April Garden Calendar

Posted by talkdirt

Posted: March 30, 2008 - 5:04 pm

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Sure sign of spring: a daffodil bud on the south side of a building on the UAA campus. Fran Durner/ADN

Society of American Foresters tree seedling order forms are ready now. Seedlings will be in bundles of 20 of a single species at $20/bundle. Order from now up to May 1st with the distribution of seedlings in the REI parking lot Spenard and Northern Lights on May 10th. For more info contact Roger Burnside, reburnsi@gci.net or 269-8460. The 4 bundled species available will be: Lodgepole Pine, Siberian Larch, Colorado Blue Spruce, White Spruce. Make an order with friends for some great trees.

April 2, 9 &12: Garden Design Workshop in observance of National Landscape Architecture Month. This workshop, sponsored by The Alaska Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, is an opportunity for homeowners to learn about landscape design as well as innovative design elements and then create a design for their home, cottage or cabin. Alaska's leading landscape architects will provide two evenings of classroom instruction, April 2 & 9, 6:30-8:30pm and a two hour Saturday workshop, April 12, all at the BP Energy Center. During the workshop, each homeowner will be teamed with a designer to develop landscape plans for their yard. Cost for the classes and workshop is $225. Please call 279-2688 for more information, or email: ehuggins@earthscape.alaska.com

April 4: Look inside the ADN on Friday for an application to fill out and mail in for the annual Anchorage TREEmendous tree give away. This year you may choose from a Flowering Ornamental Crabapple, Canada Red Cherry, Edible Crabapple, Edible Apple or Lilac. The tree/shrub adoption will be at ConocoPhillips on May 17th.

April 4: Patricia Joyner, Alaska Division of Forestry Coordinator, will lead a Tree Identification Snowshoe Tour along the Alaska Botanical Garden perimeter from 1-3 pm. The tour will weave in and out of the garden. Meet in the Benny Benson School parking lot, 4601 Campbell Airstrip Road. Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking (AMH) will loan snowshoes to anyone who needs them. Call to arrange, 272-1811. Free, everyone is welcome. No Dogs please.

April 5: 10 am. Alaska presents both advantages and challenges for organic gardeners. Learn about tried and true vegetable selections, organic fertilizers, soil preparation and pests you are likely to encounter in this whirlwind basic vegetable gardening class from Julie Riley. Held at Alaska Mill & Feed, 1301 E 1st Avenue. Free, call 276-6016 to register.

April 6: 1pm-4:30pm. Nature Journaling Workshop. ($20 fee, registration required) Naturalist and writer Giselle Bergeron teaches this spring session of a 4-part series on keeping a nature journal through the seasons, stressing observation skills to learn about the natural world we live in. Both writing and sketching will be encouraged, but no prior art experience is needed. Bring blank journal, writing utensils, snack, and wear comfortable shoes and clothing. Workshop will be held indoors and outdoors. Remaining workshop sessions are held June 8, September 7, and December 7, 2008. Any of the classes may be taken by themselves, or as a series ($20 per session, or $60 for all 4 sessions). Limited to 12 participants, ages 16 and up. Eagle River Nature Center. Register by calling 694-2108.

April 8: 7:00 p.m. Hosted by the Alaska Society of Outdoor and Nature Photography. Carl Johnson will discuss challenges he faced and values he contemplated during his recent trip as Artist-in-Residence for Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve. Carl will share practical tips on gear and technology issues faced during extended backcountry wilderness photography trips, along with his reflections on philosophical compatibility and conflict between the business of nature photography and the simple act of enjoying a wilderness experience. At the Anchorage Museum.

April 12: Sears Mall Garden Day: When does spring truly begin in Anchorage? Not until the annual Mall at Sears Spring Garden Show! Garden club and association members will be at booths in the Mall from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m, to answer questions and help get you started at this free event. The Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, Alaska Master Gardeners and Anchorage Garden Club, are among the groups that will be present. The Alaska Orchid Society will have over 500 blooming orchids for sale - 3 for $50 or $20 each. Come early and fill up a shopping cart with the best selection!

April 12th: 10 am. Master gardener Lynden Groethe will give a presentation o­n composting in Alaska. Learn how to get a compost pile going and how to keep it active year round. Held at Alaska Mill & Feed, 1301 E 1st Avenue. Free, call 276-6016 to register.

April 15. Tree Care Safety, Assessing Tree Defects course. Two half-day programs sponsored by Alaska Community Forestry Program and Pacific Northwest International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) being held at BLM Training Room off Elmore Road. Morning program is on tree care safety and afternoon program on assessing tree defects. Registration is $100 for non ISA members for both programs or $60 each. Register before April 4th to avoid late fee. For more information contact Stephen Nickel at 269-8466 or stephen.nickel@alaska.gov

April 16: A Cultural & Historical Geography of Campbell Creek. 7 pm at the Campbell Creek Science Center, 6865 Elmore Road. The Campbell Creek that we live and work by today is incredibly different from the way it was just over 100 years ago when the Dena'ina took fish from its waters. Its form has been altered, wetlands have been filled, and much of the riparian areas are now developed. Come learn more about the changes that came with Anchorage's beginnings in 1915 to the present from Cherie Northon.

