Gardening Basics: Using Science to Grow Better Plants

Bryce Lane, Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Emeritus and Lecturer Emeritus, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University

Mondays, February 4 through March 25, 2019 – 6:30 pm–8:30 pm

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Whether you are new to gardening, a seasoned gardener, or new to this area, this eight week gardening class will help you be more successful in all your gardening endeavors! By understanding plant classification, growth, soils, and reproduction we will learn how to be better at propagation, plant selection, planting, pruning, fertilizing, and pest management. This practical, dynamic gardening course will equip you to handle most all of your gardening challenges.

Bryce Lane's garden

Tentative Syllabus

February 4: Introduction and Plant Classification

Course introduction followed by a session on how plants are classified and named, and why it is important to embrace it as a gardening enthusiast. We will learn about genus, species, varieties, and cultivars, with many examples coming from stories originating right here at the JCRA.

February 11: Plant Nomenclature and Plant Growth and Development

By understanding how plants get their names, we as gardeners can do a better job selecting and using plants in our own gardens. Then we will enter into a session learning about the processes of plant growth and how by understanding these processes we can solve many common garden problems, and answer numerous gardening questions.

February 18: Plant Growth and Development

We will continue our discussion of plant growth and development as it relates to plant selection, placement, and general garden maintenance.

February 25: Plant Reproduction

We will learn the basics of plant reproduction, which will enable us to discuss propagating plants from seed, cuttings, layerage and division.

March 4: Soils and Bed Preparation

A session on basic soil chemistry, physics, and biology for the purpose of creating better garden soils that spell success in the life of our plants. We will also learn about soil building, bed preparation, and composting.

March 11: Planting and Transplanting

This session is all about gardening best practices for planting, transplanting, container planting, and waterwise gardening. How do we plant in places where the soil is poor, or where we have no soil at all.

March 18: Pruning and Fertilizing

In this session we learn why you should prune, when you should prune, and how you should prune. We will identify the best tools, techniques, and strategies for pruning. Then we will do the same for fertilizing plants—including a discussion on organics verses synthetics.

March 25: Pest Management and Wrap-up

A full discussion on all the best pest management practices for the gardener. Believe it or not, you have numerous choices in the way you manage pests. Then we will sadly wrap up loose ends and bid one another farewell.…

Cost
$200.00 for members, $250.00 for nonmembers. Note to nonmembers: instead of paying $50.00 more for the program, become a member for $50.00 instead.
Registration
Advance registration is required. Please register online using our registration e-store. Registration is limited to 24 people and is considered complete when payment is received.
Cancellation
Program cancellations can be made up to two weeks before the program's start date. A 15% cancellation fee applies.
Location
JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions
Contact Chris Glenn at (919) 513-7005 or chris_glenn@ncsu.edu for more information about this event.