Plants That Heal

Some plants are good for food and others have healing properties.  Participants will learn how the barks, roots, berries and leaves of various native plants are used in healing as tinctures, tea blends, infused oils and poultices.  Karen will encourage participants to understand the plants we share this land with and how to receive their teachings.

Date & Time: Tuesday, March 3 (6:30 - 8:30 pm)

Location: Falmouth Memorial Library               

Instructor:  Karen Thurlow- Kimball, Master Gardener

Cost: $15/person         Limit: 25 registrants

Course Code: A

Pruning Trees for Yourself & Others

Proper pruning of trees and shrubs is a practical skill to gain for your own property or to start a small pruning service.  Participants will learn pruning  principles, safety aspects, tool selection, and use.  Two hands-on pruning opportunities will be included.  Fee includes reference notebook and folding saw. 

Dates & Times: Thursday, April 2 (6:30 - 8:30 pm)

                Saturdays, April 4 and 11 (9 am - noon)

Location: (April 2) - North Yarmouth Town Hall,  Meeting Room

    (April 4 & 11) - TBA

Instructor:  Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator

Cost: $40/person or couple      Limit: 25 registrants

Course Code: B

YardScaping

Did you know that over 2.9 million pounds of yard care pesticides were brought into Maine in 2004?  Learn practical environmental friendly lawn care and gardening methods and many simple ways to eliminate this environmentally unfriendly habit and have an even healthier yard grown without the excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers and water.

Date:  Monday, April 6         Time:  6:30 - 8:30 pm

Location: People Plus, 6 Noble Street, Brunswick

Instructor: Pat Ianni, Master Gardener & YardScaper

Cost: $10                             Limit: 20 registrants

Course Code: C

Gardening to Promote Beneficial Insects 

 Are you interested in natural pest management and learning how beneficial insects, can help control insect pests in your yard and garden?  Participants will learn to identify and attract the good bugs using flowering plants, creative garden design and habitat management techniques.

Date: Tuesday, April 7           Time:  6 :30 - 8:30 pm

Location:  South Portland Library, Main Branch, 482 Broadway

Instructor: Mike Sowers, Insect Ecologist, Arborist, and Master Gardener/YardScaper

Cost: $10/person or couple      Limit: 20 registrants

Course Code: D

Backyard Poultry

Want to grow your own poultry for eggs or meat?  This practical 3-session course will equip you with the knowledge for success.  Fee covers poultry reference notebook and hands-on learning activities.

Dates: Thursdays, April 9, 16 & 23  

Time:  6 :30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Maine Forest Service, Gray

Instructor: Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator

Cost: $25/person or couple      Limit: 25 registrants

Course Code: E

Growing Small Fruit

Learn how to successfully grow strawberries, blueberries and raspberries as a backyarder or a small business.  There will be an opportunity to place a group order for plants.

 Dates: Wednesdays,  April 22, 29 & May 6  

Time:  6 :30 - 8:30 pm

Location: Windham Public Library

Instructor: Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator

Cost: $25/person or couple    Limit: 25 registrants

Course Code:  F

Square Foot Gardening

Would you like a garden that is filled with tasty vegetables, savory herbs and beautiful flowers, but no weeds or hard work?   Learn how to install a beautiful and productive garden that will save time, water, work and money.   Great family project. 

Dates: Wednesdays, May 20, 27 & June 3

Time:   6:30 - 8:30 pm

Locations: 

May 20 - Yarmouth Log Cabin, Route One

May 27 - Yarmouth Town Hall, Community Room

June 3 - Master Gardener residence in Falmouth

Instructors: Taught by Master Gardeners

Cost: $40/person or family (with Square Foot

Gardening book)  Course Code: G1

$25/person or family (no book) Course Code: G2                  Limit:  25 registrants

Is a Root Cellar in Your Future?

Learn what it takes to build and use a root cellar for proper winter storage of selected vegetables.  Get ready for next winter with this practical workshop.

Dates & Times:   Monday, June 15  (6 - 8 pm)

                             Saturday, June 20  (9 - noon)

Location: June 15 - Freeport Town Library

                 June 20 -  field trip TBA

Instructor: Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator

Cost: $20/person or couple    Limit: 25 registrants

Course Code:  H

Plant Based Dyes

This class will explore ancient techniques in revealing the natural colors that are hidden in the flowers, plants and food that we encounter every day.  Each and every dye pot is a vibrant yet subtle display of hidden color.  A variety of materials  will be used as well as a visual reference provided for future use.

 Date: Saturday, June 20                Time:  9 am - 4 pm

Location: 513 Congress Street, Suite 3, Portland

Instructor: Ilaria Robinson

Cost: $60                                Limit:  10 registrants

Course Code: K

Medicinal Native Plant Walk

 On this walk participants will find and discuss native plants traditionally used for medicine by the Wabanaki people.  Ethical ways of gathering plants and methods of processing leaves, flowers, barks and roots to maximize their medicinal potential will also be discussed.  Wear comfortable walking shoes.

 Date & Time: Thursday, June 25 (6:30 - 8:30 pm)

Location: Royal River Park, Yarmouth               

Instructor:  Karen Thurlow- Kimball, Master Gardener

Cost: $15/person         Limit: 25 registrants

Course Code: L

Garden Gem Tours

Registration deadline for tours is May 15

Transportation provided for both trips.

Mount Auburn Cemetery (Cambridge, MA)

Mount Auburn Cemetery is a National Historic Landmark and one of the most beautiful and historic landscapes in America.  Participants will be lead on a guided tour of  the 175-acre grounds which include over 5,000 trees, thousands of shrubs and herbaceous plants,  hills, dells, ponds, woodlands and clearings. 

Date:  Friday, June 5 Time: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

The bus will leave the Park & Ride in South Portland (Exit 45 off the Maine Turnpike) near the Maine Mall at 8:30 am.  The bus will also do a pick-up at the Park & Ride/Train Station in Wells (Exit 19 of the Maine Turnpike) at 9:00 am.

Cost:  $40/person  

Course Code: I

Need a minimum of 40 participants.

Bring your own lunch

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (Boothbay)

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is located on 248 beautiful waterfront acres in Boothbay.  Participants will be lead on a guided tour of the gardens including the new Lerner Garden of 5 Senses.

Date: Friday, June 26

Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Cost: $30/person     Limit: 11participants 

Course Code: J                          

Bring your own lunch or plan to buy on site.

If you drop a class at least three days before the start of the class a full refund will be issued.  Any notice after that will not be refunded.  Course and book fees will be refunded in full if a class is cancelled.                

For more information on educational programs in your area, contact your county Extension office.