April 17th: Composting Jeff Smeenk is the instructor for this class held at the Cooperative Extension Service, 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd. 7-9 pm.The above class is free, but contact CES to register, 786-6300; or email: afjar@uaa.alaska.edu

April 19: North Root Big Lake Gardeners Spring Symposium, 9:30 am til 5:30 pm, Mid-Valley Senior Center, $20 in advance, $25 at the door (without pre-registration no seat guarantee.) Speakers, a silent auction and a luncheon will be served. Space is limited to 75 (fire code) so please call Linda Lockhart at 892-8119 to pre-register. Scheduled seminars include: "One Man's Garden" - Les Brake of Coyote Garden; "Wildflowers in the Garden" - Verna Pratt; "The Big Green" - Steve Brown of the Cooperative Extension Service; "Peonies for Fun & Profit" - Amy Pettit. "Feathers and Song, Birds in Your Backyard" - Dorthea Taylor; "Garden Art" - Carmen Summerfield; "Managing Your Digital Garden" - Linda Lockhart.

April 19: 10am. Learn basic gardening advice from local garden expert and master gardener Brenda Bissell. Brenda will be teaching a class for new and new to Alaska gardeners. Brenda has over 30 years gardening experience in Alaska and is a great source of information and advice. 11am. Dani Haviland of Chillout Roses will give a slide presentation and talk o­n growing roses in Alaska. Dani is 'wild' about roses and has lots of tips to share. Both classes held at Alaska Mill & Feed, 1301 E 1st Avenue. Free, call 276-6016 to register.

April 20: 2pm. CELEBRATING THE EARTH. Celebrate Earth Day by learning about soil and the hidden life in it. Indoor presentation, followed by a walk and a forest floor dig. Eagle River Nature Center. Free program, $5 parking for non-members.

April 22. EARTH DAY Celebrate all we have! Breathe easy and thank the trees.

April 23: Noon to 2 p.m. Composting Julie Riley is the instructor for a repeat of the class held April 17th. Held at the Cooperative Extension Service Conference room, #130, 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Noon - 2 pm. The above class is free, but contact CES to register, 786-6300; or email: afjar@uaa.alaska.edu

April 26: 11am. Herbs aren't just for culinary purposes. Learn other ways to incorporate herbs into the home and daily life. Beverly Sorrenson will share her knowledge of herbs both cultivated and native to Alaska. Held at Alaska Mill & Feed, 1301 E 1st Avenue. Free, call 276-6016 to register.

April 26, 7:30pm., The Alaska Rock Garden Society presents: "Plant Hunting on the Roof of the World (Tibet)," by visiting lecturer and plant explorer Harry Jans of the Netherlands. $10, Alaska Pacific University Grant Hall Lecture Room. Jans will present a lecture in Homer on Thursday, April 24 at 7pm at the Bidarka Inn, sponsored by the Homer Garden Club. And Jans will speak in the MatSu on Monday the 28th at 7 pm at the Fred and Sara Machatanz Bldg at Mat – Su College.

April 27: 2pm. Lori Trummer, forest plant pathologist with the U.S. Forest Service will lead a walk in the woods to identify fungi growing on the trees in the area and to discuss why, where and how fungi grow. She will also talk about how the discovery of the "Iceman" mummy has helped scientists unravel the story of ancient fungal use, as well as other natural phenomena. Eagle River Nature Center. Free program and parking today.

Garden Clubs and Associations Meetings

Alaska Native Plant Society: First Monday of each month at 7:30pm at the Campbell Creek Science Center in Anchorage. October - May. Open to the public.

Valley Garden Club: First Tuesday of each month at 10:30am at the Old Catholic Church on Bogard Road. A short business meeting and an education program followed by a potluck lunch. It is a great time to catch up on all the gardening events and happenings in the Valley. All are welcome.

North Root Big Lake Gardeners: First Tuesday, 6:30pm, at the Big Lake Library. Everyone welcome. Contact Linda Lockhart, 892-8119

Central Peninsula Garden Club: First Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Bldg., K-Beach Road. Everyone welcome. Contact Marion Nelson at mmkn@ptialaska.net

Anchorage Garden Club: First Thursday at 7:30pm at Pioneer School House basement, corner of Third Avenue and Eagle Street. April program will feature an African Violet potting clinic. Everyone is welcome.

CANWIN (Citizen's Against Noxious Weeds Invading the North): Second Thursday of the month, 3:30pm, at the BLM's Anchorage Field Office, 6881 Elmore Road. E-mail or call Lori Zaumseil at AKCANWIN@aol.com, or call 245-2373 for more details.

Wildflower Garden Club: Second Thursday at 10am at Central Lutheran Church, 15th Avenue and Cordova Street. September - April. April program - Mary Jo Burns will give a power point presentation on growing primulas in Alaska - which varieties do well, how and where to grow them successfully. Contact phone no. is 441-8736. Everyone welcome.

Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers: Second Thursday at 6:30pm in Anchorage at the BP Energy Center, Coop Ext Room. 907-745-2043

Alaska Master Gardeners: Third Monday at 7 pm at UAF Cooperative Extension Service, 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd. September - May. 786-6300. Open to the public.

Willow Garden Club: Third Thursday at 7pm, Willow Community Center. Everyone welcome.

Alaska Rock Garden Society: Third Saturday of the month at 2pm alternating between Anchorage and Palmer. September - March. (Anchorage contact, 522-3490; Wasilla contact, 1-907-357-2747)

Alaska Orchid Society: Fourth Tuesday at 7:30 at Central Lutheran Church at the corner of 15th Ave.and Cordova St. Show and tell of orchid plants. Free and open to public

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