Lake Avenue Farm Series, 4 Classes The GEC is excited to be partnering with Lake Avenue Farm to provide a very unique horticultural experience. This is an opportunity for a limited number of participants to work with Alan Gorkin on location at the new greenhouse on Lake Avenue for the first two classes and with Alan and our own Lisa Beebe at the GEC for the second two classes. Alan Gorkin is the horticulturist at Lake Avenue Farm in Greenwich, a private estate, and oversees the maintenance of 15 acres of vegetable, ornamental and greenhouse areas. This is an opportunity not to be missed! Monday April 2, Monday, April 16, Wednesday, May 9 & Wednesday, June 20. Class #1: Propagating your own Seedlings ~ Monday, April 2 ~ 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Lake Avenue Farm - 668 Lake Avenue, Greenwich *Materials fee for this class is $7.50 Learn the basics of choosing soil media, containers, sowing techniques and aftercare. A tour of their extensive vegetable garden will follow, with pointers on Spring garden chores. A varied selection of vegetables to choose from, and materials will be left in the greenhouse to be transplanted at the next class with Alan Gorkin at Lake Avenue Farm, Greenwich, CT. Class #2: Growing your Own Vegetable and Flower Transplants. Monday, April 16 ~ 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. at Lake Avenue Farm, 668 Lake Avenue, Greenwich *Materials fee for this class $7.50 Learn from the best! The correct way to transplant your seedlings, and the best treatments to keep them alive will be discussed with experts Alan Gorkin and Lisa Beebe. Hardening off, use of cold frames, soil media, watering, fertilization and containers will be discussed. Participants will be able to take their seedlings home after the class. There will be a tour of the vegetable garden after the indoor session to discuss and view planting and soil preparation techniques. *Materials fee includes soil and appropriate containers. Class #3: Planning and Planting the Spring Garden Wednesday, May 9 ~ 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the GEC Having a simple plan for your Spring garden will save you time and headaches later. Alan and Lisa will discuss and show how to plant intensively to satisfy your vegetable needs as well as reduce weed issues. They will demonstrate quick cropping, succession and rotation crops for small gardens.Please bring a standard garden trowel for this hands-on program at the GEC. Class #4:Planning Your Fall Vegetable Garden Wednesday, June 20th ~10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. at the GEC Don’t be left out in the cold come Fall. This class will show you how to have a fall crop garden such as carrots, beets, broccoli and all types of greens. Alan and Lisa will discuss the best dates to sow and start a productive Fall garden that lasts well into November. Tips for cover cropping to improve your soil and reduce weed competition will be discussed and shown, as well as crop succession, and season extension.

Floral Occasions with George 2nd in Series Wednesday, April 4 - 7:00 p.m. Must register by April 1. Looking forward to spring, create a beautiful spring display of cut bulbs and greens for Easter.

An Apple a Day with Amy Merrick Thursday, April 5 10:00 a.m. ~ Lecture Noon ~ Lunch 1:00 p.m. ~ Workshop NOTE: Register by Tuesday, April 3 to participate in the workshop. A lecture from New York florist, Amy Merrick, whose freshly-gathered, organic style is in demand. Amy’s floral lecture will focus on texture and movement inspired by how flowers grow in the garden. A workshop will be taught using all of the bounty that early spring has to offer- flowering branches, ranunculus, tulips, hellebores and a variety of other bulb flowers. Students will arrange their own spring centerpieces under Amy’s eye and will leave with Japanese floral shears to take home as a gift. Visit Amy's website to see more of her works, amymerrick.com.Workshop limit 20

Dahlia Potting Workshop Monday, April 9 ~ 10:00 a.m. Always a sell-out with pre-registration essential! Come join us in the Horticultural Building for a hands-on lesson on getting tubers started with expert help from Steve Nowotarski, of the American Dahlia Society and the recipient of many awards for hybridized new dahlias and show-stopping blooms. You will be provided with five high quality named tubers, soil and flats to produce gorgeous blooms that will flower from July through October.

A Walk Back in Time at the Montgomery Pinetum Thursday, April 12 ~ 10:30 a.m. Join Lisa Beebe, GEC Director of Horticulture, as you look at how the landscape has changed over the past 75 years. We will look at how the landscape has changed by comparing photos and history of the majestic “Wild Acres Estate” with the beauty of what has become the Montgomery Pinetum.Wear comfortable shoes and come dressed for the weather.

Trip to Stonecrop Gardens, Cold Spring,NY Wednesday, April 25 Depart: 9:00 a.m. - Return: 5:00 p.m. We will enjoy a privately guided tour of over 12 acres of display gardens, including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, alpine stone beds and an enclosed English–style garden. This is the original home of Anne and Frank Cabot. Lunch is included at Cathryn’s Tuscan Grill in downtown Cold Spring, NY. Rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes.

Robin T. Williams Lecture Monday, April 30 ~ 10:00 a.m. Robin T. Williams is one of Britain's leading garden designers with over 30 years experience in the garden design and landscaping industry. Robin's designs have won him a clutch of medals including Gold at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Robin is also co-founder and joint principal of one of the UK's most successful independent garden design colleges, Garden Design School. Visit his website Robin Williams & Associates to see more of his works. A light lunch will be served following the lecture.

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