Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of home gardening, from plant identification and pruning, to soil and plant care? Are you an experienced gardener who is looking to improve your skills or gain a deeper understanding of important concepts like pruning, sustainability or soil testing/management? Join us for this yearlong series of workshops and classes designed to give gardeners, of all experience levels, the tools and knowledge to properly care for their gardens. No matter how small or large your garden is, you will gain new insights through this series of classes and hands-on workshops that take place here at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.

This class will provide an introductory review for the home gardener of plants and their parts, botanical nomenclature, and plant identification of leaves and flowers through the use of horticultural language. It will also cover soil science, sustainability, and biodiversity in the garden, and the critical plant/insect/animal systems that make it all happen. This is a fun and informative class that has just enough science and provides links to follow-up in your own garden. It is recommended that participants take this class prior to taking either of the in-garden Plant ID classes.

This class is a highly recommended pre-requisite for Plant ID: Spring Flowering Ornamental Shrubs (June 1^st- 10:30am and 1pm) and Plant ID: Evergreen (Coniferous) and Deciduous Trees (June 29^th - 10:30am and 1pm).

Instructor: Reed Pugh

All classes will be taught by Reed Pugh of Barking Dog Gardens. Reed's first career was in advertising in New York City, but after moving to San Francisco over 25 years ago, he made a life-altering change and went back to school for ornamental horticulture. Over the years in San Francisco and Boston he has worked in multiple nurseries, had his own design, installation and maintenance businesses on both coasts, managed a 30-acre historic private estate in Brookline, and managed one of the top fine-gardening companies in New England. Reed is a Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist (MCH), and for the past few years he has been teaching our very popular Seasonal Pruning series.

$40 Member Adult; $55 Adult (includes admission to the Garden)

To register for a class:

1. Please log in or create an account.  The “Log In/Create Account” button is in the bar at the top right of the page.
2. Return to the class you wish to attend.
3. If you have not already done so, you will need to scroll to the bottom of the page and add Attendees.  You will need to add yourself and anyone else you wish to register. 
4. If you have already done this, the Attendees will be listed below and simply check the box next to the desired attendees.  Make sure to choose the correct price category for each participant.  This can be found in the drop-down menu on the right-hand side of the screen, next to the name of the participant.
5. If you need assistance, please contact the Registrar at 508-869-6111 x 174 or email at registrar@nebg.org.  Please note that the Registrar is a part-time position, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

Please note: Beginning in October 2023, renovations and construction will be taking place in and around the Visitor Center. While every effort will be made to minimize the impact on our programs, there may be some noise, dust, or other disruptions.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Registrar at registrar@nebg.org.