Rediscover Your Green Thumb: Gardening Events in Metro Detroit

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7th annual Orchid Festival: Featuring mini phalaenopsis and Bull Dog Paphiopedilum. Orchid growers will discuss new varieties and growing techniques on Sat. and Feb. 14. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Through Feb. 24. At all seven English Gardens locations. 800-335-4769. http://www.englishgardens.com/ for locations.

The Refined Native Plant Garden: 18th annual Winter Gardening Seminar, Gardening Smarter in 2009. Lecture and demonstration by Karen Bovio and Celia Ryker. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat. Historic Trinity Lutheran Church, 1345 Gratiot, Detroit. $25. Detroit Garden Center: 313-259-6363.

Introduction to Orchids and Repotting Demonstration: Part of the 7th annual Orchid Festival. With local Orchid Society members. 1 p.m. Sat. At all seven English Gardens locations. 800-335-4769. http://www.englishgardens.com/ for locations.

Royal Oak Garden Club: 11 a.m. Mon. Telly's Greenhouse, 3301 John R, Troy. Free. Penny Vansen: 313-861-6579.

Rain Gardens: Seminar for ecological gardeners working with clay soil sites. With Lillian Dean, Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority. 6:30 p.m. Mon. Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen, Southfield. Free. Register. Karen Bever: 248-288-5150.

Community House Garden Club: "Let's Grow Vegetables," presented by Marlene Uhlianuk, Coon Creek Farms. Tips on growing vegetables in garden beds and containers. 7 p.m. Mon. The Community House, 380 S. Bates, Birmingham. $5 donation, or $20 for Garden Club membership. 248-594-6410.

North Farmington Garden Club Meeting: Kathlyn Rosenthal, owner of KR concepts, will speak on "Using Native Plants for Sustainable Landscapes." New members welcome. Noon Tue. Farmington Community Library-Main Library, 32737 W. Twelve Mile, Farmington Hills. Lutie Moore: 248-553-2368.

Valentine Tea Party: Hosted by Evening Primrose Garden Club. Patricia Sagert, a member of the Herb Society of America and certified tea etiquette consultant by the Protocol School of Washington, will discuss "The History of Tea: Growing and Making Your Own." 7-9 p.m. Tue. Cathedral of Praise Church of God, 1285 E. Wattles, Troy. Free. Reservations. Jan: 248-528-1919.

Troy Garden Club Branch of the WNF&GA: With guest speaker George Papadelis, owner of Telly's Greenhouse, presenting a slide show featuring new flowers for 2009. Noon Wed. Big Beaver United Methodist Church, 3753 John R, Troy. $5. Refreshments will be served. 248-879-7488.

Butterflies ... Plant and They Will Come: Brenda Dziedzic will talk about host/larva plants, nectar plants and other components needed for a butterfly garden. 7 p.m. Wed. University of Michigan-Dearborn Environmental Interpretive Center, 4901 Evergreen, Dearborn. Free. 734-786-6860. www.mgawc.org/prog_intro.htm.

Postage Stamp Gardens: Michael Saint, certified master gardener with Good Earth Landscape Institute, will give instructions on creating a garden in a small space. 7-8 p.m. Thu. Waterford Kettering High School, 2800 Kettering, Waterford. $19. Register: 248-682-1088.

Growing Beautiful Orchids and Repotting Demonstration: Part of the 7th annual Orchid Festival. With local Orchid Society members. 1 p.m. Feb. 14. At all seven English Gardens locations. 800-335-4769. http://www.englishgardens.com/ for locations.

Michigan Orchid Society's Meeting: With Jim Heilig discussing multiflora phalaenopsis. 2:30 p.m. Feb. 15. First Baptist Church of Birmingham, 300 Willits, Birmingham. Free. 586-416-1496. http://www.miorchids.com/.

Learn to teach gardening to children: Participants will learn hands-on, age-specific teaching methods. Must be at least 16 years old and want to garden with youths ages 8-14. 6-9:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Macomb County MSU Extension, 21885 Dunham, Suite 12, Clinton Twp. $35. Register. 586-469-6431

Area Classes Available for Those Of Us Lacking A Green Thumb (or would like to improve on an existing one)

Royal Oak Mirror

Local school districts, community centers and environmental agencies offer a variety of garden planning classes. Registration has started in some districts; others are just making class schedules available to the public.

Here's a sampling of courses in Oakland and
Wayne counties:

Rain Gardens
This day-long how-to-do-it seminar is designed for ecological gardeners who are working with clay soil. Register beginning at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen, south of I-696.

The program will run from 7-8:30 p.m., and cover topics such as compost benefits and water quality, native wildflowers and shrubs for rain gardens, and sizing and locating a rain garden. Speakers will include Rick Lazzell, landscape designer and consultant; Suzan Campbell, Michigan Natural Features Inventory; Lilian Dean, Southeast Oakland County Water Authority (SOCWA) Healthy Lawns and Gardens program.

There is no admission charge, but advance registration is required.
Call Karen Bever at (248) 288-5150 or e-mail LFDean@aol.com.

Postage Stamp Gardens
Michael Saint, a certified master gardener and owner of Good Earth landscape Institute, will show you how to turn a neglected entrance, courtyard or side yard into a peaceful oasis, from 10-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at The Community House, 380 S. Bates, in downtown Birmingham. $19 fee. (248) 644-5832

Creating a Focal Point - Three Easy Steps
Michael Saint demonstrates the use of lighting, sculpture, various plants and hard structures to draw attention to the heart of the garden, 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at The Community House, 380 S. Bates, Birmingham. $19. (248) 644-5832Garden Design Made Simple
Michael Saint offers tips for taking landscaping from "ho hum" to "wow," 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, at The Community House, 380 S. Bates, Birmingham. $19 fee. (248) 644-5832

Growing Roses Made Easy
This session is designed to take the mystery out of growing roses. It runs 7-9 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Glenn High School, 36105 Marquette, Westland. $20 fee. No phone registrations accepted. Register by mail or in person starting Jan. 5, 2009, at Tinkham Adult Center, Leisure Office, 450 S. Venoy, Westland, MI 48186.

Roses, Perennials and Hydrangeas: The Makings of a Traditional Flower Border
Learn about vintage gardens in this class, 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2009, at Farmington Community School, Students will look at old fashioned perennials, timeless classic roses and hydrangeas and learn how to combine traditional plants to make their own vintage-style border garden. Farmington Community School, 30415 Shiawassee, Farmington.
The fee is $20. (248) 489-3333

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring
The class will guide students to a successful garden season with a variety of tips, 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at Farmington Community School, 30415 Shiawassee, Farmington. The fee is $20. (248) 489-3333

Growing Perennials Made Easy
The class will offer tips on successfully growing perennials, including use of fertilizer and other maintenance practices, 7-9 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2009 at Glenn High School, 36105 Marquette, Westland. $20 fee. No phone registrations accepted. Register by mail or in person starting Jan. 5, 2009, at Tinkham Adult Center, Leisure Office, 450 S. Venoy, Westland, MI 48186.