Rotary Botanical Gardens

Questions? Contact Kris Koch, Education Coordinator, at 608-752-3885 ext. 17 or kris.koch@rotarygardens.org

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Eating Local – CSA 101

• Staff, FairShare Community Supported Agriculture Coalition

• Wednesday, January 16, 2013
• 6:30-8:00pm
• RBG Friends Members $5/General Public $7*

When farmers are neighbors rather than conglomerates, there is a much more personal connection to the food we eat.  Investing in Community Supported Agriculture, or a CSA, is an increasingly popular option for people interested in knowing more about who grew or raised their food and how it was done. The FairShare CSA Coalition envisions a future where community supported agriculture is the backbone of a strong local food system; where all families have access to locally produced, organic food and have strong connections to their farms, food and community.  This organization plays a valuable role in Southern Wisconsin by helping CSA farmers Join us as the FairShare CSA Coalition shares the many benefits of CSAs and eating local.

*Pre-registration not required for this series.

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Keeping Your Trees Healthy

• Lant Huntley, Certified Arborist, Huntley Woods – Tree Research Facility

• Wednesday, February 20, 2013
• 6:30-8:00pm
• RBG Friends Members $5/General Public $7*

As the drought raged on throughout the summer of 2012, homeowner attention turned away from brown turf to the very real threat of dying trees.  While it’s easy to forget about watering woody plants, especially if they’re well established, they are the heart and soul of the landscape and can be irreplaceable.  Tree care expert Lant Huntley will offer the most up to date industry recommendations about common problems and diseases that affect trees; share how to prevent or treat those problems; and reinforce the basics of proper tree care for home and landowners.

*Pre-registration not required for this series.

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The Fascinating World of Carnivorous Plants

• Teresa Golembiewski, Dept. of Biological Sciences at University of WI-Whitewater

• Wednesday, March 20, 2013
• 6:30-8:00pm
• RBG Friends Members $5/General Public $7*

Carnivorous plants are unique in the plant world with an incredible ability to lure, capture, kill and digest animal prey.  Everyone’s heard of Venus Flytraps, but there are many other interesting types out there, including several species that grow in Wisconsin.   Teresa, educator and an active member of the International Carnivorous Plant Society, will reveal their unique adaptations; the different ways they attract and eat their prey; discuss their occurrence in the wild and then showcase several live examples.

*Pre-registration not required for this series.

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Perfecting Peonies: Bartzella and Beyond

Sue Zimmerman, Roger F. & Sandra L. Anderson Intersectional Peony Garden at the Hoard Museum

• Wednesday, April 17, 2013
• 6:30-8:00pm
• RBG Friends Members $5/General Public $7*

In 1986, world-renowned (and local!) peony hybridizer Roger Anderson struck gold with the introduction of Bartzella, the first rich, yellow intersectional peony hybrid.  Intersectional or Itoh peony hybrids are crosses between tree and herbaceous peonies, with the large flowers of tree peonies and greater hardiness, stiffer stems and more numerous blooms.  Sue Zimmerman, who has worked closely with Anderson and shares his passion for peonies, will present the story of Anderson’s life work and share what it took to establish the largest public intersectional hybrid peony garden in N. America, located at the Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson, WI.  Post-presentation, RBG will welcome Roger Anderson himself to answer questions.

*Pre-registration not required for this series.

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The Buzz about Native Pollinators

Regina Hirsch, PhD, University of Wisconsin – Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems

• Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• 6:30-8:00pm
• RBG Friends Members $5/General Public $7*

When discussing pollination, the non-native honey bee is often the first insect that comes to mind.  However, out of the 500 different species of bees native to Wisconsin, many equal or surpass the honey bee’s efficiency in pollinating crops and native plants.  Hands down, bees are the most important pollinators, but there are others including butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, beetles and hummingbirds that play roles in food production for birds, animals and people.  Expert Dr. Hirsch will detail why homeowners and farmers need native pollinators, offer information on how to provide their preferred habitats and discuss the importance of their conservation.

*Pre-registration not required for this series.

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Current Garden Problems and How to Treat Them

Barbara Larson, Horticulture Educator – Kenosha County, University of WI Extension – Cooperative Extension

• Wednesday, June 19
• 6:30-8:00pm
• RBG Friends Members $5/General Public $7*

Year after year homeowners can count on the appearance and resulting frustration of a variety of problem insects, noxious plants and plant diseases.  Like death and taxes, it’s pretty much a given that you’ll see Japanese beetles, garlic mustard and maple tar spot to name a few.  However, some years bring new pests and problems.  UWEX Horticulture Educator, Barbara Larson, will highlight the most current garden problems in S. Wisconsin and discuss ways to treat them.  Feel free to bring in a sample from your own yard and Larson will help to diagnose the plant problem and offer tips to treat and/or avoid future problems.  For specifics on how to collect a sample for diagnosis, please check: http://www.plantpath.wisc.edu/pddc/generalcollection.html

*Pre-registration not required for this series.

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