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Adult & Youth Educational Classes & Programs
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Gardens of the Fox Cities is part of the Community Learning Connections (CLC). The goal of the CLC is to increase awareness of area informal educational venues, encourage visits to them and promote their benefits throughout the community.
Discovering Fox Cities FUN brochure, list of venues in the Fox Cities area.
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Gardens of the Fox Cities' school tours and youth summer gardening programs are also part of an expanded focus on providing opportunities for youth and families to learn about plants and gardening, explore the wonders of nature and to be active outdoors.
Gardens of the Fox Cities offers: Marvin's Garden for Grades K-2 (six-week program), Marvin's Explorers for Grades 3-6 (six-week program), GFC week-long Summer Camps for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-6. Click here for complete descriptions and registration form. For on-line registration click here.
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Organic Lawn Care
February 8, 6-8 p.m.
Todd Rockweit, Backyard Organics
Meet Todd inside the building for a presentation and Q&A session about organic lawn care. Presentation will include the process of brewing and benefits of using compost tea. Members $6; Regular Price $10
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Winter Walk and Nature Crafts
Saturday, February 11, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Hannah Schraufnagel, GFC Education Coordinator
Meet Hannah inside the building to prepare for a guided winter walk around the Gardens. Enjoy hot cocoa and make track molds and winter tree bark rubbings. Bring your sled and dress warm to go outside on the Appleton Memorial Park sledding hill at the end of the class. Member Family Price $6; Regular Family Price $10
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Pruning Your Garden
Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lucy Valitchka, Master Gardener Volunteer
Bring your own hand bypass-type pruner, and/or lopper, to this winter garden maintenance workshop. This is an opportunity for beginners to learn about pruning technique and maintaining equipment in a lecture and Q&A setting. Try out techniques with hands-on practice outdoors. Members $4; Regular Price $8
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Make Your Own Worm Bin
Wednesday, March 14, 6-7 p.m.
Jeanne Powley, Volunteer
Come make your own worm composting bin to recycle kitchen scraps. The worm bins are simple to make and easy to maintain - easiest pets ever. You provide the container – box is better than a bucket – opaque plastic with lid approximately 16" x 20" x 12" deep such as Rubbermaid tub or similar. You receive everything else including worms to make and maintain your worm "farm". If you have a power handheld drill, bring it to share. Register by Monday, February 27. Members $18; Regular Price $22
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Backyard Birds
Saturday, March 24, 10-11:30 a.m.
Janet Mohr, Author and Hannah Schraufnagel GFC Education Coordinator
Meet inside the building to learn about backyard bird-watching and receive your very own copy of Janet's book Backyard Bird Book for Kids. Prepare for a guided bird hike around the Gardens and forest by practicing proper use of binoculars. We have eight Eagle Optics binoculars to lend on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please indicate when you register if you will bring your own pair of binoculars. Members $4; Regular Price $8
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Fundamentals of Vegetable Gardening: What You Need to Know to Grow a Healthy
Garden
Wednesday, March 28, 6-7:30 p.m.
Bill Wright, Brown County UW-Extension
Bring a notebook and garden-starting motivation to this spring class! Bill will share his knowledge and answer your questions about the basics of starting and managing your vegetable garden. Members $4; Regular Price $8
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Succulent Shallow Container Garden
Monday, April 2, 7-8 p.m.
Debbie Roznowski, The Plant Station Greenhouse
Bring your own shallow container, large enough for 3-5 plants, to this plant-and-take workshop. The Plant Station Greenhouse will provide eight different succulents for you to choose from. Learn about succulents, how to plant, and how to maintain your new container garden. Members $8; Regular Price $12
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The Art of Bonsai: Science, History & Philosophy & Create Your Bonsai Tree (two classes)
Wednesday, April 4, 6-8:30 p.m. & May 2, 6-8:30 p.m.
