Home & Garden

Home and Garden

Explore a Career in the Decorating Business
Are you creative? Do you have an eye for color? Are you addicted to those TV decorating shows and design magazines? Can you decorate for a living? Explore career options in the decorating field and needed educational requirements. View some before and after pictures of projects and a look at the behind the scenes activities that take place to get the project done.
CE-CRXPL 2018, 1 Sat., Jan. 31, 9:30 am-1:30 pm, KNC-2, $35. M Colella. #12861

Staging for the Home
For home owners and realtors looking for guidance on preparing a home for sale. Learn about the important areas to consider for change and discover some simple (and inexpensive) remedies to create a fresh and appealing look for the buyer.
CE-HOME 2005, 1 Sat., Jan. 24, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, Room TBD, $30. M Tallerico. #12780
Interior Design 101
Learn the basic tools to create an artful home including creating a floor plan, the use of color, and window treatments. The principal elements of design will be discussed: balance, proportion and color. Address design as an artist approaches a canvas, with the room as the composition. Email instructor at mt.design@verizon.net for textbook and a list of supplies at least one week prior to class.
CE-ART 2062, 8 Wed., Jan. 21-Mar. 11, 6:30-9:00 pm, Room TBD, $175 (+ textbook). M Tallerico. #12777

GO NATIVE U at Westchester Community College
A Certificate Program in Sustainable Gardening with Northeast Flora

Discover how to plan and grow a beautiful and beneficial landscape using plants native to the Northeast in this program designed for industry professional and home gardeners.

Landscape architects, designers, and gardening enthusiasts will learn from experienced instructors about regional ecology and the sustainable practices that can be used to enhance home and community environments.

Students can enroll in individual classes or pursue a certificate, which consists of 50 contact hours (18 hours/core courses, 17 hours/ electives, and 15 hours/community service) plus a final exam. Most classes offer LA-CES approved credit hours; some offer ISA-approved credit.

To register for these courses, please call 914-606-6830 and press 1 or register online at www.sunywcc.edu/CE

Introduction to Native Plant Communities
Find out about the groupings of native plants that grow together naturally in the wild, and the ecological reasons for gardening with this approach. Learn about some common plant communities, why they are important, and how to emulate them in your landscape.
CE-GRDN 2013, 1 Wed., Mar. 11, 10:00 am-12:00 noon. $55. K Eierman #13019

Native Perennials: Spring/Summer
Learn about the many herbaceous native plants that will enhance your garden and also provide food and shelter for native bees, butterflies, birds, and more.
CE-GRDN 2016, 1 Sat., Mar. 28, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $55. B Fischer. #12982

Plant Identification in the Field
Move outside the classroom to learn how to identify plants using a taxonomic key. Try your skills in the field by exploring the demonstration gardens of The Native Plant Center and the grounds of the college campus. A field guide with dichotomous key is required; email the instructor at Jessica.a.schuler@gmail.com for suggested titles.
CE-GRDN 2023, 1 Sat., May 2, 10:00 am-12:00 pm, $55. J Schuler. #13017

Elective Classes:

New! Shade Gardening: From Wet to Dry
Frustrated by your shady landscape? Gardening in the shade can be both beautiful and ecological with the right selection of native plants. Whether you have dry, average, moist, or wet conditions, part shade, full shade or filtered shade, you can have a stunning native garden.
CE-GRDN 2068, 1 Wed., Feb. 18, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $55. K Eierman. #13282

New! Attracting Birds, Bees & Butterflies
While some creatures can utilize the same native plants and similar habitats, others have very specific requirements. Discover how you can attract and support birds, bees, and butterflies in your own garden.
CE-GRDN 2069, 3 Thurs., Jan. 15-29, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, CLA-100, $130. K Eierman. #13283

Native Conifers
Explore the beauty and diversity of conifers native to the Northeast, including the numerous cultivated forms and varieties. Learn how to identify these conifers, the many ways they support wildlife, and their use in designed landscapes.
CE-GRDN 2019, 1 Wed., Jan. 28, 6:00-8:00 pm, $55. C Summers. #13016

Common Sense Landscaping
Break away from outdated practices and create a living landscape that helps the environment. Learn how to choose the right native plant for the location; find out about companion planting and site analysis; and get to know your soil and the use of natural materials. This naturalistic approach is taught from the perspective of the owner of a full-service garden center and landscape design and management company.
CE-GRDN 2054, 3 Sat., Feb. 14-28, 10:00 am-12:00 noon, $130. P Muroski. #12991

New! Proper Pruning Practices
Learn the proper techniques and methods for pruning deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees. Topics include correct timing, renewal pruning, and recommended tools. Dress for weather and bring your pruners for hands-on work in the garden.
CE-GRDN 2062, 1 Sat., Mar. 7, 10:00 am-2:30 pm, $115. A Perkowski. #13015

Identifying the Common Wild Ferns of the Northeast
Fewer than 100 ferns are native to the northeastern United States. Learn the distinguishing characteristics of the 30 most common ones: the shape of the fronds, the spore bearing leaves, the leaf veins, and the margins. The ferns will be illustrated by use of a herbarium, which allows for up-close views.
CE-GRDN 2053, 1 Wed., Mar. 25, 7:00-9:30 pm, $70 (+ $5 materials fee, payable to instructor). M Penziner. #12992

Advanced Plant Identification in the Field
Spend time in the field practicing the use of taxonomic plant identification keys using field guides and discussions. Prerequisite: Plant Identification in the Field or equivalent coursework in botany. Meet in the Lady Bird Johnson Demonstration Garden on the college campus. This class will be held outdoors for the full two hours to botanize! Please dress appropriately for the weather.
CE-GRDN 2050, 1 Sat., May 2, 12:30-2:30 pm, $55. J Schuler. #13018

The Go Native U Certificate Program is a collaborative effort between Westchester Community College and The Native Plant Center. A percentage of tuition supports the work of The Native Plant Center.