Wilsonville Spokesman Online

Spring is the perfect time to take a gardening class

Clackamas Community College offers pruning, garden design, kitchen herbs and more

• Published: 3/3/2010 10:06:32 AM

Gardening classes
Clackamas Community College hits spring with several gardening and horticulture classes.

OREGON CITY – Spring is the perfect time to take a gardening class! Clackamas Community College offers dozens of classes in gardening, greenhouse management and landscaping. The college also offers workshops and short courses to help home gardeners hone their gardening skills. Here’s a highlight of spring term short courses, workshops and events.

March 29 - April 19, Basic Pruning. This one-credit class shares methods for pruning trees, shrubs, groundcovers and vines. Class meets Mondays from 1 to 5 p.m. Fee is $87.

March 31 – June 9, Spring Food Growing. This class, taught by Horticulture Department Chairwoman Elizabeth Howley, utilizes a hands-on approach to organic methods of growing early season food plants. Class meets Wednesdays from 1 to 3:50 p.m. Cost is $30.

April 3 - April 24, Garden Design. A four-week introductory course for students to gain skills and understanding in planning a garden. The class meets Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost: $87.

April 24, Organic Soils and Compost. This free workshop covers compost and organic amendments for a thriving, nontoxic yard. Workshop is from 10 to 11:20 a.m. in Clairmont, room 117. Sponsored by OSU Extension Service, METRO and CCC. To register, call 503-234-3000 or visit www.oregonmetro.gov/garden.

May 13 – 27, Growing for Family. Discover simple systems for growing vegetables, including composting, bed preparation, planting and harvest. Meets Thursdays from 6 to 8:50 p.m. Cost $45.

May 14 - 28, Kitchen Herbs. Elizabeth Howley teaches this one-credit class that covers the use of common herbs and spices as food and craft. The class meets Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon. The fee for the class is $97.

May 22, Pesticide-Free Pest Control. The course covers effective, nontoxic techniques to tackle weeds, pests and diseases in the yard. Meets from 10 to 11:20 a.m. in Clairmont, room 117. Sponsored by OSU Extension Service, METRO and CCC. To register, call 203-234-3000 or visit www.oregonmetro.gov/garden.

June 4, Concrete Leaf Casting. Create your own unique casting using a live textured leaf. Workshop covers painting, staining and water proofing information. Workshop is from 1 to 3:50 p.m. in Clairmont, room 117. Cost: $25.

For more information about horticulture offerings at CCC, visit the department Web site at http://depts.clackamas.edu/hort. For registration information, call Loretta Mills at 503-594-3292.

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