The John and Doris Andrews Horticulture Certificate Program

The Andrews Horticulture Program gives you, the home gardener, the knowledge and skill to select plants and to successfully cultivate your home landscape. The curriculum assists you in developing the gardening techniques best suited for Ohio gardens. Learn through lectures, engaging labs outside at Fellows Riverside Gardens, and hands-on volunteer work. Enjoy learning from local and regional experts and sharing your experiences with other gardeners.

Each course is concentrated within four sessions to be accessible to a broader audience and fit into busy lives. Participants also have the option to receive a certificate of completion for each course. In order to qualify for the certificate, each session must be attended, along with eight hours of garden-related volunteer work at Fellows Riverside Gardens. The volunteer aspect allows one to develop more hands-on knowledge and skills, as well as providing community support to one of the Mahoning Valley’s gems.

For more information or to register, call Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116.

Upcoming Courses

The Fundamentals of Green Gardening

3/26, 4/9, 4/16 & 4/30 | Tuesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

As gardeners, we are stewards of the environment, whether we cultivate a postage stamp lawn or several acres. The Fundamentals of Green Gardening course covers ways to take your home landscape to the next level of stewardship. Sessions include: ways to maintain healthy soil, exploring innovative design, and learning about integrate pest management, native plants, and pollinator gardening. Deadline is 3/12. Fee: $45 R; $55 NR

Sessions

  • 3/26 – Soils & Sustainable Basics
  • 4/9 – Integrated Pest Management
  • 4/16 – Innovative Design
  • 4/30 – Pollinator Landscapes

Instructors

Sabrena Schweyer, FAPLD, Salsbury-Schweyer, Inc.

Denise Ellsworth, Program Director, OSU Department of Entomology – Wooster 

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Garden Coach, Writer and Speaker, Hoosier Gardener 

Steve Prebonik, CPSS, CPSC, Soil Scientist, Ohio Department of Agriculture

Summer Flower Gardening in Ohio & Western PA

Starts May 2019 | Tuesdays, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Summer flower gardens are one of the highlights of the home landscape here in Ohio and Western PA. This course digs deep into building a palette of flowers that will enhance and create definition for your home landscape. Sessions include: basic preparations for summer flowers, an in-depth look at perennials for our region, and how to create designs for annuals and container gardens.

Sessions

  • Gardening Basics
  • Annuals
  • Container Gardening
  • Perennials
Trees & Shrubs for the Home Landscape

Fall 2019

Trees and shrubs provide the framework for gardens. How we choose and plant them affects the future success and longevity of the home landscape. Sessions include: identification and choosing the best specimens for Northeast Ohio and proper planting. Essential maintenance practices and pruning will also be covered.

Sessions

  • Name That Tree (and Shrub)
  • Planting and Maintenance
  • Pruning
  • Creating a Treasured Landscape
Indoor Gardening

Winter/Spring 2020

Successful indoor gardening requires knowledge of both plant material and growing techniques. Learn how to select the right plants for your indoor space. Over four sessions, the course will cover houseplant basics, including light levels and temperatures, plus unique indoor specimens, such as orchids, succulents, and more.

Sessions

  • Houseplant Care
  • Festive Flowers & Foliage / Bromeliads
  • Cultivating Orchids
  • Succulents & Cacti
Garden Design for the Home Landscape

Summer/Fall 2020

Design is a process that uses science and art to solve problems and create places of beauty and use. During this course, learn simple steps to design a garden space that is ideal for your needs and for your landscape. Explore ways to incorporate color, hardscapes, sculpture, and art of all kinds to enhance and beautify your garden.

Sessions

  • Simple, Successful Garden Design
  • Designing with Color
  • Hardscaping / The Sculptor’s Garden
  • Art in the Garden

Registration Procedure

Registrations for courses are processed on a first come/first serve basis in the order that payment is received. Payment is due upon registration. Registration is required two weeks prior to the beginning of the course. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and checks are accepted. Call Fellows Riverside Gardens to register or for more information at 330-740-7116.

Cancellation Procedure

Cancellations less than two weeks prior to a course are non-refundable. Cancellations less than four weeks, but before the two week deadline will have a 10% cancellation fee. Cancellations made four weeks prior will receive a full refund. Courses are held rain, snow, or shine. A full refund will be issued if the course is cancelled by Mill Creek MetroParks.

Volunteer Option

If you would like to qualify for the certificate of completion for your registered course, follow these steps:

Session Coupon

Each course offers four sessions of valuable horticulture knowledge, however it is understandable that participants may not be able to attend all of the sessions. If something arises that prevents you from attending all four sessions, you may request a session coupon for the one you missed. The next time that the course is offered, call Fellows Riverside Gardens to reserve your seat in that session and present your coupon. Courses are typically offered every other year.

Scholarships will be available through the Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens, information available at www.friendsoffellows.org or 330.740.7116 x 213. The Andrews Horticulture Program is graciously sponsored by the John S. and Doris M. Andrews Education Endowment through the Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens.

Scholarship Application