Front Range Garden Class Resources - 2017

In my experiences New Year's resolutions are rarely kept, at least for the long term - not that a person shouldn't give it a go. This year I'm going to try very hard to keep thrips away from the tomatoes. In truth a more attainable pursuit might be inventing a new fangled dandelion picker. No, that's already out there - a straight edged screw driver. For all of us, a new garden year means a fresh start, a clean palette to dream, design and do. Resolve to sign up for some classes or workshops and get the brain energized and filled with the right stuff. Happy New Garden Year 2017, let's enjoy it together!

Denver and the Front Range is very fortunate in having many free or low cost outlets for garden classes and seminars. Below is a list with links for ones that I know of right now. The first group - seminars, workshops and conferences charge fees, unless otherwise noted. Public and botanic gardens also charge for classes. Garden center classes are often free so check their websites for more information. Also consider attending or joining a garden society, group or club. You will meet other friendly people. Most meet monthly, have low cost dues and offer educational seminars, garden tours and trips, plant sales and judged shows through the year. Obviously if you don't reside in this area, check out what's offered in your neck of the woods. Please check back often for updates to the lists.

Denver Rose Society Educational SymROSEium

SEMINARS, CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL PLANT SALES:

Native Plant Master Program - in 2017

Cottage Food Safety Training - Dates and locations for March, April and May 

Adams County Extension Spring Vegetable Gardening Classes, 2017 Brighton

Backyard Compost Colorado Beginning April through early May, locations along the Front Range 

Wild West Gardening Conference, April 22, 23, 2017 Laramie, WY

Colorado Dahlia Society Tuber Sale, April 22, 2017 Denver 

Vegetable Gardening Seminar April 25, 2017 Colorado Springs 

Basic Botany April 27, 2017 Golden

NYFC Water Bootcamp and Western's Farm to Table Conference 
March 30, Gunnison
  
Harvesting Rainwater Make and Take a Rain Barrel, May 13, 2017 Colorado Springs

Wildflowers of Green Mountain May 14, 2017 Lakewood

Basic Botany May 16, 2017 Golden

Colorado Plant Families May 18, 2017 Golden 

Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival May 19-21, Colorado Springs

Painting the Native Landscape May 24, 2017 Evergreen

Four Corners Horticulture Conference, June 8-10, 2017 Durango

Discover Colorado Wildflowers at Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve June 18, 2017 Golden 

Native Plant Master Course on Wetland/Riparian Plants June 19 to August 7, 2017 (3 outdoor field sessions) Littleton

Plant Field Sketching Class June 27 and 28, 2017 Golden

DIY Native Plant Landscaping Installation June 30, 2017 Littleton

Discover Native Shrubs for your Landscape July 21,2 017 Littleton  

Wetland/Riparian Plants of the Front Range July 24, 2017 Littleton 

Discovery Tour of Spain, November 26-December 8, 2017 through the extension office of Pueblo County 

PUBLIC GARDEN INSTITUTIONS AND BOTANIC GARDENS:
 
Butterfly Pavilion Westminster

Denver Botanic Gardens
 
The Gardens on Spring Creek  Ft. Collins

Growing Gardens Boulder 

The Hudson Gardens  Littleton

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens Colorado Springs

AREA GARDEN CENTERS:  too numerous to mention, so call around or check their websites or Facebook for their 2017 classes.

GARDEN SOCIETIES AND GARDEN RELATED GROUPS:
 
Colorado Cactus and Succulent Society
Colorado Native Plant Society
Colorado Water Garden Society
Denver Field Ornithologists
Denver Orchid Society
Denver Rose Society
Front Range Organic Gardeners
Ikebana Denver Chapter
Rocky Mountain African Violet Council
Rocky Mountain Chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society 
Rocky Mountain Koi Club
Rocky Mountain Unit of The Herb Society of America