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| Hello -- I just went online and found all the classes offered at Denver Botanical Gardens. I am pretty new to gardening (containers only as I have no yard) and really love growing herbs for cooking, started some bulbs this fall, and considering growing some tomatoes and other veg this summer possibly.
They seem to have a LOT of different classes on all sorts of topics, so I was wondering who here has taken any classes there, which ones you took, and if there are any specific classes you took that you'd recommend? Mostly I'm referring to the gardening classes, but they have a lot of art/painting/drawing classes too, which might be fun if I decided to get back into my watercolors. Let me know & thanks for commenting! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Hi sister-k. It's not a direct answer to your question, but I would go to the bookstore or on line and get a book on container gardening. It's what we do in the winter ;-) |
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| I'm currently boycotting the DBG classes. They charge a $2 fee for registration processing. They cancelled one of my classes, meaning they decided not to have it because they didn't get enough people, and they kept the $2. They told me it is a fee to support keeping up the database they use for registration. Sure, it was only $2, but I was appalled on principle: they cancel a class and keep some of my money. I got charged for missing out on a educational opportunity through no fault of my own. Also, their classes are overpriced, even without the extorted money. I took several classes from Christina Bloom, who is excellent, for over $50 each at DBG. She offered the same classes (instructor, content, supplies, etc.) at Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Tagawa for about half that price. All that said, I have never taken a bad class at DGB. Some have certainly been better than others, but no duds. H |
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| Hi Sis, I’ve never taken a class at DBG, but you might also want to check out some of the other local classes! Timberline has classes that they hold in their Little Red Schoolhouse! Here’s a link to the list of classes for this year—which they just posted today, so I think it’s possible they might still add more. They’re all just $10, unless you create something in class that you get to take home with you. And if you take one of Kelly’s classes, you can’t go wrong! He’s one of the most knowledgeable hort people I know. And Mary’s teaching some of the classes again this year—she used to propagate and grow ALL of the herbs over at Paulino’s, along with many of the annuals, veggies and perennials. She knows what she’s talking about too. I don’t know the other people Kelly has teaching this year. Sometimes he does get Lauren Springer to teach a class or two, but I don’t see her there yet this year. And, I’d be surprised if his classes don’t fill up, but—if one doesn’t, I’m absolutely certain he’d refund your money! (DBG keeps some of the money?????) I’m sure you’d be happy with any of the classes at Timberline—if you can find something you’re interested in! And Paulino’s has a bunch of FREE classes, again, unless you create something you get to take home! Here’s a link to that list. I noticed that Gwen Kelaidis (wife of Panayoti from DBG) is having a class about hardy succulents and a book signing for her book of the same name! If you’re at all into succulents, I’m positive that would be a good class. Otherwise I don’t know the others that are teaching, and they didn’t have classes yet when I was there, so I’m not sure where they do it or what they’re like. But, hey, the price is right! I looked over the DBG list, and I thought they were kinda pricey too—and I thought some of them were WAY over the top! I wonder how they decide how much they’re gonna charge? And then—there’s always us here too! At RMG you definitely get a good value for your money! ;-) |
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- Posted by jaliranchr z5 EC CO (My Page) on Thu, Feb 26, 09 at 20:59
| Yikes! I looked at the price of some of those classes. I went to a waterwise seminar in 2006 with David Salaman and I think the price made me gulp then, but I enjoyed it, so it was worth it in the long run to me. Those are great suggestions for alternatives, skybird. |
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| I should have been in bed a couple hours ago, ‘cause I have to get up in just a few hours, so I shouldn’t even be posting here — BUT — JALI! If you can drive in to Denver to go to a class at DBG (and Bonnie can drive in from the Western Slope), you can drive in to Denver for the Swap!!! We’ll all be expecting to meet you at the Swap in May, with bells on, and a few chirps in your pocket! :-) |
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| Yes, I kind of thought so, since most of the classes are not even very long and run $30-50 or even a lot more for some. This is not the time to be spending that kind of money when I have probably already learned more here, you're right! Thanks for links to some other places, I will definitely check them out. That's a great idea and I might even have some money for more plants and containers... |
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- Posted by dan_staley USDA 5/S 2b (My Page) on Thu, Feb 26, 09 at 23:53
| Don't quote me on this, and I've been impressed with the turnaround in the DBG (says the cranky old landscaper and hort guy), but IMHO the classes are for rich people who can't/won't figure it out for themselves. I'd be happy to be proven wrong.. I refuse to either go or teach the classes, and I don't buy the stuff at the potpourri-reeking gift shop, either. But the grounds...the grounds are really shaping up. No need for classes there. Too many other options. And I should say that Tagawa offers classes like Paulino's does, too. Use your imagination to prevail! Dan |
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