Free Gardening Workshops
All workshops are held on Saturdays at 10:00 AM.
Please reserve your seat as our space accommodates 30 people only. To
make a reservation, please call
(928) 776-8000 or email
info@mortimer-nursery.com.
If there is a topic you are interested in that we
are not presenting, please let us know and we will consider it for
future workshops!
JANUARY 2008
Jan. 19th: Pesticide & Herbicides: Safe, Appropriate & Effective Use
We’ve all been confused by the variety of products available to control
pests and weeds, and to feed our lawns and plants. This workshop will
present basics on how pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers work,
discuss pros and cons of popular chemicals, and suggest less toxic
alternatives. You'll get the information you need to use chemicals and
organics effectively and safely! Presented by Gary Stramandinoli of Gro-Well.
Gary, an Arizona Certified Nursery Professional, has been gardening and
working in the horticulture field since 1965.
Jan. 26th: Making Your Landscape Healthy,
Resilient and Beautiful: A Guide to Fire-Resistive Landscaping
A must for those in the urban-wildland interface! Discover how
Fire-resistive Landscaping can be beautiful and water-wise - all this
and protect your home from wildfire. You'll learn about appropriate
plants for fire-resistive landscaping and how to zone your landscape to
best protect your home. Presented by Gene Twaronite, Defensible Space
Educator for The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for Yavapai
County.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 2nd: Pinion Pine Scale and Bark Beetles
How to identify, prevent and manage these two common pests. Presented by
Gary Mortimer, Owner, Mortimer Nursery.
Feb. 9th: Inviting Wild Birds to your Yard with
Landscaping
Wild birds can bring so much life to our yards. Invite them into yours
by landscaping with plants that provide food, shelter and nesting sites.
You'll be rewarded with hours of pleasure as you watch and listen to the
birds enjoy the habitat you've provided. Presented by Eric Moore, owner
of Jay's Bird Barn, author of the weekly Daily Courier article about
bringing wild birds to your yard, and member of the Prescott Area
National Audubon Society.
Feb. 16: Tree Pruning 101
Back by popular demand! If you have trees, you need to prune so here's
your chance to learn proper pruning techniques. Proper pruning promotes
a healthy, beautiful ornamental or shade tree and better fruit
production for fruit trees. Presented by Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent,
Agriculture & Natural Resources with University of Arizona Cooperative
Extension for Yavapai County.
MARCH
March 8: Rose Gardening: Planting, Caring for &
Pruning Roses
Roses bring so much to our gardens with their variety of colorful blooms
and fragrances. In this workshop you'll be shown how to care for your
roses - from planting to pruning the different types of roses, and
preventing and managing common pests and diseases. Presented by Peggy
Hughes, Consulting Rosarian of the Yavapai Rose Society.
March 29: Creating a Colorful Garden with
Perennials and Ornamental Grasses
Perennials have so much to offer a gardener: bloom color, leaf texture
and color, fragrance. A beautiful perennial garden starts with choosing
the best plants for your site, selecting plants that have a long bloom
period, and extending the bloom season with early and late bloomers.
Learn the basics of maintaining a perennial garden with deadheading and
seasonal clean-up. Presented by Richard Wise, Master Gardener and avid
perennial gardener.
APRIL
April 5: Landscaping with Native Plants
Curious about native plants but not sure where to start? Already
gardening with natives but looking for new additions to your landscape?
At this workshop you'll learn the advantages of landscaping with native
plants, which native plants will thrive in our area, and see native
plants in bloom. Presented by Jeff Grass of Mountain States Wholesale
Nursery.
April 12: Vegetable Gardening Basics
Dig in and start growing your own luscious vegetables. This workshop
will get you started with all the basics on soil preparation, planting
times, best varieties for area, and pest control. Presented by Valerie
Phipps, Manager, Mortimer Nursery and Arizona Certified Nursery
Professional.
