2008 Lunch & Learn:
A Brown Bag Lunch Series at Cox Arboretum MetroPark
“Power gardening” at its best. Each month will feature topics of
horticulture interest, opportunities to network with others of similar
interests, and speakers who will give new meaning to the term
Wednesday, March 5
Lunch & Learn: Beyond Hostas
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Learn the many aspects of shade and about the array of plants that can thrive in these areas. Add
interest to your shade garden with texture, stature, and color by broadening the plants within your
gardening palette.
Friday, March 28
Lunch & Learn: Native Woodland Wildflowers
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m
When selecting plants for the shade garden, native woodland wildflowers are often overlooked. Bring your
lunch and discover some of the plants that will become part of your "must have" list as Brian Jorg,
Horticulturist from the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, shares his knowledge and excitement about these
lovely treasures.
Wednesday, April 2
Lunch & Learn: Gardening for the Senses
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. (1 ½ hrs)
While many gardeners choose plants for their visual beauty, you may also want to concentrate on
choosing plants that stimulate the other senses. Bring your lunch and join us as we explore plants
and their uses that create experiences that engage our sight, taste, smell, touch, and our sense of
hearing.
Thursday, May 1
Lunch & Learn: Getting Potted!
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
We will be exploring the world of "Container Gardening", planning springs palette, and learning the
best way to pot for long-lasting beauty. Containers provide a unique opportunity to bring beautiful
plants right up to your doorstep. Bring your lunch and learn from Leslie Shimer, Marvin’s Organic
Garden, as you watch exciting compositions in color and texture in a wide range of containers for
that hard to plant spot or corner that just needs some sparkle being demonstrated. Get a "sneak
peak" at the Accent plants that will be available at through our Garden Store.
Wednesday, May 14
Lunch & Learn: Planning & Planting a Healing Garden
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Examine the role of nature and gardening in the healing process. Join Donna Walls, R.N. and
Herbalist, to learn about designing, selecting, and growing healing herbs in this year's garden.
Sample some of the teas, salves, and tinctures that can be made from these amazing plants. Book
signing will follow program.
Wednesday , June 11
Lunch & Learn: Rose Gardening & Care
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Learn ways to care for one of gardeners most prized plants during this brown bag lunch series.
Varieties, how to choose, when & how to prune, and a more organic way to rose gardening will be
discuss. Dress comfortably & bring your pruners, because part of this class will be hands on.
Friday, June 27
Lunch & Learn: Fairy Gardens
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
You don’t need to believe in fairies to have a fairy garden on your deck or patio — although it
couldn’t hurt. Children and adults alike will delight in planting and caring for these miniature
gardens brimming with charm and intrigue. Bring a lunch and join Jackie Eccles as she helps you
discover the little things in life.
Tuesday, July 15
Lunch & Learn: Butterflies & their Habitat
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join us as we share how to create a beautiful butterfly habitat. Bring your lunch, enjoy the
presentation, and after the program a tour of the Native Butterfly House here at the Arboretum will
be available.
Friday, July 25
Lunch and Learn: Healthy Organic Lawns
11:30 a.m – 1 p.m.
Beautiful lawns can be yours without wasting resources, polluting the environment, and spending a
lot of money on services. Learn how some basic changes in cultural practices and product choices
for turf management, together with a beginner's understanding of soil biology, can produce a lush,
healthy, green lawn without the use of pesticides. We will provide information on transitioning from
a chemical lawn care program to an organic approach.
Wednesday, August 13
Lunch & Learn: Garden Gourmet
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
Edible Landscape Pavilion
Creativity, simplicity and practicality can go hand in hand in making meals that inspire. Join us as
we share tried and true secrets to delicious dishes, and take home some of the ingredients you will
be harvesting from our Edible Landscape Garden. Program is free, but you must bring a dish to
share.
Friday, August 29
Lunch & Learn: Alternatives for the Ash Tree in the Home Landscape
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Emerald Ash Borer has made a huge impact on the landscape in the Midwest. In this brown
bag series program we will discuss alternative trees, and their merits, to use in your landscape .
Friday, September 5
Lunch & Learn: The Garden Art of Sand Casting
11:30 - 1 p.m. (1 1/2 hrs)
Sandcasting is a craft with many variations and during this brown bag program Margaret Hong will
take you step by step through this new garden art process. Real leaves are used for each piece
and a perfect replica of the leaf is formed. The skill is not only in the casting, but in the painting.
Tuesday , September 9
Lunch & Learn: Once upon a Milkweed
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
In this complex community, one insect's poison may be another's meal. Bring your lunch as we
learn about the intricate ecosystem of the plant so closely connected to the majestic Monarch
Butterflies.
Friday, October 3
Lunch & Learn: Holiday Florals and Pumpkin Vases
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fresh herbs, greenery harvested from your evergreens, and a splash of floral color are such a treat
at the holiday season! Just in time for Halloween, Jo Ann Littlefield from Knollwood Garden Center
will show you how to make make a festive pumpkin centerpiece with a real pumpkin vase and
some simple holiday centerpieces from supplies in your yard!
Wednesday, October 15
Lunch & Learn: Habitat Gardens for the Winter Season
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Winter creates special needs for a variety of birds, and this program will help you learn the do’s
and don’ts of winter care for our feathered friends.
Wednesday, November 5
Lunch & Learn: Herbal Holidays
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Homemade treasures can make some of the best holiday gifts. Bring your lunch and join us as we
learn how to use herbs to create personal care items and culinary delights, natural ingredients to
make ornaments, and preserved garden items to design beautiful tablescapes.
Friday, November 21
Lunch & Learn: The Language of Flowers
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
All flowers have a meaning. The Victorians used to use flowers as a symbol to express their
feelings. Combining flowers to create bouquets rich in meaning can personalize the simplest of
arrangements. Bring your lunch, and enjoy sharing the silent language of flowers.