[Columbia, SC] - This spring, Riverbanks and Clemson Extension have teamed up to offer a wide range of gardening workshops for garden enthusiasts. Aside from the usual variety of hands-on art and gardening topics, Riverbanks is offering a new Growing Garden Series.

All classes are taught by experienced Riverbanks horticulturists and Clemson Extension staff, and participants receive informative handouts and tokens related to the topic at hand. The Growing Garden series consists of seven classes designed to provide essential information on beginning and developing a garden. The series fee is $75 for Riverbanks members and $105 for the general public; or classes can be taken individually for a fee of $21 (Riverbanks members pay only $15). Call (803) 779-8717 to register or visit www.riverbanks.org for a complete list of all gardening classes offered throughout the spring.

Soils: The Foundation of Successful Gardening (Growing Garden Class #1)
Saturday, February 10; 10am to noon
One of the secrets to gardening success is improving your soil. This is a valuable session for the gardener who wants to understand the basics of soils, including the issues of fertilizers, pH, and soil amendments. Composting and the proper use of mulch are also discussed. If you are serious about gardening, this class is a must!

Orchids
Saturday, February 17; 10am to noon
This introductory class will cover basic orchid care, planting mediums and different orchids available on the market. Learning how to grow these delicate beauties will take all the mystery and intimidation out of having orchids in your home.

Soul Gardening
Thursday, February 22; 7pm to 9pm
Come and be inspired as South Carolina horticulturist Jenks Farmer shares the concept of “soul gardening,” gardening from the heart. Jenks, curator of farm and garden for Moore Farms, national garden writer and speaker, and former curator of Riverbanks Botanical Garden illustrates his poetic planting philosophy, “I like gardens that reveal the gardener, show me their heart and taste and lust. The most important thing about them is the abundance of plants. Green, purple, chartreuse and tie-dye leaves dominate the space and obsession of the gardener. Flowers, fruits and vines might have been salvaged from dump or ordered from connoisseur nurseries. Plants trump design, entangle art, tools, benches, steps, and ‘proper’ horticultural practices. In these soulful gardens, there are traces of everyday life, and artists and collectors let their obsessions merge with plants.”  Following the presentation, watch a demonstration of how to make fun garden art. Funky art and plants will be sold as well.

Foundation Planting Design
Saturday, February 24; 10am to noon
Do you live in an older home with an outdated foundation planting? Or in a newer home that needs identity and style? Whether old or new, many homes have foundation plantings that need revamping. Learn the principles of good foundation design to improve the curb appeal and value of your home.

Shrubs for All Seasons (Growing Garden class # 2)
Saturday March 3; 10am to noon
Discover a palette of shrubs that will reward you not only with beautiful flowers but also varied habits, attractive foliage and fall color. Learn how to properly site, maintain and maximize the attributes of some relatively common shrubs in the landscape, such as barberry, loropetalum, spirea and others.

Foundation Planting Design
Thursday, March 8; 10am to noon
Do you live in an older home with an outdated foundation planting? Or in a newer home that needs identity and style? Whether old or new, many homes have foundation plantings that need revamping. Learn the principles of good foundation design to improve the curb appeal and value of your home.

Tool Care with Ted
Saturday March 10; 10am to noon
A gardener is only as good as his tools. Discover how a sharp tool makes your gardening tasks more efficient! Join Ted Williams with Clemson Extension, and learn which tools are essential for the basic tool shed and how to select, use, and maintain them for optimum performance.

Pruning Principles (Growing Garden Class #3)
Saturday, March 17; 10am to noon
Learning the correct technique for pruning is the key to maintaining healthy plants. Principles of pruning, using proper tools, techniques of pruning trees and shrubs, and the best time to prune both evergreen and deciduous plants are addressed in this session. Examples of good tools for pruning are also displayed.

Distinctive Annuals
Saturday, March 24; 10am to 11am
While perennials last year after year, annuals can really add a little extra punch to your garden.  Their long-lasting color is great to brighten up a corner during transitional times or to accent a patio or walkway. Learn about the worthy annuals for your garden and containers.                 

Getting Started with Perennials (Growing Garden Class # 4)
Saturday, March 31; 10am to noon
Learn how to choose the right perennial for the right garden location and how to combine different perennials to create a lovely and interesting garden that blooms throughout the growing season. We will discuss pruning and pinching techniques deadheading, and dividing, as well as other cultural methods to help you keep your garden growing healthy and strong. Time is allotted to discuss any unique situations you may have encountered in your perennial garden, so come ready with your questions.

The ABCs of Landscape Trees (Growing Garden Class # 5)
Saturday, April 21; 10am to noon
We will discuss planting, pruning, fertilizing and mulching considerations, plus inspecting trees for insects and diseases.

Basic Lawn Care (Growing Garden class #6 option A)
Saturday, May 5; 10am to noon
Learn the basics of lawn care. Using a holistic turf management approach as a model, we will focus on ways to lessen pesticide use. Topics will include turf culture, mowing, aerating, watering, fertilizing and weeding, and insect and disease control.

Herbs (Growing Garden class #6 option B)
Saturday, May 5; 10am to noon
Having a kitchen garden is easy! By learning which herbs grow best in South Carolina, their cultural requirements, and how to use them; you can have a fabulous herb garden in no time. This is a must for anyone who has ever enjoyed the taste and smell of fresh herbs.

Keeping Your Garden Healthy (Growing Garden class # 7)
Saturday May 12; 10am to noon
Acquaint yourself with environmentally friendly ways of keeping your garden free of pests and disease. Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic approach for managing pests, including insects and related animals, diseases, and weeds. We will discuss the proper methods for growing healthy plants, including turf, trees, shrubs, annuals, and perennials during this session.