Landscape for Life Being Offered
January - March 2014
Look for other offerings coming soon!
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| First LFL Class Graduates |
Are you new to gardening or a gardener new to Southside? Have you ever wanted to take the Master Gardener course but are still working or don’t want to commit to the volunteer obligation? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Southside Master Gardener Association has a program just for you!
The Landscape for Life series starts off on January 11 with an introduction to soils. Most times we don’t give soil any thought. Soils are everything to the plant. It is through the interaction of roots and the soil that plants receive their nutrition and water. Healthy soils are the basis of a beautiful garden.
Water quality will be discussed on January 25. Stormwater management is very important no matter where you live. We need to garden and manage runoff in ways that protect our waterways. You will learn special techniques to properly manage rainwater in your landscape.
On February 8th choosing the right plant for the right place will be reviewed. It is important to avoid invasive alien plants that disrupt our natural habitats. Native plants can often be a good choice in the sustainable garden but not necessarily the only choice. You will learn what to consider as you make the best plant selections for your garden.
We will have a special treat on February 22. A strong design is the backbone of any landscape. You shouldn’t put a shovel in the ground until you’ve assessed your space and determined what functions you want your landscape to serve such as play area, privacy or entertaining. The design development will be an ongoing project but to help with the plan Michelle Wallace, Consumer Horticulture Extension Agent from Durham, NC will guide you through the basics of planning a landscape.
Materials, normally thought of as hardscape, will be discussed on March 8th. In the landscape, hardscapes are often used for things such as fencing, arbors, trellises or pathways. This will be a fun class chock full of ideas on how to use repurposed/recycled materials to define areas in the garden.
The last class on March 22 will be devoted to each member’s personal design and their specific issues. Some designs will be discussed in the class and everyone will have the opportunity for a personal consultation. You will leave the program feeling confident that you can have the landscape of your dreams and help protect the environment for enjoyment of future generations.
There will be a $25 fee to cover the materials for the 6 sessions. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions to get the maximum value out of the classes. However if this just doesn’t work into your schedule, individual classes will have a $5 fee. The fee is for a family – husband and wife, parent and MATURE child or roommates. The family must be discussing the same landscape. This would make a great Christmas gift!
Advance registration and payment is required. To register, go to the Halifax Extension Office with check made out to SSMGA for $25 for the series or $5 for each individual class. You can mail the check with a list of classes to attend if selecting the individual option to:
Halifax County Extension Office
PO Box 757
Halifax, VA 24558
