East Coast Garden Center summer classes to start June 17

East Coast Garden Center announced its summer 2021 classes will be held in person from 9 to 10 a.m., beginning Thursday, June 17. Offerings run through Saturday, Aug. 28. Each class is $10 unless otherwise noted.

To sign up, go to eastcoastgardencenter.com or call 302-945-3489 and pay with a credit card.

Each class is an independent, stand-alone offering, and customers may sign up for as many as they like. Classes cover a wide range of topics and are suitable for diverse levels of gardening expertise. Each one-hour class will include presentations and examples for hands-on plant familiarization. This format is designed to amplify the presentation portion of each class by showing customers specific plants and varieties.

Tropicals class will be offered at 9 a.m., Thursday, June 17 and Saturday, June 19. The lecture covers the basics of selecting and caring for tropical plants. Varieties featured include hibiscus, dipladenia, mandevilla, ferns, palms, bananas and crotons. Summer care will focus on watering, fertilization, sun exposure and potting in containers. Attendees also will learn about winter care where appropriate.

Water gardening is set for 9 a.m., Thursday, June 24 and Saturday, June 26. In this lecture-demonstration class, participants will learn about the containers and plants necessary for creating a successful water garden. Different sizes of containers suitable to a deck, patio or home landscape environment will be shown. The class also will focus on the many plant options available for creating a water garden.

Gardening with natives will be offered at 9 a.m., Thursday, July 1 and Saturday, July 3. The class will explore the value of native plants and how to easily incorporate them in a landscape. Attendees will be guided through the center’s selections of native trees, shrubs and perennials that can help to create biological diversity in a garden.

Color in the garden will be offered at 9 a.m., Thursday, July 8 and Saturday, July 10. Participants will learn how to use plants to create different combinations of colors and textures. No matter how big or small a project, using a creative palette can add new dimensions to the landscape.

Edibles class is set for 9 a.m., Thursday, July 15 and Saturday, July 17. It is an introduction to companion planting theory and raised-bed gardening. The class will review sample layouts to include both cool- and warm-season crops and companions. Instructors also will provide an introduction to permaculture planting and its ecological importance.

Cool-season vegetable container gardening class will be held at 9 a.m., Thursday, July 22 and Saturday, July 24. Participants will learn how to use containers to have home-grown, hand-picked, freshly harvested salad greens and flavorful heirloom tomatoes. Pots, window boxes and hanging baskets all can be used for successful vegetable growing.

Pest and disease management will be offered at 9 a.m., Thursday, July 29 and Saturday, July 31. Attendees will learn how to use different types of pest and disease controls, from hand-picking the pest off to using synthetic pesticides in a sensible and sustainable manner.

A seasonal make and take will be offered at 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 5 and Saturday, Aug. 7. Attendees will learn the basics of container planting and become familiar with seasonal flower choices and ideas to update decks, patios and landscapes. Participants will bring home their own personalized container garden. The cost is $25 to cover materials.

A succulents class is set for 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 12 and Saturday, Aug. 14. This demonstration lecture will familiarize attendees with the use of succulents in containers. The cost  is $20, which includes instruction and a succulent kit to use to start a container at home. 

Propagation class will be offered at 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 28. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of plant propagation and learn about plant selection, cutting, planting and care. Varying plant types and techniques will be demonstrated.