January Duke Gardens events

Welcome to the new year! Below are our January classes and tours. We hope to see you this month at the Gardens. You can e-mail aleduc@duke.edu or call 668-1707 for information or to register.

Here's our full January-June brochure. And don't forget to take a look at our fantastic Feb. 20 2010 Spring Gardening Symposium: Your Natural Garden.

Jan. 7, 11 a.m.-noon
Walk on the Wild Side

Explore wild North Carolina in the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. Join curator Stefan Bloodworth to see which plants are in bloom, learn strategies to design with native plants and discuss regional ecology and global environmental issues affecting native ecosystems, and your role in protecting the health of our home planet. $5; free for Gardens Friends. Registration required.

Sunday, Jan. 10, 2-4 p.m.
Bring Your Own Vegetable Garden to Life

For tips on garden planning, deciphering seed catalogs, starting seeds, creating raised beds, composting, organic backyard farming and more, join Durham County master gardeners Charles Murphy and Darcey Martin. Free (registration required).

Thursdays, Jan. 14, 21, 28, 1-4 p.m.
Digital Photography: Understanding Camera, Computer & Photo Editing

Learn from photographer Jennifer Weinberg how to operate your camera, including ISO settings, white balance, and loading, editing and organizing jpgs on computer. Class will also cover basic photography techniques like composition and framing. Bring your camera and manual to each session. $80; $65 Gardens Friends.

Thurs., Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, March 4, 11, 18, 9-10:30 a.m.

Plant Propagation

Select your favorite plants and learn a step-by-step process to raise them from seed or cuttings and then plant in your own garden. Here is your chance to learn some propagation techniques through hands–on experience with expert guidance from Duke Gardens staff. $95; $75 Gardens Friends.

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2-4 p.m.
Italian Gardens: Contrasting Classical and Contemporary Garden Style

Spend an afternoon in armchair travel as we visit gardens across Italy. College professor Greg Pierceall has been making a special study of Italian gardens, touring each summer with landscape architecture students. Join us for a review of how classical techniques and design strategies are reinterpreted to serve contemporary garden goals. Take home a refreshed view of strategies to use in your own garden. $15; $10 Gardens Friends.

Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 18-20, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Landscape Design Workshop

Refine and refresh your landscape design skills in this three-day intensive workshop. College professor Greg Pierceall will focus on design techniques and strategies and then work with you on graphic presentation skills. The workshop will be run as a studio, with quick intensive design challenges, in-class critiques and an energetic pace that fosters exploration and discovery. $215; $175 Gardens Friends.

Friday and Monday, Jan. 22 and 25, noon-5 p.m.
Photoshop for the Nature Photographer

Photographer Paul Salazar will teach how to configure Photoshop, using camera raw image processing, making selections and masking, darkroom effects, filters and color management, and other useful Photoshop features. Class will meet in a computer lab setting. $120; $85 Gardens Friends.

Also, registration for our Nature Adventures Camp in June is open now, and we're seeking vendors for the April 24 Plant & Craft Festival.