Spring Term Horticulture Events and Workshops at CCC

Monday, March 23, 2009

Spring is the perfect time to take a gardening class! Clackamas Community College offers dozens of credit 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 30-April 20, Basic Pruning. A one-credit class that meets Mondays from 1 to 5 p.m., March 30, April 6, 13 and 20. This is a hands-on class sharing methods for pruning tress, shrubs, groundcovers and vines. The fee for the class is $82.

• April 4-April 25, 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., April 4, 11, 18 and 25, Cost: $82.

• April 8, Celebrating Water. A free event to celebrate water with informational booths, speakers and hands-on activities. The event from 1 to 4 p.m. is sponsored by the Clackamas County Water Education Team. Preregistration is not necessary.

• May 2, Garden Composting. This free workshop covers a variety of techniques for composting yard debris. Preregistration is not necessary. Participants meet at the CCC composting demonstration site south of Clairmont. This event is from 9-11 a.m.

• May 15-29, Kitchen Herbs. Horticulture Department chairwoman Elizabeth Howley teaches this one-credit class that covers the use of common herbs and spices as food and craft. The class meets from 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays, May 15, 22 and 29. The fee for the class is $82.

• Flower Arranger’s Garden. A three-credit class that meets Tuesdays spring term from 1 to 5 p.m. Learn how to identify and grow seasonal plants suitable for use as cut flowers and foliage. Includes basic floral design and visits to local cutting gardens.

• Plant Propagations. A three-credit hybrid class that meets Thursdays spring term from 6 to 8 p.m. in addition to online hours. Study the proper techniques for reproducing plants from seed, cuttings, division, micro-propagation and budding.

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 503-657-6958, ext. 2246.