CCC Horticulture Department Offers Variety of Winter Programs

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:22:33 GMT

It’s winter and the garden is dormant. It’s a perfect time for home gardeners to hone their knowledge and skills for the gardening season. The Horticulture Department this winter will offer a variety of workshops, symposiums and classes for home gardeners, as well as classes for professional licensing. A roundup of short courses and workshops during winter term follows: • Winter Food Growing: Wednesday, Jan. 6, through March 17, from 1 to 3:50 p.m. in Clairmont, room 118. This 11-week class utilizes a hands–on approach to organic methods of growing cool season food plants, including using a hoop-house. Fee is $30. • Fruit Tree Short Course: Fridays, Jan. 8, through Feb. 5, from 1 to 3:50 p.m., Clairmont room 133. Instructor Karen Tillou offers fruit recommendations for the Willamette Valley. Orchard bloom time, pruning, training, tree fruit insects and diseases, propagation, harvesting, storage and uses of tree fruit will be discussed. The fee for the one-credit course is $87. • Crop Planning for Diverse Plantings: Friday, Jan. 15, 9 to 11:50 a.m., Clairmont, room 133. Learn a refined crop planning and record keeping system for annual vegetable and cut-flower plantings, and general principles for creating your own systems. The course will use Excel-style spread sheets. Fee: $30. • Organic Land Care for the Professional: Jan. 25 through Jan. 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. in Clairmont room 118. This five-day workshop for landscape professionals focuses on organic practices for soil building and healthy turf in ornamental landscapes. Co-sponsored by Oregon Tilth and the Horticulture Department. Fee: $530. Accreditation exam is an additional cost of $100. To register call 503-378-0690. • Marketing Waterwise Landscaping: Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 6:30 to 8:20 p.m., Clairmont room 117. Explore ways to incorporate water efficiency into standard business practices including business retention, new business and water conservation practices including for residential and commercial clients. This workshop qualifies for Irrigation Association CEUs. Fee is $20. • Pesticide Applicator in Spanish: Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m., Clairmont 118. This course provides a review of the safe use of pesticides: protective equipment, mixing, loading, spraying, storage, transportation and application equipment. Recertification credits are available. Fee is $35. • Pesticide Core Training: Friday, Feb. 5, from 8 a.m. to 11:50 p.m., Clairmont room 118. This workshop provides training required by the Oregon Department of Agriculture for the re-certification of the Private Pesticide License. This workshop is designed for individuals who intend to maintain a current ODA Private Pesticide License. Fee is $25. • Fruit Tree Pruning: Saturday, Feb. 6, from 9 to 11:50 a.m. at the Home Orchard Society Arboretum at CCC. The class features demonstrations and practice of pruning methods appropriate for a variety of fruit trees. The class is cosponsored by the Home Orchard Society. Fee is $10. • Herb Growing and Gardening: This one-credit course is taught by instructor Elizabeth Howley. Meets Saturdays, Jan. 30, Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 from 8:30 to 11:50 a.m., Clairmont 117. Students will study herb plants, including propagation and garden use. Tuition and fees: $92. • Urban Pest Management Course: Wednesday, Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 4:50 p.m., Gregory Forum. Workshop covers current ornamental plant pest control information, with eight ODA pesticide re-certification credits available. The fee is $65 by Feb. 3 or $75 after Feb. 3. For registration and fee information, call 541-737-3541. • Fruit Tree Grafting (Beginning and Intermediate): Saturday, Feb. 20, Clairmont 118. These three workshops (two beginning and one intermediate) provide hands-on experience for grafting fruit trees. Two beginning Fruit Tree Grafting workshops are offered: from 9 to 10:20 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. The intermediate Fruit Tree Grafting workshop is from 12:45 to 2:05 p.m. Fee is $15 per workshop. For more information about horticulture offerings at CCC, please call the Horticulture Department at 503-657-6958, ext. 2246 or visit http://depts.clackamas.edu/hort/