African violets can add a splash of color to a cold, gray winter. Pick some up at Olbrich, Oct. 11-12.
Native by Design: "Gardening for a Sustainable Future," annual conference. Sept. 21, 8:45 am-4:30 pm, UW Arboretum Visitor Center; keynote address by Doug Tallamy, professor and chair, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, and author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. $60/$54. Register by 9/15: 608-263-7888; uwarboretum.org.
Focus on Energy Lighting Demo: Sept. 20 & 21, 10 am-2 pm at Costco-Sun Prairie, 2846 Hoepker Rd.
Focus on Energy Lighting Demo: Sept. 27, 10 am-2 pm, Menards, 430 Commerce Dr.
Focus on Energy Lighting Demo: Oct. 3 & 4, 10 am-2 pm at Costco-Middleton, 1756 Pleasant View Rd.
First-Time Home Buyer Seminar: The overall process, different loan options and pre-approval are covered in this free class. Oct. 14, 6:30 pm, UW Credit Union, 3500 University Ave.
Focus on Energy Lighting Demo: 10 am-2 pm, Oct. 18, at Menards, 2102 E Springs Dr.
Lake Home and Cabin Show: How-to seminars, products and services. Alliant Energy Center, Jan. 23-25, 2015. $10.
Midwest Garden Expo: Alliant Energy Center, Feb. 13-15, 2015. wigardenexpo.com One-day, two-day and three-day tickets are $7 (advance)/$8(door), $11/$12 and $16/$17.
MABA Dream Home Showcase: For those building or remodeling. Alliant Energy Center, March 6-8, 2015.
Classes at Project Home
Free classes are held at the Project Home office, 1966 S. Stoughton Rd. (between Buckeye and Pflaum roads). Classes are taught by Project Home staff and skilled professionals who volunteer their time. Preregister by phone or email: 608-246-3737 or michellek@projecthomewi.org.
First-Time Homebuyer's Series: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Sat., Sept. 27, 8:30 am-4:30 p.m.; Oct. 14 & 21 (must attend both classes) and Nov. 11 & 18, 6-9:30 pm, free.
Attics, Basements and Crawl Spaces: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Oct. 29, 6:30-8 pm.
General Heating System Maintenance: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Nov. 12, 6:30-8 pm.
Basic Household Plumbing: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Dec. 10, 6:30-8 pm.
Saving Energy in Your Home: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Jan. 7, 2015, 6:30-8 pm.
Common Bathroom Repairs and Replacements: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Jan. 21, 2015, 6:30-8 pm.
Basic Household Plumbing: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Feb. 4, 2015, 6:30-8 pm.
Water and Mold Class: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., Feb. 18, 2015, 6:30-8 pm.
Basic Home Maintenance: Project Home, 1922 S. Stoughton Rd., March 4, 2015, 6:30-8 pm.
Events at Olbrich
Talks, walks, classes and garden sales take place at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave.; many classes require preregistration usually a week in advance of the session. See Olbrich.org for full descriptions/registration instructions, or call 608-246-4550 to register or for more information. Fees listed are member/non-member rates.
Forest Gardens: Low-maintenance, sustainable forest gardening. Sept. 16, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Bulk Mulch Sale: Shredded, composted leaves enrich soil and provide nourishment and protection for your gardens, shrubs and trees. Bring your own truck or trailer and Olbrich will load bulk scoops for you; $40/scoop plus tax, covers about 350-square feet at a 2- to 3-inch depth. Sept. 20, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, 9 am-1 pm.
The Zero Energy House Workshop: Alternative energies and sustainable tech for the home, retro-fitting and new design, with Jon Passi. Sept. 21, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, $100/$80.
Putting Your Garden to Bed: Overwintering, pruning, mulching and more. Sept. 23, 5:30 pm, $15/$12.
Maximizing the Winter Landscape: Adding winter interest to the garden, with Mark Dwyer. Oct. 1, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
All About Plant Guilds in Permaculture: How certain plants support certain trees, build soil and hold water, with Kate Heiber-Cobb. Oct. 2, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Restoring Your Woodland to Health: Bring birds and butterflies to your forest instead of garlic mustard and buckthorn, with Frank Hassler. Oct. 7, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Landscape & Architectural Lighting Design: Advancements in LED: With Drew Tedford; talk and night walk. Oct. 8, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Underutilized Woody Plants for Wisconsin Landscapes, Part II: Cultivars of woody plants that offer unique advantages. Oct. 9, 6:30, $15/$12.
African Violet Show/Sale: African violets and related plants on exhibit and for sale. Oct. 11, noon-5 pm; and Oct. 12, 10 am-4 pm.
Garden Design for Plantaholics: Remodeling your garden into a functional space and showcase plants. Oct. 14, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Great Plants for the Autumn Garden Walk: Adding autumn interest to the garden. Oct. 22, 5 pm, $15/$12.
Inspirations from European Gardens: Latest trends in European gardening. Oct. 23, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Decorative Winter Container Workshop: Create one using plant materials from Olbrich's gardens. All supplies provided. Nov. 5, 6:30 pm, $73/$59.
Holiday Bulbs Workshop: Forcing bulbs like amaryllis and paperwhites. Nov. 6, 6:30 pm, $55/$44.
Permaculture Systems Designed Gardens: Basics of permaculture design, with Kate Heiber-Cobb. Olbrich Gardens, Nov. 6, 6:30 pm, $15/$12.
Create Globe Ice Lantern Centerpieces for the Holidays: Ice lanterns and other winter luminaries, with Jennifer Hedberg. Nov. 10, 6:30 pm, $48.
Growing Super Fruits in Wisconsin: Planting healthy superfruits like aronia in your own yard. Nov. 22, 1 pm, $19/$15.
