Growing with Garden Bytes!

(photo by B. B. Platt)

Save the date(s)!

For the first time Ellen Spector Platt & Ellen Zachos are offering gardening classes in Manhattan. Between us we've written 13 books, hundreds of articles, and taught more than 50 certificate classes in gardening and floral design at both the NYBG and BBG. Join us for a line-up of hands-on workshops where you're guaranteed personal attention and a finished project to take home, not to mention groovy gardening goody bags.

Classes are centrally located at 22 E 30th Street (between Madison & Fifth) at the New York Open Center, convenient to the N, R, W, & 6 trains. Class size is limited and students will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis. Enrollment closes one week before class.

The early bird gets the discount! Students who enroll for all 3 classes by 2/28/11 receive a 20% discount: only $120 marked down from $150. Students enrolling for all three classes between 2/28/11 & 3/28/11 get 10% off. There are no discounts for individual classes.

Et voila les details:

Monday, 3/28/11 (6 - 8 pm)

Get a jump on Spring by starting seeds at home. Learn how to plant and nurture your seedlings as you experiment with germination, thinning, hardening off, and transplanting. Students plant 2 trays in class: a 36 cell Burpee Greenhouse Kit w/multiple seed types, and a recycled container w/Ball pelletized salad seed. Students also take home 5 packets of seed to plant on their own. ($39)

Tuesday 4/12/11 (6 - 8pm)

Herb gardens don't need much space: a small window box (indoors or out) can provide kitchen herbs for the avid cook, and nothing beats the freshness of home grown. Students plant a window box with herb plants and seeds suitable for a sunny spot. ($47)

Monday 5/2/11 (6 - 8 pm)

The danger of frost is past and it's time to decorate your terrace, balcony, stoop, or porch. Students plant lined hanging baskets with annuals from the Southern Living Plant Collection to create a lush, flowering basket of beauty. We'll also review professional tips and tricks for maintaining hanging baskets (fertilizer, irrigation, grooming) all season long. ($54)

You may send a check payable to Acme Plant Stuff to POB 622, Milford, PA 18337; please include your contact information: telephone AND email. If you prefer paying via Paypal, email Ellen Zachos at acmeplant@gmail.com. Tell us how many classes you're enrolling for and we'll send you a Paypal Request with the correct amount. (Paypal charges a small fee which we must, regrettably, pass along to you.)

Please note: the above photographs are examples of the KINDS of things we'll be doing, not exact replicas! E.g., we may not be using nasturtiums in our hanging baskets, but we WILL be planting a basket from all sides. Questions? For more information, please call Ellen Spector Platt at 212-861-3913, or email her at esp@ellenspectorplatt.com. We hope we'll see you soon.