Workshops for Urban Gardeners

If you would like to receive emails regarding upcoming workshiops, email us at info@urbanroots.org. Urban Roots features workshops programmed for the Buffalo and Western New York gardener. At all levels of knowledge and expertise.

To sign up call 716-362-8982 or email workshops@urbanroots.org

  • Saturday, May 31, 9 am – Living Roofs in Buffalo*
    a sustainable- attainable approach to greening rooftops
    David Lanfear of Bale on Bale Construction, a local natural builder, will present a workshop on low tech living roofs. David will give the rationale for living roofs, as well as describing the techniques for implementation. Everyone should leave inspired to build their own small living roof. For those interested, the information session will be followed up by a hands on session, participants can work on an actual green roof on a neighborhood garage.

    Permaculture classes in June (please note date changes):

  • Thursday, June 19th, 7 pm – Permaculture I – Elements: Sun, Soil, Wind and Water in the Urban Garden (garden ecology, composting, mulching, water collection and conservation, etc.)
  • Thursday, June 26th, 7 pm – Permaculture II – The Edible Landscape: Zone Planning, Site Design and Useful Species (garden planning and implementation)
  • Sunday, June 29th, 10 am – Permaculture III – A Cultivated Ecology: Principles of Wildlife Control and Biological Pest Management
  • Saturday, June 21st Time TBD – Flower Press a workshop for children and parents presented by Karen Sirgey of Avian Architecture. Learn to make simple, victorian flower presses so you can dry and save summer flowers. Decorate them with paint and decoupage and it’s a great project for families.

Check out pictures of workshops here.

Recent Workshops:

  • Thursday, May 1, 6 pm – Green Economy: Composting and Reducing Waste for individuals, organizations & businesses. Co-sponsored by Buffalo First.
  • Saturday April 26 – (2PM) Introduction to Permaculture for Urban Gardeners by Billie Williams, B. App. Sc., PDC, BOE. Learn more about Permaculture classes here.
  • Saturday, April 5th 11am – Attract Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden presented by Karen Sirgey of Avian Architecture.

A workshop with master bird house designer and builder, Avian Architect, Karen Sirgey. Special for the season of bird migration, Sirgey will present bird and butterfly housing and gardens designed to attract them. Demonstrations will include planning of the bird and/or butterfly garden and setting up a house for our winged friends.

  • Thursday, April 10th 5:30pm – Summer Bulbs presented by Elizabeth Licata of GardenRant.com and Buffalo Spree.

Elizabeth presents on summer bulbs and tubers such as lilium, dahlias, colacasias, and canna. How and when to plant them, maintain them, and overwinter those that need it. How you can have some type of lily blooming from early June through early September, the special needs of colocasia, and how indoor starts may be necessary in some cases. All the new hybrids will be discussed. Pest or disease problems that may arise will be discussed, as will the necessary evil of staking and ways to cover and disguise the lanky stems of tall lilies.

  • Saturday, April 19th 2pm – Shade Gardening presented by Roxanne McCoy of Lilies of the Field
  • Saturday, March 15th, 2008 2pm – Grow Seedlings Organically presented by Richard Price of Faerie Seeds-this is a hands on workshop, materials provided.

Workshops offered in 2007:

If you have an idea for a workshop you’d like to either attend or present, please send us an email at volunteers@urbanroots.org.

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