Here are Mike's pick of the best garden events, classes and workshops in the area. This calendar is brought to you by the Oregon Association of Nurseries.Updated 6/29/09
All listed events are in Portland unless otherwise noted
Tanabata 2009
Sunday, July 5
Noon-4pm
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston
(above tennis courts in Washington Park)
One of the five Go-Sekku seasonal festivals of Japan. Held in the Garden Pavilion, children will write their wishes on tanzaku (paper strips) and make origami ornaments to hang on bamboo branches which they can take home with them.
Regular garden admission
Hydrangeas
Sunday, July 5
1pm
Joy Creek Nursery
20300 NW Watson Road/Scappoose
Presenter Scott Christie has a love of hydrangeas. With a degree in horticulture from Cornell University, a former co-owner of Joy Creek Nursery, and currently the nursery manager for Terra Nova Nurseries, Scott will give tips on growing and carrying for hydrangeas.
Free event, all welcome
Integrated Pest Management
Saturday, July 11
9am-3pm
Portland Japanese Garden
611 SW Kingston
Director of Grounds, Virginia Harmon leads this class and will discuss how to scout, monitor, identify and treat common garden pests.
Space is limited, must register; 503/542-0280
Fee; $85
Participants must provide their own lunch
Concrete Cast Leaf Class
Saturday, July 11
10am-1pm
Dancing Oaks Nursery
17900 Priem Road/Monmouth
Presenter Diana Goings will help you create your own concrete cast leaf. All materials are provided. Come dressed for mixing concrete, bring gloves.
Must register, class limited to 12 (usually fill up quickly)
Fee; $35
Call; 503/838-6058
Rose Shrub Workshop
Saturday, July 11
9am-3:30pm
PUD Building
1200 Fort/Vancouver, WA
(just off I-5 at Mill Plain)
Sponsored by NW District, American Rose Society
Learn about growing shrub roses; including selection, pruning, planting, and even entering a rose show
Fee; $35, includes lunch
Mail check and mail to:
Pacific NW District, ARS
Attn: John Sitton
1120 25th Avenue SW
Albany, OR 97321
Or for more information call 503/524-7202
Garden Clean-up Work Party
Portland Parks & Recreation
Saturday, July 11
9am-11:30am
Pier Community Garden
N Iris Way and N Barr
All welcome
Green is a Color, Too
Sunday, July 12
1pm
Joy Creek Nursery
20300 NW Watson Road/Scappoose
Presenter Lucy Hardiman is well known throughout the Pacific Northwest as a garden designer, author, lecturer, and plant person. She will discuss the many ways the color green can be used in the garden.
Free event, all welcome
Favorite Ornamental Grasses
Saturday, July 18
10am (both locations)
Al's Garden Center
16920 Roy Rogers Road/Sherwood
Al's Garden Center
1220 N. Pacific Hwy/Woodburn
Learn about ornamental grasses that add motion and movement to the landscape.
Free event, open to all
All About Fuchsias
Saturday, July 18
10am
Al's Garden Center
7505 SE Hogan Road/Gresham
Representatives from the SW Portland Fuchsia Club will give tips on growing and caring for fuchsias
Free event, all welcome
Creating a Children's Garden
Saturday, July 18
10am
Farmington Gardens
21815 Farmington Road/Beaverton
Kristien Forness, Landscape Designer, will discuss design elements and plants for a children's garden.
Class is free, please call to register; 503/649-4568
Private Rose Gardens Tour
Saturday, July 18
9:30am-3:30pm
Sponsored by Portland Rose Society
Visit four private gardens in SW Portland and Vancouver with hundreds of roses. Visit with experienced rose growers and see a variety of companion plantings.
Fee; $35, includes lunch, air-conditioned deluxe motor coach
Benefit for Gold Award Garden handicap accessibility at Washington Park Rose Garden.
To register; 503/777-4311
DIY Landscape Design
Sunday, July 19
1-3pm
Farmington Gardens
21815 Farmington Road/Beaverton
Landscape Designer Ann Nickerson will give ideas on starting a new garden or improving an existing one. Note; this class is twice as long as other classes in order to make in as comprehensive as possible.
Class is free, please call to register; 503/649-4568
Concrete Leaf Casting with Real Leaves
Saturday, July 25
10am-noon
Farmington Gardens
21815 Farmington Road/Beaverton
Jackie Flowers will help you make a one of a kind bird/butterfly feeder bowl which can be easily placed on a copper support. All supplies provided.
Space is limited, must register; 503/649-4568
Fee; $45
26th Annual Gardener's Mini College
Sponsored by OSU Extension Service Master Gardener program and Oregon Master Gardener Association
August 5-8
Oregon State University/Corvallis
The theme this year is “Backyard Food Solutions: Local, Sustainable, Secure”. Topics include cover crops, compost, mulch methods, small space gardening, basic pruning fertilizers and discussion on home winemaking, growing healthy kids, permaculture design, preserving produce, backyard chickens, and more.
Fee; $245 until July 15. Includes all classes, three nights lodging, and all meals. More information; contact Patty Driscoll; 541/737-3439.