February

Sat., Feb. 6:

11 AM-12:30 PM, Introduction to Bird Feeding, Leslie Our Bird Enthusiast and National Wildlife Habitat Steward. Learn how easy and fun it can be to feed and provide shelter, water and other needs for our feathered friends!

1:30-3:30 PM, Bonsai Basics, Dee, resident Bonsai Expert. Learn about the many important aspects of growing bonsai in Colorado. Topics include watering, fertilizing, basic pruning.

Sun., Feb. 7:

11:30 AM-1:30 PM, Aromatherapy: The Basics, Christina Blume, Herbalist.  In this class you’ll learn aromatherapy basics; history, methods of use and safety, blending, pathways of absorption and of course, recipes.  We’ll learn about and play with lavender, rosemary, clary sage, orange, lime, peppermint, tea tree, thyme, eucalyptus, and chamomile.  You will take home an extensive 26 page notebook full of recipes and information for first aid, body and beauty products, cleaning products and even some recipes for cooking with essential oils.  Everyone will take home an aroma-therapeutic spritzer, aroma-therapeutic massage oil and a personal “inhaler”. Limit: 30, Mat. Fee $ 25, payable to the instructor, please register for this class!

11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Principles of Xeriscape 2: Soil Preparation, Craig Miller Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water & Sanitation District.  Next to design, soil preparation is the most important part of successful xeriscaping and gardening.  We will dish out the “dirt” on amending soil for a water efficient and healthy landscape.

Feb.13-14:  Seed Starting Focus Weekend

Sat., Feb. 13:

10:30-11:30 AM, Attracting Butterflies to Your Backyard, Susan Smith, Naturalist, will introduce you to butterflies common  to our area, Learn how to create a habitat for butterfly attraction.

1:30-2:30 PM, Kid’s Grow Green: Grow Your Own Great Tasting Veggies, Becca & Mimi. Your children are more apt to eat their vegetables if they grow them! In this fun and informative class, kids will learn about planting and growing veggies. They will plant and take home a pot of assorted vegetables. Limit: 15 children, accompanied by adults, max. three children per adult, Mat. Fee $7. Please register for this class.

Sun., Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day!

11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Cooking for Romance, Reagan Han, Sunflower Farmer’s Market. No charge for this class, but please register     

1:30-2:30 Seed Starting 101, Marge, our Garden Expert. Learn about techniques, tips and tricks for success! Besides saving resources, starting your own garden plants from seed is a fun, family project that helps build a connection with the earth.

1:30-3:00 PM, Luscious Moisturizing Lip Balm, Jackie Robb, Herbalist,  Are you tired of putting chemicals on your dry, chapped lips?  Learn to make your own chemical free, personalized lip balm.  Infuse your beautiful lips by adding your own personal touch.  Join us for this special class that will show you the techniques of making your own lip balms infused with organic herbs.  Along with making your own lip balms, you will lean about the healing properties of the herbs and essential oils used in the process.  Participants will take home 2 tubes lip balm and recipes to make more at home! Limit: 30, $8 Mat. Fee, payable to instructor, please register for this class! 

Sat., Feb.20:

10:30-11:30 AM Planning for a Backyard Water Feature, Cyndie Thomas, Expert Ponder.  Learn what you’ll need to consider to successfully create a water feature in this informative PowerPoint® Presentation!

1-2:30 PM, Secrets from my Grandmother's Garden, Don Eversoll, Beauty Beyond Belief. Don shares his family secrets about successful gardening, from soil prep to growing seeds to companion planting and much more.  Find out what a garden should look like when things are done right. These are timeless tips for your own use now, and to pass along to our next generation of gardeners.

Sun., Feb. 21:

11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Going Wild in the ‘Burbs, Leslie our Bird Enthusiast and National Wildlife Habitat Steward. Create a “Wild Corner” in a suburban backyard; learn how much wildlife you can attract by planting varieties that attract birds, butterflies, hummingbirds & more!

11:30 AM-12:30 PM, Principles of Xeriscape 3 & 4: Turf & Plant Selection, Craig Miller, Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water & Sanitation District. The most controversial and misunderstood of the xeriscape principles is the concept of appropriate turf. Turf grasses have a place in the landscape even the xeriscape. We will provide you with guidance on this aspect of landscaping, as well as cover plant selection and proper grouping of plant materials in this informative class.

