden with magnificent night-bloomers that unfurl their hidden beauty as the sky darkens into night, along with other plants that light the way. Instructed by Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Thursday / February 11 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 11 class.
Sustainable Landscape Design (DGM-C)
Feeling overwhelmed about how to renovate your garden so it is both lovely and sustainable? This introductory class will explain the basics of designing in harmony with natural desert systems to create a beautiful landscape that is also water and energy efficient. Find out how to assess your property and draw a conceptual map that will guide current and future garden decisions. Simple design techniques will be introduced. This program is for homeowners with either existing or new landscapes. Instructed by Jack Gilcrest. Limit 25.
Wednesday / February 17 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 17 class.
Maximize your Irrigation System
A properly designed and installed irrigation system is essential to maximize efficiency and use the least amount of water possible to keep your plants healthy. Most of us use whatever the builder or previous owner installed, and that often means a system that performs poorly and uses too much water. Learn how to identify and correct the performance-robbing problems in your irrigation system. The good news is that ripping out the old system and starting over is rarely needed. Instructed by Jeff Lee. Limit 25.
Saturday / February 20 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 20 class.
Groundcovers and Vines for the Desert Landscape (DGM-E)
An assortment of interesting groundcovers and vines can add great beauty to your garden. The benefits don’t stop there! These plants can also keep your indoor and outdoor living spaces cooler during the summer months. Learn the best choices for your desert landscape and how you can make these plants work for you. Instructed by Kirti Mathura. Limit 25.
Wednesday / February 24 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 24 class.
Watering and Controller Programming (DGM-E)
Take an active role in the health of your landscape by learning correct watering techniques and how to properly control your home irrigation system. The ins and outs of irrigation controller programming will be demonstrated through hands-on exercises with controller models in the classroom. Learn when and how much to water, and how proper watering not only benefits your landscape, but actually conserves water and lowers your utility bill. Instructed by Jeff Lee. Limit 25.
Saturday / February 27 / 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 27 class.
Discover Desert Permaculture
Not just another trendy word like green, permaculture is both a way of thinking and a system of organizing ecological and ethical design. It teaches us to contemplate nature and natural systems and apply what we learn to our own living environments. Join the Desert Botanical Garden as we embark on this new way of teaching both old and new techniques for a sustainable outdoor environment.
Introduction to Desert Permaculture
Join master gardener Doreen Pollack, owner of Down 2 Earth Gardens and Phoenix Permaculture Guild board member, as she demystifies this new term for an ancient concept. This introductory session will explore the keys to creating ecological systems that do not require constant human intervention and teach you how to observe and detect the elements in nature that support sustainable gardens, landscapes, towns and communities. Come learn how to replicate nature and reduce the use of resources, time and money, while lessening your impact on the environment. Limit 30.
Tuesday / November 17 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register online for November 17 class.
Vermiculture Workshop and Starter Kit
Learn how to turn your food scraps into precious black gold. The resulting worm castings, or tea, can be used on house or garden plants as a nutrient rich organic fertilizer. One pound of composting worms can handle about one half pound of food waste per day, or the average generated by a family of three or four. Learn to make and set up your own worm bin in class or come with a pre-purchased one. We will send you all you need to know beforehand and throw in one pound of worms to get you started. Instructed by Brandi Eide. Limit 20.
Tuesday / January 26 / 6 - 9 p.m.
Member: $50 / General Public: $60
Click here to register on-line for January 26 class.
Measuring Landscape Sustainability
Everyone is talking about sustainability. Find out what the term sustainability means and how can it be applied to your landscape. In this workshop you will learn about various design solutions, techniques and products for creating a sustainable landscape appropriate for the Sonoran Desert. A quiz will help you measure the sustainability level of your existing landscape, based on characteristics such as climate/microclimate, comfort, food production, maintenance, plants, soil/mulch, waste, water and wildlife. Suggestions will be provided for modifying your landscape to improve sustainability. Instructed by Jack Gilcrest. Limit 25.
Tuesday / February 9 / 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Member: $30 / General Public: $38
Click here to register on-line for February 9 class.
Desert Gardening Mastership
The Desert Gardening Mastership at the Garden is designed for those interested in plants and will teach about their selection and care, as well as their ecological and cultural significance. Desert Gardening Mastership classes are open to all regardless of intent to complete the program and can be found in the program listings of Gardening and Landscaping.
Classes and Guidelines
Core classes will get you started in your garden and are marked in the calendar with a DGM-C They are introductory in nature and will help you build a solid foundation in whatever type of gardening endeavor you pursue. Elective classes are marked with a DGM-E in the calendar. Students will be awarded a Desert Gardening Mastership upon completion of 12 classes; four core classes and eight elective classes (five in one elective track and three from any other track.)
For a complete list of classes and elective tracks or a Desert Gardening Mastership Information Packet, log on to dbg.org/adultclasses or call 480-481-8146.
