Seminar Schedule

Growing Apples in the Home Garden
Date: February 2, 2008
Location: The Big Apple, Wrentham, MA
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon
Instructor: Dr. Wes Autio, University of Massachusetts
The visual experience of flowering fruit trees in the home landscape is surpassed only by the delicious variety of summer and fall fruits which they produce. Growing apples successfully can be a horticultural challenge, but it can be done! Dr. Wes Autio will present an in depth program on how to grow apples in the home landscape. Varieties, rootstocks, young tree care, nutrition, and training will be covered.
Tuition = $60

No Bad Apples – Dealing with Apple Pests
Date: February 2, 2008
Location: The Big Apple, Wrentham, MA
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Dr. Dan Cooley, University of Massachusetts
The first step in dealing with the rots and worms in home apple trees is knowing what they are, and why they are causing you problems. With a little know-how, you can increase your chances of growing a healthy crop of apples. Dr. Cooley will help participants with the basics of identification and control of the most important apple insects and diseases.
Tuition = $40

Organic Apple Growing
Date: February 9, 2008
Location: Belkin Family Lookout Farm, South Natick, MA
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Instructors: Dr. Dan Cooley and Dr. Bill Coli, University of Massachusetts
William Alexander, an ardent gardener who wrote The $64 Tomato, after trying to grow organic apples, confessed in the NY Times last year, “I surrendered the high moral ground to the apple maggots, codling moths and fungi that were destroying my trees, and resorted to prophylactic application of a chemical wide-spectrum orchard spray.” Drs. Cooley and Coli humbly suggest that he did not need to do that, because it is possible to produce a crop of good apples organically. The key is understanding the insects and diseases that try to destroy your fruit. The basics of an organic approach to apple pest management will be presented.
Tuition = $80

Growing Vegetables at Home
Date/Location 1: February 23, 2008 - UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, MA
Date/Location 2: March 15, 2008 - Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield, MA
Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Instructor: John Howell, UMass Extension
The taste of home-grown vegetables and the satisfaction from growing your own cannot be surpassed. Mr. Howell will guide you through the practices necessary to create a truly exceptional vegetable garden. Topics will include soil preparation, fertility, vegetable species and varieties, and regular care.
Tuition = $100

Pruning Apple Trees, a Hands-On Workshop
Date: March 1, 2008
Location: The Big Apple, Wrentham, MA
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon
Instructors: Dr. Wes Autio and Jon Clements, University of Massachusetts
Pruning and training apple trees are often challenging: where to make the first cut? In the pruning workshop, Dr. Autio and Mr. Clements will guide participants through the step by step annual process of pruning apples. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning fruit trees in order to produce a bountiful crop.
Tuition = $60

Pruning Peach Trees, a Hands-On Workshop
Date: March 1, 2008
Location: The Big Apple, Wrentham, MA
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Instructors: Dr. Wes Autio and Jon Clements, University of Massachusetts
Pruning peaches is not the same as apples, although arguably easier. Mr. Clements and Dr. Autio will guide participants through the annual pruning process beginning with young trees progressing to mature trees. This hands-on workshop is an opportunity to learn from Mr. Clements and Dr. Autio how to prune peaches and nectarines to achieve a good balance of vegetative growth, fruit buds, and tree health.
Tuition = $40

Growing Berries in the Home Garden
Date: March 8, 2008
Location: Tougas Family Farm, Northborough, MA
Time: 9:00 AM - Noon
Instructor: Sonia Schloemann, UMass Extension
Edible Landscaping has been gaining popularity in recent years. Many types of berries fit well into an edible home landscape. The pleasure of walking out to the backyard berry patch for a sweet handful of berries is matched with some surprising ornamental qualities offered by these plants. Ms. Sonia Schloemann will present an in depth program on how to grow various types of berries in the home landscape. Site and soil requirements, planting systems, cultural practices and pest control will be covered.
Tuition = $60

Pruning Blueberries and Raspberries, a Hands-On Workshop
Date: March 8, 2008
Location: Tougas Family Farm, Northborough, MA
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Instructor: Sonia Schloemann, UMass Extension
Pruning berries can be confusing. What if I cut the wrong thing? In the pruning workshop, Ms. Sonia Schloemann will help participants understand the general principles of pruning blueberries and raspberries. Participants will have the chance for hands on experience in pruning some bushes after receiving instruction in how it is done.
Tuition = $40

Painting with Plants, the Art of Designing a Flower Garden
Date: March 29, 2008
Location: Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield, MA
Time: 9:30 AM -12:30 PM
Instructor: Nancy Garrabrants, UMass Extension
Study the subtleties of combining flower and leaf textures, plant silhouettes, and plant weight. Design concepts of rhythm, proportion, and visual balance will be explored. Learn to manipulate color to create your perfect retreat. Ms. Garrabrants’ experience with garden design will help you create the garden oasis of their dreams.
Tuition = $60

Hot Powered Plants for Cool Gardeners
Date: March 29, 2008
Location: Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield, MA
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Instructor: Tina Smith, UMass Extension
Thrillers, fillers, and spillers…learn what to grow and how to grow some of the newest plants for beautiful, season long color for your garden and patio. From the intense colored flowers of annual phlox and trailing impatiens to the vivid foliage colors of coleus and heuchera and clouds of dainty white flowers of ‘Diamond Frost’ euphorbia, see how easy it is to have beautiful color all season long. With over 20 years experience working with the commercial floriculture industry, Ms. Smith will share some of her favorite, new plant introductions for flower gardens and patio planters.
Tuition = $40

Growing and Pruning Grapes
Date: April 5, 2008
Location: UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, MA
Time: 9:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Instructor: Dr. Duane Greene, University of Massachusetts
Grapes are one of the most universally enjoyed fruits available. Many of the new varieties have excellent taste, are winter hardy, and can make excellent wine. Grapes are fun to grow but present some challenges. Dr. Greene will help participants through the basics and give them the tools to overcome some of the challenges. Specific topics will include selecting varieties, planting, fertilizing, controlling pests, pruning, and training. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct actual pruning and gain both experience and confidence in pruning and training grapes in order to produce a bountiful crop.
Tuition = $100

Growing Herbs, Spices, & Medicinal Plants
Date: April 19, 2008
Location: Topsfield Fairgrounds, Topsfield, MA
Time: 9:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Instructor: Dr. Lyle Craker, University of Massachusetts
Fresh herbs can make the difference between a mediocre meal and an exceptional one, and you can have fresh herbs all year long from your own garden or windowsill. The great variety of herbs, spices, and medicinal plants which can be grown successfully in the home or home garden is outstanding. Dr. Craker will introduce you to growing a variety of these plants, discussing the properties and horticulture.
Tuition = $100

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