Classes offered at Alden Lane Nursery

Alden Lane's Educational Opportunities

This year Alden Lane is introducing basic gardening classes, and scheduling them on both Saturdays and Sundays so you can easily work a class into your month. A series of 4 classes will cover the most common questions we encounter from gardeners. All classes will include about 30 minutes of instruction/demonstration and optional 20-30 minutes of question/answer time.

Saturday, May 3 at 10 am
Planning and planting for less water use in the landscape.
Join us as we share about creating and enjoying attractive gardens without going overboard on water. Learn about plants that can handle life on the dry side without looking parched.

Sunday, May 11 at 10 am
Saturday, May 17 at 10 am
Alden Lane favorite perennials for sun.
Listen in as we share the enthusiasm for a handful of favorite plants tried and loved in our sunny Livermore Valley gardens.

Sunday, May 18 at 10 am
Saturday, May 24 at 10 am
Alden Lane favorite perennials for shade.
See what's working well on the shady side of the garden. We have a collection of favorite plants proven successful in our Livermore Valley area.

Sunday, June 1 at 10 am
Saturday, June 7 at 10 am
Creating a garden for butterflies and hummingbirds
Josh Pulcinella is a knowledgeable plantsman and was raised watching birds. Join Josh again as he shares a vast wealth of knowledge and experience about attracting and enjoying these beauties in your landscape.

Orchid University

This is your opportunity to learn the basics and beyond about the intricate world of ORCHIDS. Sue Fordyce will "de-mystify the mystical" and teach you what you need to know to grow-and BLOOM fabulous orchids. Many types of orchids will be discussed, both indoor and outdoor. You may choose one class . . . or sign up for all three. The workshops will be repeated in July - so if you missed one, you can catch up.

WORKSHOP l: Your plants are talking to you- how to interpret the sign language of orchids and understand their basic needs. How to tell underwatering, overwatering, root problems, light issues and lots more. You may bring a plant to be diagnosed.

WORKSHOP ll: Potting Party! Issues of repotting, dividing and root health will be addressed by hands on demonstration. Care after repotting will also be covered. You may bring a plant to be repotted. You may purchase a pot from us, or bring your own. We will provide the mix and instruction.

WORKSHOP III: Pests and diseases, water quality, greenhouse culture, mounting orchids, and exploring the needs of more unusual but attainable orchids are addressed in this highly informative session.

June Sessions on Wednesdays
Workshop I June 4 7pm to 8:30 pm
Workshop II June 11 7pm to 8:30 pm
Workshop III June 18 7 pm to 8:30 pm

July Sessions on Wednesdays
Workshop I July 16 7pm to 8:30
Workshop II July 23 7pm to 8:30
Workshop III July 30 7 pm to 8:30

Session 2: Saturday
(1 mega class combinging all three workshops)
Workshop l,II,lll, JULY 19th,   10am to 1:00 pm        ($25)

Please call Alden Lane to sign up for the workshops at 925/447-0280 which have limited registration. Classes will be held in the Alden Lane Event Center. The cost is $10.00 per class, or sign up for all 3 for $25.00. Prepayment is suggested to hold your space.

Concrete Leaf Classes

By popular demand, Sue and Heather of Alden Lane will present Concrete Leaf Classes this Summer. Many folks have seen these spectacularly colorful leaves up in our greenhouse display and wanted to learn the process to make their very own creations. They make wonderful garden ornaments, birdbaths, and even fountains.

These leaves are not made from molds, but from the wonderful leaves abundant in the garden this time of year. It is a very fun project, and we will provide all the necessary materials and instruction to make a medium size 10"- 12" concrete leaf- just bring yourself , a pair of rubber gloves and clothes you can get dirty. You will leave the finished project with us for a week to partially cure before taking it home. Once you make one leaf, you'll want to make more and more-it's very addicting because they come out so beautifully. We will equip you with the knowledge you need to create a garden full of exotic leaves.

Class cost $48.00 per class, 15 person class limit. Please pre-register with our Alden Lane cashiers. Please allow for 1 ½ to 2 hours class time. Classes are scheduled as follows:

Sat. June 14 at 2 PM
Sat. June 28 at 11 AM
Sat. July 26 at 11 AM
Thurs. Aug. 14 at 6:30 PM

Leaf Painting Seminar. Bring your leaf (they take about 3 weeks minimum to cure properly before painting) We will supply the paints and techniques to make your concrete leaf creations truly amazing! Class cost for the painting seminar is $35.00. Pre-register with our cashiers. Class limited to 20 people per class.

Sat. Sept. 6 at 11AM 1 ½ hrs.

Summer Bonsai Classes at Alden Lane

June class will be "Beyond the Basics-Refining your skill" June 21st from 10-1pm. $50.00 class fee. Please call ahead to pay and reserve your space. This will be an intermediate level class, working with a large five-gallon specimen. Charles will work with those wishing to go the next step and train larger plant material. There is an increase in price to cover the pot and larger plant material.

July class will be "A Landscape Planting", July 19th from 10-1pm. $45.00 fee Please call ahead to reserve your space, and pay for this class. Charles will provide either landscape plate or flat pumice rocks for a tray. All plants will be provided including the groundcover needed.

Succulent Pot Class

Join us on June 7th from 11 a.m. to noon for our succulent class. Attendees will select from a variety of succulents to plant and a 6 pocket terracotta "strawberry" pot. The class cost is $45 and must be prepaid to hold your spot. The class is limited to 24 attendees.