Never mind the vagaries of weather; treat your green thumb to a garden class

They may not have as many green things growing, but local garden centers aren't really dormant over the winter.
They may not have as many green things growing, but local garden centers aren't really dormant over the winter.

If you go

› What: Miniature Garden Make & Take Workshops.› When: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.› Where: The Barn Nursery, 1801 E. 24th St. Place.› Admission: $35; includes container, potting soil, charcoal, colorful stones, plants, figures and fairy dust.› Phone: 423-698-2276.› What: Kokedama Class.› When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 13.› Where: Signal Mountain Nursery, 1100 Hubbard Road, Signal Mountain.› Cost: $35; includes a take-home kokedama ball.› Phone: 423-886-3174.

Cold and wet. Mild and sunny.

A Chattanooga winter can be all of the above. Heck, a Chattanooga winter's day can be all of the above.

So gardeners know to content themselves with other pursuits until spring brings more consistently pleasant temps.

And even if you can't spend as much time as you'd like in the yard, you might have more gardening options than you think. They may not have as many green things growing, but local garden centers aren't really dormant over the winter. Many offer classes in January, February and March that can help you hone your skills or find a hobby.

Two can get you started this weekend: a Miniature Garden Make & Take Workshop (two class times) at The Barn Nursery and a Kokedama Class at Signal Mountain Nursery.

photo They may not have as many green things growing, but local garden centers aren't really dormant over the winter.

Store manager Troy Carlson says The Barn Nursery's gardening classes, which are offered year-round, always draw a crowd.

"They're hugely popular, particularly this time of year," he says. "For those people who love gardening, they get a bit of cabin fever. They wish they could be out playing in the dirt. This gives them a chance to play with plants on a small scale."

The Barn also offers a Terrarium Make & Take Workshop this month. Both classes repeat in February.

No experience is necessary; just a willingness to learn.

"You don't have to know the first thing about how to build a terrarium or construct a [miniature] fairy garden," says Carlson. "Our instructors will walk you through from beginning to end, step by step."

Signal Mountain Nursery's Kokedama Class will introduce participants to a form of bonsai grown in a moss ball. ("Kokedama" literally means "moss ball" in Japanese.) Small plants are rooted in the ball, and the form is bound in string to support the shape.

Signal Mountain Nursery also plans workshops on fairy gardens and terrariums over the next few weeks, along with sessions on how and why to attract birds to your yard and how to plant succulents in a wreath made of cork.

Bees on a Bicycle, Crabtree Farms and Holcomb Garden Centers also have classes to keep your green thumb out of hibernation.

Contact Lisa Denton at ldenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6281.

List of events

BEES ON A BICYCLE1909 Market St., 703-225-9686› Saturday, Jan. 20: Essential Oils Made Easy, 2 p.m. Learn about the essence of a plant (literally), the source of essential oils, used for centuries in other cultures for medicinal, aromatic and culinary purposes.› Wednesday, Jan. 24: Designing Your Spring Garden, 5:30 p.m. Learn how to arrange plants, place beds, use containers and overcome other challenges in garden design.› Thursday, Feb. 8: Terrariums: A Whole Garden Contained, 5:30 p.m. How to create a whole garden in one spot. $15 plus supplies bought on-site.› Saturday, Feb. 17: The Toxin-Free Home, 2 p.m. How to clean your home, your hair, your laundry, without toxins, using natural plant essences› Saturday, Feb. 24: Drinking Shrubs, 4 p.m. Learn to make plant-based cocktails.› Thursday, March 8: Planting for Pollinators, 5:30 p.m., Chattanooga WorkSpace, 302 W. Sixth St. $15› Saturday, March 17: Essential Oils for Bath and Beauty, 2 p.m. Learn how a plant’s essential oils are beneficial for the skin and hair, for soothing muscles, easing stress and even warding off bugs.› Thursday, March 22: Succulent Bar Happy Hour, 6:30 p.m. Plant a succulent arrangement, learning what soil works, how to place rocks in the garden for special interest and other tips. Fee depends on supplies chosen. Snacks and beverages provided. Co-hosted by Inspire Chiropractic.THE BARN NURSERY1801 E. 24th St. Place, 423-698-2276› Saturday, Jan. 13: Miniature Garden Make & Take Workshop, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each $35, all-ages session includes a container, potting soil, charcoal, colorful stones, a few plants and figures and, of course, fairy dust. Repeats at same times Saturday, Feb. 3.› Saturday, Jan. 27: Terrarium Make & Take Workshop, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Each $35, all-ages session includes container, potting soil, charcoal, colorful stones and a few plants and figures. Repeats at same times Saturday, Feb. 24.HOLCOMB GARDEN CENTER5513 Highway 153 in Hixson; 423-877-87822705 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe; 706-861-4769› Saturday, Jan. 27: How To Have a Beautiful Lawn, 3 p.m., Hixson location. Spring lawn class is free, but space is limited. Call 423-877-8782 to leave a name and number in case of cancellation due to inclement weather.SIGNAL MOUNTAIN NURSERY1100 Hubbard Road, Signal Mountain; 423-886-3174.Note: Must register for all classes.› Saturday, Jan. 13: Kokedama Class, 10 a.m. This form of bonsai is a moss ball bound in string to become a structural art form. $35.› Saturday, Jan. 20: Benefits of Attracting Birds to Your Garden, 10 a.m. There are reasons to attract birds to your yard beyond the pleasure of their company. Learn how they can improve your health and well-being. Free; limited space.› Saturday, Jan. 27: Fairy Garden Workshop, 10 a.m. Build a miniature world of your own with a container, soil, rocks, moss and three plants included in the fee. Other accessories at additional cost. $30.› Saturday, Feb. 3: Terrarium Art Workshop, 10 a.m. Scale down the plant world with living art under glass. Bring your own container or buy on-site. Cost depends on materials used.› Saturday, Feb. 10: Valentine’s Cork Succulent Wreath, 10 a.m. Use up all those extra wine corks. $20 covers materials.CRABTREE FARMS1000 E. 30th St.; 423-493-9155› Saturday, March 3: Pruning Intensive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Hands-on workshop to learn the art and science of pruning with landscape architect Matt Whitaker. Outdoor instruction; dress for weather. $40 members, $45 nonmembers. Limited to 35.

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