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The Springs Preserve's eight-acre botanical garden and gardening exhibits will inspire you. Classes highlight water smart landscaping, gardening for small spaces, organic gardening and cultivating your own farmers market. Join us in the Gardens and get your hands dirty. Call Springs Preserve Adult Education at (702) 822-7786 for reservations.

Just because you have a small yard or a patio doesn't mean you can’t have a garden. Whether you are dealing with sun or shade, a pool deck or patio, creative containers filled with colorful veggies, fragrant herbs or a variety of cacti and succulents can have a visual impact that will greatly enhance these areas and turn them into inviting private gardens.

Container Gardening with Vegetables
June 26, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
$24 non-members, $20 members (includes supplies)
You don't have to have a full-fledged garden to have garden-fresh veggies. Discover which varieties of veggies will do well in containers and not only taste great but are also attractive to the eye. Participants will be able to select their preferred veggies to create their own veggie garden to take home.

Springs Preserve staff and docents will guide you through an informative and fun tour of our gardens.
Each month will highlight a different aspect of our Gardens, so plan on making it a monthly event.

Troubleshooting
July 19, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Free with general admission and for Springs Preserve Annual Pass holders
Do I feed my roses during the heat? We are planning a vacation, what do we do with our houseplants while we are gone? Are there flowers we can add to our landscape that will take this summer heat? Why are the leaves on my African sumac dropping? We are following all the guidelines in watering our lawn, so why is it still drying up? These are just a few of the questions we will answer as we tour the Springs Preserve's Gardens.

Palms: Distinctive Plants of the Southwest
August 16, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Free with general admission and for Springs Preserve Annual Pass holders
These intriguing plants are not only distinctive, but versatile—there are more than 3,000 different species of palm trees! Do you know the difference between a feather-leafed palm and a fan-leafed palm? We see many types of palms throughout deserts, as they are naturally drought-tolerant species. Join us as we explore and investigate the various palms at the Springs Preserve.

Herbs: Aromatic Plants
September 20, 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Free with general admission and for Springs Preserve Annual Pass holders
If you don't have a green thumb by nature, herbs can be very forgiving—most are easily grown with minimal effort and maximum pleasure. And the aromas of many, such as mint and basil, are simply delightful. Herbs have been used for various reasons over the years, and many are drought-tolerant and resistant to insects and diseases. Take a walk with us as we discover the delights of these classic
and aromatic plants.

July 2, August 13 and September 3, 6 to 8 p.m.
July 19, August 2 and September 27, 2 to 4 p.m.
Free
It's a desert out there but thanks to our abundant sunshine and the variety of desert-adapted plants available, you can have much more than just a yard. Join us as we explore the steps to creating water-efficient landscapes that are simply beautiful and extend your living space into the outdoors.

June 25, July 23 and August 20, 6 to 9 p.m.
July 12 and September 6, 9 a.m. to noon.
August 9 and September 20, 2 to 5 p.m.
Free
This class equips you with the skills to design and install a drip irrigation system. Learn the complete installation from the street to the plants including how to select and assemble components. Get involved by building a drip system right in the classroom and learn just how easy it is to save water and have great looking plants. Taught by experts from the Conservation Department at SNWA and the Water Waste team at LVVWD.

Whether you are designing a new landscape or converting an existing yard, this Wednesday evening series will introduce you to the basics of creating a beautiful, water-efficient and sustainable landscape. Discover the seven steps of water-smart landscaping, the basics of landscape design, how to select a theme and the plants that will bring it to life, and finally, how to maintain your new living work of art.

Design 1-4 Series: $36 non-members, $28 members
Design 1-6 Series: $45 non-members, $36 members
Design 5 only: $9 non-members, $7 members
Design 6 only: $9 non-members, $7 members

Water Smart by Design Class 1: An Introduction
September 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
It's a desert out there. Join us for the first class in this series as we explore the seven steps to creating a Water Smart Landscape, and their importance in achieving a beautiful, water-efficient and sustainable outdoor living environment.

Water Smart by Design Class 2: A Living Art
September 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
In the second class in this series, discover how to design a living work of art to accent the architecture of your home and reflect your personality. We'll explore the importance of selecting a theme for your landscape, the principles of landscape design and how they work together to bring your ideas to life.

