Maximize Your Summer: Join My Native Plant Gardening Classes Before Fall

Summer offers a unique chance to prepare for success with native plants and trees. The month of May marks the last window to plant natives before the summer heat sets in, but the real planting season arrives in the fall. To make the most of this opportunity, you can spend your summer learning how to garden with native plants through my four core classes. Each class builds your knowledge and skills step-by-step, setting you up for a thriving garden when fall planting begins.

Why May Is Your Last Chance to Plant Natives This Season

Native plants are adapted to local climates and soils, making them resilient and low-maintenance once established. However, planting them too late in the season can stress the plants due to high summer temperatures and dry conditions. May is the final month to plant natives and give them enough time to develop roots before the heat arrives.

If you miss this window, your plants may struggle or require extra watering and care. That’s why it’s crucial to act now if you want to start planting this year. But don’t worry if you can’t plant in May—fall is the prime season for native planting, offering cooler temperatures and more rainfall.

Fall Is the Best Season for Planting Native Gardens

Fall provides ideal conditions for native plants to establish. Cooler weather reduces stress, and natural rainfall helps roots grow deep and strong. Planting in fall means your garden will be ready to flourish the following spring.

Planning ahead during summer ensures you’re ready to plant in fall. This preparation includes designing your garden, selecting the right plants, and preparing your site properly. Taking the time now to learn these skills will save you effort and increase your garden’s success.

Take Advantage of Summer to Build Your Native Gardening Skills

Summer is the perfect time to invest in your gardening knowledge. My four core classes cover everything you need to know about gardening with native plants and trees.

Each class is affordable and designed for a maximum of 8-10 people to ensure an intimate learning environment where you receive personalized, hands-on guidance and the opportunity to have your specific project questions addressed.

Here’s the recommended order to take the classes (or just take the ones you need) for the best learning experience:

• Introduction to Gardening with Native Plants

This class is a great place to start because it provides a supportive, beginner-friendly environment that clarifies the core "what" and "why" of native species while debunking common myths and offering practical resources to help you begin your own eco-friendly garden.

• Designing Your Very Own Garden

This workshop is an ideal next step because it moves beyond introductory concepts into a hands-on application, guiding you through a structured four-step process to create a personalized, draft layout for your own garden.

• Preparing Your Site and Planting for Success

By attending this session in mid-to-late summer, you allow yourself the necessary months-long lead time to clear turf and weeds, ensuring your site is fully prepped and your irrigation plan is in place before the fall planting window begins.

• Selecting and Combining Native Plants and Trees

Lastly, take this class before purchasing your plants and seeds to ensure they are strategically grouped by light and water needs for maximum biodiversity. Learning to combine keystone species effectively will help you build a resilient, year-round landscape that sustains local pollinators..

Each class builds on the previous one, so following this sequence will give you a clear path from beginner to confident native gardener. That said, you’re always welcome to skip around or only take the ones that you need.

How to Register and Learn More

You can find detailed information about each class and register online at Eventbrite. Classes fill up quickly, so it’s best to sign up early to secure your spot.

By dedicating your summer to learning, you’ll be ready to plant a thriving native garden in the fall. This approach saves time, reduces mistakes, and helps you create a garden that supports local wildlife and requires less water and maintenance.