April 26: Container Gardening
Containers are not just for annuals anymore! Gardeners have discovered
the fun of gardening in containers and are using perennials, shrubs and
even trees in containers. Learn how to select the best plants for
containers, and how to care for plants in containers. Presented by Jim
Rupe of Monrovia Growers.
MAY
May 3: Spring Open House
details
May 10: Spring Iris Exhibit by the Prescott Area Iris Society 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
May 31: Create your own Culinary Bowl
Create your own Culinary Herb Bowl and learn the basics of herb
gardening. Fee of $25 covers five 4” herbs, potting bowl and soil, or
just listen in for free. Presented by Valerie Phipps, Herbalist &
Arizona Certified Nursery Professional.
JUNE
June 7: High Desert Gardening: A Guide for Those
New to Area
This is the workshop for those new to gardening in the high desert. By
understanding local soil, climate, and precipitation patterns you'll be
prepared to make better plant choices for your landscape. Also learn
about locally common pests and diseases and how best to prevent or
manage them. Presented by Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent, Agriculture &
Natural Resources with University of Arizona Cooperative Extension for
Yavapai County.
June 14: Cacti & Other Succulents for the Arizona
Highlands
Gene Twaronite will present a PowerPoint program providing descriptions
and cultural information on over 50 different kinds of succulents
suitable for elevations of 5,000 feet and higher. Besides being an
Instructional Specialist in Defensible Space Education for the
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Yavapai County, Gene is
also an avid cactophile and grows many native species on his 5 acres in
west Chino Valley.
June 28: Rainwater Harvesting
1 inch of rain on 1,000 sq. ft roof yields 623 gallons of FREE
WATER! Collecting rainwater is a simple, sustainable, and
responsible way to nourish your garden. This workshop will focus
on how to capture the rainwater from your roof, store it for use during
drought periods, and how to integrate a rainwater harvesting system
into your new or existing landscape. Not only will your plants be
healthier, but you will also learn how to maintain an adequate personal
water supply free of insect or allergen growths. MacRae Nicoll,
Owner of High Desert Rain Catchment has installed over 60,000 gallons
of rainwater storage across Northern Arizona and holds his Permaculture
Design and Permaculture Dry Lands Design Certifications. Visit www.highdesertrain.com for more information.
JULY
July 19: 1st Annual Daylily Festival
Daylily Sale 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM: buy 3 daylilies of the same size and get 1
free (equal or lesser value)
Daylily Dollars available10:00 AM - 2:00 PM: visit with daylily grower
representatives, see the best varieties, and collect one Daylily Dollar from
each representative to be used toward your daylily purchase.
Daylily Bloom Exhibit: discover the beauty of daylilies and vote for your
favorite daylily!
AUGUST
August 16: Growing Daylilies in the High Desert
Daylily slideshow and talk presented by Eloise Koonce, President,
Desert Daylily Society. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PRESENTATION WILL BEGIN
AT 11:00 AM.
August 23: Make Your Own Gourd Rattle
Rattles
have been used over the years in many diverse cultures. Make your own
gourd rattle and decorate it with your personalized design with
American Indian Mesquite – Pitch paint. You’ll also learn about gourds
and see examples of gourd crafting. $5.00 fee goes to the Yavapai
Gourd Patch for materials. Presented by members of the Yavapai Gourd
Patch.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 13: Autumn Outreach Fair
details
Sept. 20: Planting for Fall Color
Your garden doesn’t have to fade at the end of summer! Get tips on
planting for color and winter interest with colored foliage, berries,
grasses and interesting seedpods. Presented by Lee Morris, Landscape
Designer, Mortimer Nursery.
OCTOBER
Oct. 4: Harvesting, Storing and Using Dried Herbs
Now that your herbs are ready for harvesting learn how to harvest
correctly, store properly, and discover all the varied uses for your
aromatic and flavorful dried herbs. Presented by Valerie Phipps, expert
herbalist and Arizona Certified Nursery Professional.
DECEMBER
Dec. 13: 10th Annual Holiday Open House & 3rd Annual Holiday Dessert Bake-off
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