Gardening - Organic Gardening, Container Gardening, Perennials, Bulbs, and Landscape Garden Design


Mushroom Walk with Mycologist, Zaac Chaves - scroll down!


Feng Shui Walk in Ridgefield - scroll down!


Gardening and Seasonal Wreaths - scroll down!


Feng Shui Walk


Feng Shui Walk in Ridgefield
Come follow the path of energy through Ridgefield. After learning the principles of feng shui - how chi flows, the power of opposites, yin/yang, and the alchemy of the five elements - Christine Persche, feng shui and design specialist, will lead a walk through the heart of town and see its applications everywhere. A good way to practice looking through a feng shui lens to help illuminate and bring balance to your own living and working spaces. Instructor Christine Persche is a design librarian, certified Feng Shui consultant, graduate of Pratt Institute, and LEED Accredited Professional. Weather date is 10/5.

1 Session $ 32 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 28)
Mon., 9/28 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Annex (the walk will start at the Annex after an introduction to the principlels of feng shui).


Mushroom Walk


Mushroom Walk with Mycologist, Zaac Chaves
Grab a notebook and join Zaac Chaves on a mycologically focused ecological tour in Ridgefield on Sunday, October 18 at 4 p.m. During this outing we will identify seasonal mushrooms. You will help us catalog species (including possibly rare sightings) and even help document increasing evidence of climate change locally. No experience required. Zaac Chaves works on species surveys for several sites and sometimes with organizations including Harvard University, the New York Botanical Gardens, and the National Parks Service. We have found several new species at many sites and are also helping recognize others which are rare and disappearing. He also serves as the chief editor of the Boston Mycological Club Bulletin, established in 1897.

1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25)
Sun., 10/18 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at a public park in Ridgefield. Directions to class location will be emailed on Thur., 10/15.


Gardening


Make Room for Natives: Sharing the Environment with Wildlife
There has been a lot of hype about “Natives ”in the past year or so.  Jackie Algon's class will explore what native plants are and why they are important. For beginning or fairly-new gardeners, we will start with the basics: getting your soil ready, removing invasive plants from your property, assessing what is already growing in your yard and what you can consider adding or deleting from it, the New Best Practices for gardening that will help make your garden more sustainable, resilient and functional not only for the aesthetics that please humans, but also for the support of wildlife and ecology. Instructor, Jackie Algon is an Advanced CT Master Gardener and Gardening Lecturer, a Board member of the Pollinator Pathway. She has taught many classes in the CT master Gardener program and an adult class at Norwalk Community College on topics related to natives, invasive species, and the Pollinator Pathway.

1 Session $ 32 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 28)
Wed., 9/30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.


Sleepy Time for Gardens: Putting Your Gardens to Bed This Autumn
Many gardeners in the past spent a lot of time in their gardens in the autumn, preparing them for over wintering. New Best Practices advise significant changes in the way we approach these tasks. If we follow these recommendations, we will save ourselves much effort while providing wildlife a restful winter during which they can complete his class will explore the reasons for the new methods from the bottom (roots and soil) up and from the top (canopy) down. We will consider planting options for the cool of autumn, including some specific shrubs, trees, and perennials, as well as ground covers and determine why layering our property is a healthful strategy for the environment. Instructor, Jackie Algon is an Advanced CT Master Gardener and Gardening Lecturer, a Board member of the Pollinator Pathway. She has taught many classes in the CT master Gardener program and an adult class at Norwalk Community College on topics related to natives, invasive species, and the Pollinator Pathway.

1 Session $ 32 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 28)
Wed., 10/14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.


Organic Vegetable Gardening and More . . .
How to grow organically a wide variety of vegetables, flowers, and other plants suitable for our climate. This 2 part course will cover everything you need to know about organic gardening - from creating gardens, purchasing seeds or plants, growing on, fertilizing, controlling pests. Instructor Eileen Burton, a long term gardening instructor, is a former Horticultural Manager for a large non-profit and currently manages a church garden that grows produce for Meals on Wheels.

2 Sessions $ 41 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 35)
Wed., coming in Spring 2027 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.


Holiday and Seasonal Wreath Decorating


Craft Your Own Seasonal Wreath
Welcome the new season with a beautiful, handcrafted wreath! In this 2-hour workshop, you'll get all supplies (flowers, greenery, ribbon) to decorate a wreath to take home. Perfect for all skill levels - just bring your creativity. Spaces are limited, sign up now! A supply fee of $19 - 21 will be collected at class. Class size limited.

Instructor Valerie Kirincich graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Illustration and the New York Academy of Art with a MFA in Figurative Fine Art. Upon graduation, she freelanced as an illustrator and worked for several Manhattan ad agencies as a graphic designer and art director. She is currently the full time art teacher at Greenwich Catholic School. Valerie believes that art is not only about technical skill, but about discovering a new way to see the world. She enjoys teaching and motivating students of all ages to learn and grow through art!

Fall Wreath
1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25) + $mtls.
Mon., 10/5 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.

Holiday Wreath
1 Session $ 29 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 25) + $mtls.
Mon., 12/7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.


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