LeRoy Frahm, Fox Valley Bonsai Society
The first class will cover the aspects of the ancient art of dwarfed trees, to the selection, training, potting, care and display of your Bonsai. The Art of Bonsai is instructed though lecture, with the compliment of
discussion/facilitation, prose, and cartoon humor. Samples of plants, soil mixes, pots, tools, books and magazines will be displayed. Each student will have fun creating a Bonsai tree on May 2 to take home. Through careful pruning and application of Bonsai design and styling your Bonsai will evolve. LeRoy will provide plant, pot, and soil for each participant. Members $25. Regular Price $39
About Our Instructor: LeRoy is a charter member of the Fox Valley Bonsai Society, for which he has served as President, Special Events Coordinator, and Annual Show Chairman. He has been involved in area workshops during the past 30 years at such places as, Fox Valley Technical College, Memorial Gardens, Lawrence University and Björklunden Lodge in Door County. He has attended seminars at the Chicago Botanical Gardens, and collected bonsai material from around the United States during his many travels.
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Let's Talk Roses
Monday, April 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
Carl Christensen,Certified Rosarian, American Rose Society
This class is for beginners and advanced rose gardeners. Carl will talk about how to prune, fertilize, feed, and prevent rose diseases. His picture presentation will highlight shrub roses, tea roses, grandafloras, minis, and polyanthas. He will have examples of fertilizer and a rose plant along with him, including a shrub rose to give away to one participant. Members $6; Regular Price $10
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There's an Artist in You: SLR Advanced Outdoor Photography
Wednesday, April 18, 6-8 p.m.
Debbie Daanen & Ashley Schmit, Debbie Daanen Photography
Bring your single-lens reflex (SLR) camera to the Gardens for advanced outdoor photography
instruction. In addition, bring your favorite picture from home (on CD or printed). Debbie & Ashley will help you generate ideas to turn it into art. They will bring in examples and give each participant a gift card for credit toward a photographic product. Members $6; Regular Price $10
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Make Your Own Faux Stone Container
Wednesday, April 25, 6-8 p.m.
Loris Damerow, Gardener/Designer
Learn the steps and make a 'fake' stone planter using peat moss, vermiculite, and cement. This unusual material looks and wears like stone and serves as a dish garden or small planter. All materials will be supplied to create a round 'faux' stone container for outdoor use. Members $14; Regular Price $18. Limited to eight participants.
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Stained Glass Sun Catchers
Thursday, May 3, 4-6 p.m. or Thursday, July 19, 4-6 p.m.
Glenn ErdmannVolunteer
Glenn will teach families how to create beautiful stained glass flower-design sun catchers. The sun catchers will be fused/heated in a kiln offsite, and will be available for pick-up at the Gardens later in the week. This is a great way to create a wonderful handmade treasure for the holidays. Each participant will make two sun catchers of their own design. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Members $10; Regular Price $14
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Ornamental Trees & Shrubs
Wednesday, May 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Jessica Wickland, Outagamie County UW-Extension and Schmalz Garden Center
The class will talk about the identification and proper care of ornamental trees and shrubs hardy for zone 4 and colder. Some plants discussed will be more common, while others will be harder to find and more unique. This will include a walk around the Gardens' grounds, so dress appropriately. Following the walk outside, a slideshow presentation of Jessica's favorite trees and shrubs will be shown. Members $6
Regular Price $10
About Our Instructor: Jessica works at the UW-Extension as the seasonal horticulture assistant, and at Schmalz Garden Center as the Plant Diagnostic Specialist. She also volunteers with the Outagamie County Master Gardeners and takes nature photographs for her hobby business, J Annie Imagery.
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Bees, Hives, and Honey
Tuesday, May 22, 5-6:30 p.m.
Jim Nelson, GFC Lead Beekeeper
Meet Jim Nelson and our Italian Docile Honeybees. Hike out to see the honeybees on site at Gardens of the Fox Cities. Jim will share his knowledge of honeybees including breeds, lifecycle, types in a hive, and why bees are important to the agricultural industry. He is our lead beekeeper here at the Gardens, and he will discuss bees in distress and why we need more beekeepers. Here's your chance to learn about beekeeping, resources, and how to start your own hive. Participate in a honey harvesting demonstration (things may get sticky) and take a sample honey jar home. Class is appropriate for children 9 and older. Member Family Price $8; Regular Family Price $12
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Fly By, Butterfly
Thursday, May 31, 6-7:30 p.m.
