Capture the Light Mosaics | Daviea Davis

Thurs. Oct. 10 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers | Material fee: $7
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Create your own fall-themed 8” x 12” sun catcher using tumbled stained glass pieces as you learn more about this ancient mosaic art form in a fun, casual way.

This class is now filled. Please call 412/441-4442 ext. 3925 or e-mail with questions, or to get an email alert about spaces in this class or the next Capture the Light Mosaics class.

Tropical Bonsai: Oriental Fig | Dr. Norbert Pietrzak

Sat., Oct. 12 | 10 a.m. – noon

$25 members | $30 nonmembers | Material fee: $45
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Master the ancient art of bonsai in our hands-on workshops, and learn the horticultural techniques of styling, wiring, potting and root pruning. Style your own tree and take it home to begin or build your collection. All classes are suitable for beginners. Materials are provided, but bring a pair of hand pruners if you have them. Class size is limited.

Note: Tropical bonsai must live indoors in the cold months, while junipers and other hardy bonsai live outdoors year round.

This class is now filled. Please call 412/441-4442 ext. 3925 or e-mail with questions, or to get an email alert about spaces in this class or the next Tropical Bonsai: Oriental Fig class.

Backyard Composting | Nancy Martin

Mon., Oct. 14 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.

$70 per person | $75 per couple
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Organic materials often considered waste — such as grass clippings, food scraps, autumn
leaves and paper — can be turned into a rich soil conditioner with valuable plant nutrients
through the natural process of decomposition. Learn about the importance of composting,
how to set up a compost pile, properly maintain it and use the finished product. You will
receive a FreeGarden EARTH compost bin, an 82-gallon receptacle that is an ideal choice
for urban and suburban areas. This workshop is hosted by the Pennsylvania Resources
Council. To register, click "Register with PRC" below or call 412/488-7490, ext. 247.

Price includes one compost unit per registration. Pre-registration is required.

Healthy Soil for the Vegetable Garden | Dan Dalton, PASA

Wed., Oct. 16 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers
Botany Hall at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (please note change of venue)

Healthy, fertile soil is the key to growing healthy plants and improving the yield in your home vegetable garden — and fall is the perfect time to invest in your garden’s soil. Learn effective organic fertility management techniques, as well as how to read soil tests and translate them for the home garden. Plus, discover the practical use of various soil amendments, including cover crops.

Door Charm | Sarah Needham

Tues., Oct. 22 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers | Material fee: $30
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Craft a striking autumn accent for your home. Make a door charm using dried grasses, dried florals, autumn accents and fall leaves.

Create Your Own Kokedama | Marina Pawlesh

Tues., Oct. 22 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers | $15 material fee
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Kokedama is a Japanese form of garden art and is sometimes known as a “poor man’s bonsai.” Translated in English, kokedama means “moss ball.” These pieces are created by enclosing a small plant in a ball of soil and wrapping it in moss. Learn what materials to use, and how to care for and assemble your own Kokedama, then take it home!

This class is now filled. Please call 412/441-4442 ext. 3925 or e-mail with questions, or to get an email alert about spaces in this class or the next Create Your Own Kokedama class.

Organic Lawn Care: Fall Maintenance | Walter Jarosh

Wed., Oct. 23 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Lush lawns that are safe for children, pets and the environment begin with the creation of healthy soil and fall is a great time to get started. Learn how to grow an organic lawn that is free of synthetic chemicals in accordance with Phipps’ Safe Lawn Program. Discover the best practices for mowing, watering, fertilization and aeration, and discuss insect and weed control with a focus on fall lawn care.

Herbs from the Witch's Garden | Andrea Jackson

Mon., Oct. 28 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Discover the mystical qualities of herbs and how you can use them to bring a little bit of magic into your life.

Tropical Bonsai: Dwarf Jade | Dr. Norbert Pietrzak

Sat., Oct. 26 | 10 a.m. – noon

$25 members | $30 nonmembers | Material fee: $45
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Master the ancient art of bonsai in our hands-on workshops, and learn the horticultural techniques of styling, wiring, potting and root pruning. Style your own tree and take it home to begin or build your collection. All classes are suitable for beginners. Materials are provided, but bring a pair of hand pruners if you have them. Class size is limited.

Note: Tropical bonsai must live indoors in the cold months, while junipers and other hardy bonsai live outdoors year round.

This class is now filled. Please call 412/441-4442 ext. 3925 or e-mail with questions, or to get an email alert about spaces in this class or the next Tropical Bonsai: Dwarf Jade class.

Paper Making: Holiday Card | Katy DeMent

Wed., Nov. 6 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$20 members | $25 nonmembers | $5 material fee
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Use cotton and other plants to make sheets of paper by hand.

Beginning Bonsai: Juniper | Kevin Haughey

Sat., Nov. 9 | 10 a.m. – noon

$25 members | $30 nonmembers | Material fee: $45
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Master the ancient art of bonsai in our hands-on workshops, and learn the horticultural techniques of styling, wiring, potting and root pruning. Style your own tree and take it home to begin or build your collection. All classes are suitable for beginners. Materials are provided, but bring a pair of hand pruners if you have them. Class size is limited.

Note: Tropical bonsai must live indoors in the cold months, while junipers and other hardy bonsai live outdoors year round.

This class is now filled. Please call 412/441-4442 ext. 3925 or e-mail with questions, or to get an email alert about spaces in this class or the next Beginning Bonsai: Juniper class.

Papermaking for All Occasions | Katy DeMent

Thursdays: Sept. 26, Oct. 3, 10 and 17 | 7 – 9 p.m.

$80 members | $90 nonmembers | Material fee: $30
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Learn about traditional and modern papermaking techniques, color, texture, surface design and composition as you create your own recycled paper out of plant fibers collected from your home and garden. Plus, explore the process of producing pulp from both dry and green fibers, learn how to use pressed and dried leaves and flowers as embellishments, discover how to make seeded papers, and experiment with various methods, such as dyeing plant fibers and wet-on-wet collage. Dry handmade paper sheets will be hand-bound into sample/recipe books with more handcrafted papers to keep and share.