Tuesdays: Plant Propagation Through the Year
March 19, 2019 @ 9:30 am - March 31, 2020 @ 2:30 pm
$52 – $195
Learning how to create more of the plants you care about is a critical skill for resiliency. Some plants and trees can just be grown by planting their seeds, but others are better duplicated via cuttings, grafting or dividing.
This is a “hands in the dirt” course, with a theory session followed by putting it into practice. There will be a lot of plant material after each class to share, take home and start growing.
We find this course is best delivered over four sessions, one each season.
In Winter, we do the “hardwood” cuttings: grape, plum, fig, hydrangea, blueberry, currant and the like.
In Spring, we’ll look at seed raising: seed saving, seed raising mix, germination, appropriate containers, etc.
Summer, is the best time to collect and root “soft” cuttings (sage, salvias, scented geraniums) and some “semi-hardwood” cuttings (lavender, rosemary, Chilean guava).
Once we get to the Autumn class, we are dividing of plants like rhubarb, comfrey, mint, thyme and berry canes, with more “semi-hardwood cuttings.”
Tree propagation will also be covered. You’ll learn about grafting theory and get practical experience using a grafting tool; rootstock production of apple and quince; how to grow rootstocks by mound layering; and how peaches and plums can be grown from seeds.
You are welcome to attend one, two three or all sessions. You’ll receive an email a week before each session with what to bring. It’ll be things like: your lunch, flower snips, secateurs, pots, grafting tool if you have one, extra seeds, branches of the plant you wish to propagate, etc.
This is a cyclic course, so it is perfectly fine to start with any season. The dates for the next workshops are 19 March 2019, 18 June, 17 September, 12 November, and 31 March 2020.
Due to significant interest, we have opened up a Saturday propagation course too. This will take place around the same time and may help if you have a scheduling conflict. Get in touch with Catherine 027 240 1305 if this is your situation.
Kazel Cass will be leading all sessions and is one of our most popular tutors.