1:30-3:30 PM, Cold Process Soap Making, Christina Blume, Herbalist. This a demonstration class where you’ll learn how easy it is to make cold process soap in your own kitchen!  Homemade soap contains moisturizing glycerin and is free of the harsh preservatives and other chemicals found in commercial soaps that can be so drying and irritating to skin. You'd never believe that soap making was this easy!  Warning: soap making is addictive, but you'll never lack for a birthday, hostess, or shower gift for families and friends.  Take home an extensive handout full of recipes, web sites, and resources plus a bar of the handmade soap and a bottle of fragrance oil and a sample packet of soap pigments. Limit: 24, Mat. Fee $25, payable to instructor, please register for this class.

Feb. 27-28: Bird and Nature Festival        

Sat., Feb. 27:
11 AM-3 PM Exhibits Many wildlife groups will have booths & enhibits for you to visit and exchange information.

10:30 AM-11:30 PM, The Benefit of Bees, Luan Akin, Garden Ambassador and Honey Bee advocate. The benefits of these much maligned insects are far greater than you may know!

Fruits, vegetables and flowers depend on bees for pollination and then there’s honey…how will you make your baklava without them?

12 Noon-1 PM, Hawk Quest—“Birds of Prey” Demonstration. Come see a live hawk, owl and an eagle in this incredible program by this Parker-based non-profit wildlife education group. The flying demonstration is spectacular!  After the program wildlife and raptor books, educational products and Hawk Quest shirts will be available, all proceeds benefit Hawk Quest

1-2 PM, Bird & Nature Family Hour. Each booth will feature fun and educational projects and info for families!  Examples of booth activities: Making Treats for Birds with Grandma Mi Mi,  Pond Life Puppets  by Luan & more!

Sun., Feb. 28:

12-3 PM, Booths & Exhibits Many wildlife groups will have booths & enhibits for you to visit and exchange information.

12 Noon-1 PM, Hawk Quest—“Owls of the World” Come see a new and special, incredible program focusing on different owls, presented by our friends at this Parker-based non-profit wildlife education group. Live owls will be featured for you to see and be amazed!  After the program wildlife and raptor books, educational products and Hawk Quest shirts will be available, all proceeds benefit Hawk Quest

1-2 PM, Bird & Nature Family Hour. Each booth will feature fun and educational projects and info for families!  Examples of booth activities: Making Treats for Birds with Grandma Mi Mi, Wonderful Bug Puppets by Luan Akin & more!

2-3 PM,  Trees, Shrubs & Perennials for Birds & Other Wildlife, Craig Miller Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water & Sanitation District. Investigate all the varieties needed to build an ecosystem in your own yard that supports birds and wildlife by providing cover, food and water.

March

Mar. 6-7:
Denver Orchid Society Show and Sale
Come see hundreds of these beautiful plants!  Learn about growing orchids from the Society Members, plus purchase orchids and supplies, with all proceeds from the sale going to the Orchid Society as a fundraiser. See DenverOrchidSociety.org for more information.

Sun., Mar. 7:

11:30 AM-12:30 PM Principles of Xeriscape 5 & 6: Irrigation & Mulch Craig Miller, Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water & Sanitation District. Irrigation is necessary in a xeric landscape, at least during the first few years while the plants' root systems are developing.  And critical to making efficient use of that water is the appropriate use of mulch.  Find out what you need to know about these two xeric principles in this class.

Mar. 13-14:
Rocky Mountain African Violet Society Show and Sale
Come see hundreds of these beautiful plants!  Learn about growing African violets from the Society Members, plus purchase African Violets and supplies, with all proceeds from the sale going to the African Violet Society as a fundraiser.

Sat., Mar. 13:

1-2 PM, Nouveau Glamour: Creating an African Violet Centerpiece, MaryAnn.  This demonstration class is appropriate for children and adults alike and also includes an opportunity to create your own centerpiece (items selected must be purchased)!   

Mar. 20-21:
Grow Your Own: Edible Gardening Weekend 1
 

Sat., Mar. 20:

9:30-10:30 AM, Salad in a Pot, Susan C. Vegetable Garden Coach. “Rows” are definitely passé. Why hike to the back yard for those tender, sweet leaves when you can just reach out your door and have all you want? Replant a crop in the time it takes to finish your salad.                 

11 AM-12 PM, Incorporating Vegetables in your Landscape.  Carole Kastler, Landscape Designer, CamelotDesign.net.  Vegetable plants can be a lovely addition to your landscape!  Mix vegetable like Swiss Chard, red lettuce and other colorful plants along side your flowers for stunning results!

