Calendar of Events - April/May
APRIL
GARDENING IN DRY TIMES
April 3
Last summer’s record heat and the continuing drought has been a stress for many plants, including many usually tough species in our gardens and natural areas. In this program, Director of Education Lisa Wagner will discuss how to make your garden less reliant on additional water through careful plant selection and mulching. She’ll talk about choosing drought-tolerant plants for different areas of your landscape and the different strategies that drought-tolerant plants use to conserve water. This program will be a combination of an illustrated presentation and interactive discussion.
Hours: Thursday, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Fee: $10 ($8 for Garden and Museum members & volunteers)
Location: Hayden Conference Center
BASICS OF GARDENING IN THE UPSTATE
April 10
Whether you’re new to the Upstate, or new to gardening, this presentation is designed to get you started gardening in the Piedmont. Beginning with a brief overview of our Zone 7 climate, we’ll consider site considerations, soil evaluation (and amendments), plant selection, and suggestions for how to create an attractive landscape that won’t tie you to your garden. Education Director Lisa Wagner will share her experiences gardening and learning from other gardeners in the Upstate.
Hours: Thursday, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Fee: $7 ($5 to Friends of the Garden, Museum, and volunteers)
Location: Hayden Conference Center
PLANT SELECTION FOR THE UPSTATE
April 17
Spring’s selection of plants usually inspires gardeners and would-be gardeners, although soil preparation and adequate moisture are keys to successful spring planting. We’ll talk about selecting plants that will thrive in your landscape, whether it’s sun or shade, and how to choose plants that will suit your needs and gardening style. This program is designed for beginning and intermediate gardeners who’d like to expand their gardening skills.
Hours: Thursday, 10:00 - noon, April 17
Fee: $12 includes a behind-the-scenes SCBG plant sale preview ($10 for Garden and Museum members & volunteers)
Location: Nature Learning Center
Spring Plant Sale
April 18 & 19
Friday: Preview Plant Sale
for Friends of the Garden & Geology Museum
2:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m
New Friends may join at the sale.
Saturday: Public Plant Sale
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Open to the public, free.
MAY
PRACTICAL BOTANY FOR GARDENERS
May 6
Learn more about the fascinating world of plants in this class designed for gardeners and naturalists. How do flowers produce fruits? How are plants identified? How do I tell when seeds are mature? Why does pinching and deadheading prolong flowering? Why do some plants wilt sooner than others? Explore the intricacies of plants with Education Director Lisa Wagner.
Hours: Tuesday, May 6, 9:00 – 12 noon
Fee: $25 ($20) for Garden and Museum members & volunteers)
Location: Nature Learning Center
MAKING MORE PLANTS: PROPAGATION TECHNIQUES FOR GARDENERS
May 8
Interested in growing plants from cuttings, starting plants from seed, and learning about the basics of plant division? Join horticulturist and SCBG Nursery Manager Ryan Merck for a demonatration-based workshop focused on plant propagation. Ryan is responsible for the Garden's excellent biannual plant sales as well as ongoing propagation nd plant production for SCBG landscapes.
Hours: Thursday, 9:00 - 11:00am
Fee: $12 ($10 for Garden & Museum members and volunteers)
Location: Nature Learning Center
SOUTH INDIA’S NATURAL DIVERSITY
May 13
The coasts of Goa and Kerala, the inland backwaters, the diversity of the Western Ghats, and the landscapes surrounding the southern hill stations were the focus of a recent trip to South India. Director of Education Lisa Wagner and her husband Tim Spira are keen natural history travelers whose interests in the natural world and other cultures have encouraged them to explore diverse places throughout the world (on their own with lightweight luggage, binoculars, and camera in hand).
Hours: Tuesday, 12 noon-1pm.
Fee: FREE
Location: Hayden Conference Center
MUSEUM DAY/ OPEN HOUSE
May 17
Bring the family for an afternoon of natural discovery! Kids will enjoy crafts and "digging" for fossils and minerals, as well as the unique exhibits on display in the museum. Bring along your favority rocks or fossils for identification.
Hours: Saturday 1:00-4 :00
Fee: FREE
Location: Campbell Geology Museum