Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Hungry for Gardening Knowledge?

School of the Chicago Botanic Garden Offers
Program for Midwest Home Gardeners

 

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 6, 2008)—The Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden offers a certificate of merit program in Midwest gardening for those who are new to gardening or would like to improve their gardening skills.

The practical, learner-friendly training program is continuously updated to include current information and practical tips for growing a wide variety of plants. Coursework also includes the basics of home garden design, plant propagation, lawn care, the peculiarities of the region’s soils, climate, pests, diseases and gardening heritage.

“Anyone wanting to become a more successful home gardener will enjoy the Midwest Gardening Certificate of Merit Program,” said Julia Zanieski, coordinator, continuing education, Chicago Botanic Garden.

Nine required courses are offered on a rotating basis over a two-year period. Those able to take all courses when offered can complete the certificate in just two years. Courses can be taken in any order, but the School strongly recommends taking “Botany 1,” and “Introduction to Midwest Gardening” (to be offered in Autumn 2009), at the first opportunity.

Required courses being offered this winter and spring include:

· “Plant Propagation” -- Six Wednesdays, January 21 through March 4, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and five Saturdays, January 24 through February 28 (no sessions February 4 & 7), 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $288. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $229. Class is in Annex 2.

· “Botany 1” – Six Mondays, March 2 through April 6 and six Wednesdays, March 4 through April 8, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or six Mondays, March 2 through April 6 and six Wednesdays, March 4 through April 8, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $337. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $269. Class is in the Plant Science Lab in the Regenstein Center.

· “Basic Landscape Principles” – Six Mondays, March 9 through April 13, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $188. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $149. Class is in the Design Studio.

· “Understanding Soils” – Five Wednesdays, April 22 through May 20, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and four Saturdays, April 25 through May 16, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Cost is $249. Chicago Botanic Garden members pay $199.

A grade of at least 70 percent must be earned for each course to obtain a certificate. All courses must be completed within five years of the start date. Candidates can prove proficiency for up to 20 percent of the coursework by passing proficiency exams or providing college transcripts indicating grades of at least 70 percent for similar courses.

For more information about certificate programs, visit the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Web site at www.chicagobotanic.org/certificate. Or, contact Julia Zanieski at (847) 835-8246 or at jzanieski@chicagobotanic.org.

Parking is free for program registrants. For information on professional development opportunities, request a School catalog by calling (847) 835-8261, or visit the Chicago Botanic Garden website at www.chicagobotanic.org/school.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.