12:30-2 PM, Tomatoes 101, Kris, Our Tomato &  Organic Gardening Enthusiastic and Co-Manager of our Annuals/Production Dept.  Learn Kris’s tricks and experience in growing these amazing fruits. You’ll start off your tomato career ahead of the game and stay on track through soil preparation, fertilizing, staking, caging , and (Oh Dear! ) wilt.   

Sun., Mar. 21:

11 AM-12 PM, Principles of Xeriscape™ 7: Maintenance, Craig Miller Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water & Sanitation District. Maintaining the landscape cannot be forgotten, even in a Xeriscape™.  Pruning, occasional weeding and pest management, checking that the irrigation system is functioning properly, and adjusting automatic irrigation systems as the seasons change will be needed.  Come learn what you need to know to maintain your xeriscape properly!

1-2 PM, Potatoes in a Can. This class was incredibly popular last year!! Learn how to turn an ordinary, but clean, everyday trash can into a perfectly, producing piece of garden paraphernalia that’s just packed with potatoes!

2:30-3:30 PM Grow your own Strawberries, Raspberries and Blackberries, Marge, Tagawa’s Garden Expert. These small fruits do surprisingly well here in Colorado. Acquaint yourself with the varieties available, where in your garden they would grow the best and how to amend the soil and fertilize for the best fruit production.      

Mar. 27-28:
Grow Your Own Edibles Weekend 2

Sat., Mar. 27:

10-11 AM, Vegetable Container Gardens, Annuals Staff.  “Rows” have gone by the wayside and “square foot gardens” take up a lot of living space. Convenient and creative containers allow you beauty… and something to eat too. Learn about soil mixes, fertilizing and watering techniques that will make you successful.

11:30 AM -12:30 PM, Planting Bare-root Strawberries for Kids, Becca & Grandma Mimi. Just another one of Mother Nature’s miracles! But still amazing how that ugly, brown and wizened-up crown transforms into pure, sweet deliciousness! Each child will take home their very own pot of strawberries! Limit: 15 children, accompanied by adults, max. three children per adult,  Mat. Fee $7, please register for this class.

2:30-3:30 PM, Asparagus, Onions and other Bare Roots, Marge, Tagawa Garden Expert. Marge will start by answering basic questions about planting bare roots including “Which end goes up?”  then progress to topics such as garden sites, soil preparation, fertilization and harvest tips!

Sun., Mar. 28:
11 AM-12:30 PM, Tomatoes 101, Patty, from our Annuals Staff. Learn Patty’s tricks and experience in growing these amazing fruits. You’ll get ahead fast in your tomato career and stay on track learning about soil preparation, fertilizing, staking, using cages, and the dreaded (Oh Dear! J) wilt.    

1-2 PM, Fabulous Fruits for the Front Range, Craig Miller Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water & Sanitation District. Strawberries, Raspberries and Grapes, Oh My! Skip any frustration and plant what works. Discover “Star varieties” that perform best for us and how to keep them happy, well fed and producing those sweet delights.

2:30-3:30 PM, Early Spring Vegetables, Annuals & Vegetable Garden Coach.

Does any day offer greater joy in the garden than that first day you go outside after the winter and plant the early spring vegetables (Peas, Lettuce, Beets, Spinach, and Radishes)? Learn how, and tips for success!

Coming in April, May and June!

April 9, 10 & 11, Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists Spring Exhibit & Sale. This Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating public awareness of and appreciation for botanical art n our community. This show features original art, prints, cards and calendars, all created by members.  TagawaGardens.com or BotanicalArtists.org for more info.

Fri., Apr. 16, 4-7 PM “Night of Wine & Roses” 20% OFF EVERYTHING* in stock this evening only! First time our potted rose bushes are available for purchase, plus wine tasting by Balistreri Vineyards, gourmet cheeses compliments of the Tagawa Family. Details can be found atTagawaGardens.com. (*excludes patio furniture, pet food, special orders, delivery & labor charges and purchase of gift cards. Not valid with other discounts or offers.)

May 8 & 9, Our 28th Annual Mother’s Day Weekend Spring Open House!
It’s a tradition—bring your whole family for hot dogs, popcorn & pop, and fun musical entertainment*, all compliments of the Tagawa Family as a “Thank You’ for your continued support!  Also, our annual Buy 1 Get 1 FREE* 10” potted (1.5 gal (5.87 l)) hanging basket sale (orange price tags only, while supplies last) *see TagawaGardens.com for details).

June 12 & 13, Herb Festival. Learn to grow and use these colorful, beautiful, tasty and useful plants!