CAREFREE – The quiet beauty of Carefree Desert Gardens has been enchanting and educating visitors and residents to the wonders of the desert landscape since its creation in 2002. Now in its 16th season, the Town of Carefree is pleased to announce the return of its popular annual garden seminars. Offerings will be held monthly from Jan.–April 2019, on the second Saturday of the month beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Town Council Chambers, 33 Easy St.
Each seminar focuses on a gardening topic of interest, and features an expert speaker:
Saturday, Jan. 12
Living With Urban Wildlife
Guest Speaker: Darren Julian, Urban Wildlife Specialist for Ariz. Game and Fish Department.
Arizona is home to a variety of wildlife species, and as their natural habitats and native food sources shrink, “urban wildlife” begins adapting to life in our neighborhoods, which can be both enjoyable and problematic. Mr. Julian will address the many issues surrounding this interesting topic.
Saturday, Feb. 9
Legumes: More Than Just Beans
Guest Speaker: Dr. Marty Wojciechowski, Associate Professor at Arizona State University specializing in legume research.
With more than 19,500 species worldwide, legumes are more diverse than other flowering plant families. Dr. Wojciechowski will discuss the unique aspects of legume biology, their diversity in the Southwest, and their importance in agriculture, horticulture and ecology.
Saturday, March 9
Preparing Your Trees for Summer: What and When You Need To Know
Guest Speaker: Sarah Maitland, Certified Arborist and Plant Health Care Manager for Integrity Tree Service.
Valley of the Sun residents are well aware of what damages excessive heat and monsoon winds can do to desert trees. Learn how you can prepare your landscape to withstand harsh weather conditions and help prevent significant storm damages from occurring.
Saturday, April 13
Responsible Gardening in Severe Drought
Guest Speaker: Rick Cober, ISA Certified Arborist and owner of Tree Theory Landscape Asset Management.
How do we deal with drought in our landscapes? By learning more about the properties found in our soil and water, along with better water management, desert gardens can remain healthy in harsh, dry conditions.
Programs traditionally include a plant raffle, and a suggested minimum donation of $5 is requested for the continued support of these programs. Early attendance is suggested.
For information, visit Carefree.org, or call 480-488-3686.
