Sign up now to learn about mosaic, terrariums, succulents and more
This cute little mushroom features a mosaic cap. Learn to make this garden decor in a Secret Garden class on July 14. Courtesy The Secret Garden
Here’s a cool idea to think about when it’s 100-plus outside: Doing garden stuff indoors.
The Secret Garden in Elk Grove is now accepting reservations for its summer workshops, ranging from watercolors and mosaics to terrariums and succulent centerpieces.
Satisfy your gardening and/or creative bug while learning new skills (and escaping the heat).
Seating is limited; register now for these classes in July and August. Class fee includes instruction, materials and plants (if applicable).
2 p.m. July 13 – Summer Sunflower Watercolor Workshop: Channel your inner van Gogh in this 90-minute painting class using gouache. “Gouache, otherwise known as opaque watercolor, has a history dating back 60 years,” say the organizers. “This is a great introduction to watercolor as gouache tends to be quick-drying, cleans up easily and is perfect for beginners.” Learn by painting an 8-by-10-inch canvas of sunflowers. Fee: $45.
10:30 a.m. July 14 – Mosaic Mushroom Workshop: Make a magic mushroom for your garden in this two-hour mosaic class. Two sizes and styles to choose from; fees are $80 or $85, depending on the style.
11 a.m. Aug. 4 – Plant Lady Succulent Garden Workshop: Create a living centerpiece while learning about succulents. “We will chat all things succulent care, arrangement design tips, soil choice, watering and more,” say the organizers. “Each attendee will create a beautiful outdoor succulent arrangement using a 12-inch terracotta bowl, ceramic plant lady (three colors to choose from) and a selection of succulents and decorative rock.” Fee: $70.
11 a.m. Aug. 18 – Water Lily Mosaic Workshop: Capture a cool water lily in tile. “Discover the art of mosaic tile in our upcoming beginner mosaic workshop,” say the organizers. “Unleash your creativity as we guide you through the fundamentals of this ancient craft. Join Jasmine in the craft room for a fun introduction to the art of tile mosaic where you will create this 6-by-6-inch decorative tile using glazed ceramic mosaic pieces. Finished product is suitable for display inside or out.” Fee: $65.
11 a.m. Aug. 25 – Desert Terrarium Workshop: Envision a sandy landscape under glass. “Join us in the craft room to create a beautiful piece of living art! We will cover the history of terrariums and plant an 8-inch open terrarium with a selection of succulents and cacti.” Fee: $55.
The Secret Garden is located at 8450 W. Stockton Blvd., Elk Grove.
To register for any of these classes, go to https://www.secretgarden-online.com/.
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Garden Checklist for week of Nov. 3
November still offers good weather for fall planting:
* If you haven't already, it's time to clean up the remains of summer. Pull faded annuals and vegetables. Prune dead or broken branches from trees.
* Now is the best time to plant most trees and shrubs. This gives them plenty of time for root development before spring growth. They also benefit from fall and winter rains.
* Set out cool-weather annuals such as pansies and snapdragons.
* Lettuce, cabbage and broccoli also can be planted now.
* Plant garlic and onions.
* Keep planting bulbs to spread out your spring bloom. Some possible suggestions: daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, tulips, anemones and scillas.
* This is also a good time to seed wildflowers and plant such spring bloomers as sweet pea, sweet alyssum and bachelor buttons.
* Rake and compost leaves, but dispose of any diseased plant material. For example, if peach and nectarine trees showed signs of leaf curl this year, clean up under trees and dispose of those leaves instead of composting.
* Save dry stalks and seedpods from poppies and coneflowers for fall bouquets and holiday decorating.
* For holiday blooms indoors, plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs now. Fill a shallow bowl or dish with 2 inches of rocks or pebbles. Place bulbs in the dish with the root end nestled in the rocks. Add water until it just touches the bottom of the bulbs. Place the dish in a sunny window. Add water as needed.
* Give your azaleas, gardenias and camellias a boost with chelated iron.
* For larger blooms, pinch off some camellia buds.
* Prune non-flowering trees and shrubs while dormant.
* To help prevent leaf curl, apply a copper fungicide spray to peach and nectarine trees after they lose their leaves this month. Leaf curl, which shows up in the spring, is caused by a fungus that winters as spores on the limbs and around the tree in fallen leaves. Sprays are most effective now.