P.L.A.N.T. students actively participate in setting up a compost bin.

P.L.A.N.T. Spring 2010 Program Schedule:

ALL CLASSES ARE FROM 9AM to 1PM, rain or shine.  Please bring a snack and drink.  Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.  You will receive instruction, a book, and a wire bin.

February 27, 2010 Latta Plantation Nature Center 6211 Sample Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 704-875-1391 $10

March 13, 2010 Community Garden at St. Albans 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson, NC 704-432-1970 $10 (class will be held downstairs in the church building and in the garden area)

March 17, 2010  McDowell Nature Center 15222 York Road, Charlotte, NC 704-588-5224 $10

March 20, 2010 Reedy Creek Nature Center 2900 Rocky River Rd., Charlotte, NC 28215 704-598-8857 $10

March 20, 2010 Steele Creek Library* 13620 Steele Creek Rd., Charlotte, NC 28273 704-416-6800 $10

March 27, 2010 UNCC Botanical Garden Greenhouse 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte NC 28223 704-687-2555 $10

April 10, 2010 McDowell Nature Center 15222 York Rd, Charlotte NC  704-588-5224 $10

April 17, 2010 Charlotte Nature Museum 1658 Sterling Rd, Charlotte NC 28209  704-372-6261 ext. 300 or 605 Members $12, Non-members $15

May 8, 2010 Matthews Public Works 1600 Tank Town Rd, Matthews, NC  704-847-3640 $10

May 8, 2010 McDowell Nature Center 15222 York Rd., Charlotte, NC 704-588-5224 $10

For class reservations call the location of your choice. Classes are $10 unless otherwise stated.  (These classes are free to Mecklenburg County and CMS employees.)

*Steele Creek Library location - The fee of $10 includes bin and books. If no fee is paid, the participant gets only the instruction.

FREE Backyard Compost class
Community Garden at St. Albans, 301 Caldwell  Lane, Davidson 704-432-1970
Tuesday March 2, 2010, 2pm - 4pm
Tuesday, March 9, 2010, 2pm - 4pm

Participants in the P.L.A.N.T. class will learn the following:

• Composting - how to turn leaves, yard clippings & kitchen scraps into rich compost that is a cost saving &  valuable soil amendment for plants in the yard and garden.
• Home and Community Soil Stewardship - How and why of soil testing, managing soils to improve fertility, decrease erosion and protect the environment.
• Toxicity Reduction - Water quality, chemical alternatives and natural methods, and proper use, storage and disposal of yard chemicals.
• Home Yard Care - Wise lawn care, types of grasses and how to best manage them, grasscycling, and lawn alternatives including ground covers, natural areas and proper mulching techniques.
• Piedmont Naturescaping - Landscaping for sustainability and easy, low-cost maintenance, (southern xeriscaping)using traditional and native plants and trees in the landscape, groundcovers and mulch, water saving strategies and best irrigation practices and technologies. Prevention and eradication of invasive plants in our communities to improve property values.
• Habitat and Natural Gardening - natural landscaping techniques that allow for beneficial insects and plants, habitat for wildlife and low maintenance beautification of the landscape.