Water Smart by Design Class 3: Making It Happen
September 24, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Designing a landscape for the desert environment can be a challenge. The third class in this series explores how to use plants to solve common landscape-design challenges, conserve energy by placing plants strategically around your home's exterior and how to expand your living spaces into the outdoors.

Water Smart by Design Class 4: Selecting the Plants
October 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
You have assessed your needs, decided on the types of outdoor living spaces you want and have created a basic landscape plan. In this fourth class in the series, we'll introduce you to a variety of plants that work well in Southern Nevada landscapes.

Water Smart by Design Class 5: Construction and Planting
October 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Now that you have your landscape plan and have selected your plants, it's time to think about installation. In the fifth class in this series, discover the proper sequence for installing and planting your new landscape.

Water Smart by Design Class 6: Care and Maintenance
October 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The final class in this series will provide you with the tools you need to care for and maintain your new landscape. With proper care and maintenance, your work of art will continue to grow and change through the seasons, providing you with lasting enjoyment.

Here's some food for thought–gardening! The Springs Preserve's Gardens and gardening staff will illustrate how gardening can nurture your mind, nourish your body and provide nutrition for your soul.

Heirloom Plants: Eating History
July 5, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
$9 non-members, $7 members. Series cost is $25 non-members, $19 members
The growing popularity of heirloom plants—both growing them and eating them—speaks to a yearning for simpler times and the joys of organic gardening. Take a trip down Memory Lane as we taste and explore the history of heirloom plants. As for the present: Find out how these seeds/plants can add a new dimension to your garden and dining table, and which cultivars are easiest to grow.

Mesquite Meal: It's a Grind Out There
August 2, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
$9 non-members, $7 members. Series cost is $25 non-members, $19 members
Looking for a way to spark up your cooking while adding healthier choices into your diet? Try mesquite! Join us to discover the many reasons why mesquite is becoming a popular and beneficial dietary supplement. You will learn the basics of harvesting, grinding and cooking with this traditional Native American food. Participants will also be able to taste food from bygone days from recipes prepared during class.

Fine Desert Dining: Surviving on Desert Plants
September 6, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
$9 non-members, $7 members. Series cost is $25 non-members, $19 members
While some desert plants have thorns and spines on the outside, they may be hiding a highly edible interior. So how can you spot a tasty desert plant? Learn from the experts which desert plants—whether cacti or other varieties—lend themselves to consumption and partake in some delectable desert dining during class.

How does your garden grow? Mary isn't quite so contrary now that she knows she can use natural, non-toxic methods to enhance her garden. Learn the rhymes and reasons for growing a sustainable garden.

Seed Collecting and Processing
July 12, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
$7 non-members, $5 members. Series cost is $19 non-members, $13 members
Bring the desert to your own backyard through seed gathering and proper propagation. To grow a successful garden from seed, you'll need to properly collect, clean and store plant seeds until they are ready for planting. Class participants will practice hands-on seed collection in the Preserve Conservation Garden. Our expert Horticultural Team will then show you how to clean, document and prepare seeds for storage to create your future desert paradise.

Hummingbird Gardens: Flights of Fancy
August 9, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
$7 non-members, $5 members. Series cost is $19 non-members, $13 members
Which bird can fly right, left, up, down, backward and even upside down? Why, hummingbirds, of course. If you have ever delighted in the sight of hummingbirds darting from flower to flower collecting nectar, you've almost certainly wondered how you can attract more of these lively and vibrant flyers to your yard. Join us as we learn the ins, outs and upside downs of enticing hummingbirds to your garden.

Shady Characters: Plants for Sheltered Areas
September 13, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
$7 non-members, $5 members. Series cost is $19 non-members, $13 members
Las Vegas is becoming a shady town. Trees are maturing, yards around homes are shrinking and a higher percentage of double-story homes are putting available light at a premium. With these changes, it's no wonder more residents are asking which plants grow well in shaded areas. The good news: While all plants need some light, we'll tell you more about the many "shady characters" you can add to your landscape.

August 8, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Free (for professional gardeners)
Note: This class is presented in Spanish. In this class for professional gardeners, participants will learn to care for and prune trees while avoiding accidents. The instructor will present all the equipment required to both protect yourself and get the job done properly. Please call 258-3946 to register, as space is limited.

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