Cheryl Root, Educator and NAI Certified Naturalist
Enjoy a summer afternoon at the Gardens. Learn how to attract butterflies to your backyard by planting host and nectaring plants. Our focus will be on four of the more common types of butterflies, including monarchs and swallowtails. Member Family Price $6; Regular Family Price $10
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Stained Glass Wind Chime
Wednesday, June 20, 6-8 p.m.
Glenn Erdmann, Volunteer
In this adult class, make your own stained glass wind chime to enjoy in your garden throughout the
seasons. The glass will be fused/heated in a kiln offsite, and will be available for pick-up at the
Gardens later in the week. Glenn will install wire rings and add cord. You will pick it up fully assembled. Members $14; Regular Price $18
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Botanical Papermaking - (adults only)
Wednesday June 27, 6-8 p.m.
De DalumVolunteer
You are invited to get creative at the Gardens! Add color, texture, shapes, seeds, and flowers. Learn the paper-making process and get to work crafting several pieces of unique paper to take home. Class is limited to 8 participants. Members $4 Regular Price $8
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Botanical Papermaking
(For children ages 6 & up)
Thursday, June 28 5:30-7:30 p.m.
De Dalum, Volunteer
You are invited to get creative at the Gardens! Add color, texture, shapes, seeds, and flowers. Learn the paper-making process and work together crafting several pieces of unique paper to take home. Every registered child should be accompanied by an adult. Member Family Price $8; Regular Family Price $12. Limited to eight participants.
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Monarch Magic
Thursday, July 12, 2-3:30 p.m.
Cheryl Root, Educator and NAI Certified Naturalist
Learn tips for finding and enjoy the magic of rearing monarch butterflies. Watch larva munch away increasing their size 2000 times in just two weeks. Be amazed at the larvae's transformation to the pupa stage and awed at the sight of seeing your butterfly emerge from its chrysalis. Fun for all ages. Be a part of monarch magic! Member Family Price $6; Regular Family Price $10
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Landscape Design for the Homeowner
Wednesdays, July 25 & August 1, 6-8:30 p.m.
Jim Beard, Fox Valley Technical College
During this two-class series, Jim will teach principles of landscape design and how to create a schematic drawing. Bring your site dimensions, pencils, and scale if you have one. Jim will provide all other drawing materials. Be prepared to gather and share design ideas with classmates and while touring the Gardens. Jim will help you put your design plan together during the second class. Members $8; Regular Price $12
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Make Your Own Faux Stone Rock Container
Wednesday, August 15, 6-8 p.m.
Loris Damerow, Gardener/Designer
Learn the steps to making a 'fake' rock planter out of hypertufa, a conglomerate material of cement, Peat moss, and vermiculite. The fake rock has a cavity for planting a single plant, so it looks like it is growing out of the rock. Materials will be provided. Members $14; Regular Price $18. Limited to six participants.
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Life In, Under, and Around the Pond
Tuesday, August 21, 2-3:30 p.m.
Cheryl Root, Educator and NAI Certified Naturalist
Come investigate life at the pond! Dig in the muck and identify macroinvertebrates, go on a scavenger hunt, and participate in sensory and buffer zone activities. Participants should wear old shoes or boots for program. Member Family Price $6; Regular Family Price $10
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The "How" and "Why" of Native (Prairie) Landscaping
Wednesday, August 22, 5-8 p.m.
Annette Weissbach, WDNR
Prairie plants can stand alone or enhance your existing gardens. Learn about the beauty and care of prairie plants and see how a prairie garden evolves over time. Explore different approaches to planting and maintaining an actual prairie, to planting a butterfly and seed garden, to simply incorporating natives in a manicured garden. Pictures of various prairie approaches will be shown in lecture and Q&A format. Plant identification will occur in the prairie at the Gardens. Members $6; Regular Price $10
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Gardens of the Fox Cities
1313 E. Witzke Blvd. Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 993-1900 info@gardensfoxcities.org
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