Free and low-cost local classes offer expert advice to new and seasoned gardeners alike.

ABCs of Landscape Watering

On average, up to 70% of your home’s annual water use goes to outdoor landscaping. This class will give you the tools to water your desert landscape more efficiently. This free water-smart workshop is open to all Town of Queen Creek water customers. Seating is limited, and registration is required.

• Location: Queen Creek Library
• 21802 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek
• Organizer: Town of Queen Creek
• Date: Sat., April 5
• Time: 9 a.m.-11a.m.
• Cost: Free with registration
• Info/Register: queencreekaz.gov

Creative Container Gardening

Container gardening is an easy way to add color and interest to your outdoor space. From the newest varieties of annual flowers to shrubs, succulents and even vegetables, attendees will rethink what can be grown in a pot. Noelle Johnson, aka, AZ Plant Lady (and Phoenix Home & Garden contributor), will share her best tips for creating, growing and maintaining a beautiful container garden, along with the best types of containers to use.

• Location: Dobson Ranch Library
• 2425 S. Dobson Road, Mesa
• Organizer: City of Mesa
• Date: Sat., April 5
• Time: 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
• Cost: Free
• Info/Register: events.mesalibrary.org

Orchid 101: Potting and Intro to Orchid Care

In this class for beginners and plant enthusiasts alike, you will explore the essentials of selecting the right medium, fertilizer and techniques for growing orchids in the desert. Learn tips for repotting these beautiful blooms and caring for them at home from experts at the Desert Valley Orchid Society. Garden admission is included with class purchase.

• Location: Desert Botanical Garden
• 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
• Organizer: Desert Botanical Garden
• Date: Fri., April 11; Fri., April 25; Fri., May 9
• Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Cost: $30 for DBG members; $40 for non-members
• Info/Register: ticketing.dbg.org/events

Desert Tree Benefits

Desert trees play a vital role in our ecosystem, from providing shade and cooling to enhancing soil health and supporting local wildlife. Instructed by a certified arborist, discover unique desert trees and how to maximize their beauty and sustainability in your landscape.

• Location: Peoria Rio Vista Recreation Center, 8866 W. Thunderbird Road, Peoria
• Organizer: City of Peoria
• Date: Sat., April 12
• Time: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Cost: Free with registration
• Info/Register: cityofpeoriaaz.perfectmind.com

Desert Top Hits: Plants for Your Landscape

Whether you desire blooming plants for color and pollinators or the simple beauty of cacti, agave and other desert plants, master gardener Katie Coates will review some favorite native and desert-adapted plants. Knowledge of exposure, size, growth characteristics and habitat benefits is key to creating a beautiful outdoor landscape.

• Location: Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix
• Organizer: University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
• Date: Sun., April 13
• Time: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Cost: $15
• Info/Register: extension.arizona.edu/events

Bonsai for Beginners

Training bonsai trees is a fascinating art form that combines horticultural techniques and Japanese aesthetics. In this lecture for beginners from members of the Phoenix Bonsai Society, you will learn all aspects of the art of bonsai, including its history, techniques, how to choose a plant and pot and the keys to basic maintenance for the desert climate.

• Location: Japanese Friendship Garden 1125 N. 3rd Ave., Phoenix
• Organizer: Japanese Friendship Garden
• Date: Sun., April 13
• Time: 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Cost: $20
• Info/Register: japanesefriendshipgarden.org/event-details

Heat-Resilient Landscapes

Rising summer temperatures add additional stress to plants in your garden. Respected landscape architect Judy Mielke presents strategies to help plants become more resilient to hot temperatures. In this workshop, Mielke will share her favorite attractive heat-proof plants and other ways to minimize the effects of the long, hot desert summer.

• Location: Downtown Library
• 22 S. Delaware St., Chandler
• Organizer: City of Chandler
• Date: Mon., April 14
• Time: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free with registration
• Info/Register: chandleraz.gov/events/heat-resilient-landscapes

Basic Yard Makeover

Whether you’re planning a simple spruce-up or a complete yard update, this class from master gardener and certified arborist Cathy Rymer will give you the tools and inspiration to complete the task, including design, incorporating color, creating defined spaces or “outdoor rooms,” irrigation, removing or converting turf areas, rainwater harvesting and more.

• Location: Zoom
• Organizer: University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
• Date: Thurs., April 17
• Time: 6:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
• Cost: $15
• Info/Register: extension.arizona.edu/events

Desert Tree Care

Desert trees provide many benefits, including clean air, energy and water conservation; shade and wildlife habitats; and reduction of stormwater runoff. Familiarize yourself with proper tree selection, planting, deep watering, basic pruning and maintenance with certified arborist and manager from Elgin Nursery and Tree Farm, Jonathan Manning.

• Location: Glendale Main Library
• 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale
• Organizer: City of Glendale
• Date: Mon., April 21
• Time: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free with registration
• Info/Register: glendaleaz.com

Growing Cacti/Succulents in the Desert

Noelle Johnson will share everything you need to know about choosing and caring for cacti and succulents. Discover which varieties thrive in our conditions, along with simple, effective tips for watering, planting and maintaining these low-water-use plants.

• Location: Sunset Library
• 4930 W. Ray Road, Chandler
• Organizer: City of Chandler
• Date: Wed., April 23
• Time: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free with registration
• Info/Register: chandleraz.gov/events

Going with the Flow: Ollas and Rainwater Harvesting

Olla irrigation is an ancient and sustainable method of watering plants using unglazed clay pots buried in the soil. This method is highly efficient, reduces water waste and helps prevent overwatering and underwatering. Master gardener Mary Crenshaw will also discuss rainwater harvesting for later use.

• Location: Maricopa County Cooperative Extension, 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix
• Organizer: University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
• Date: Sun., May 4
• Time: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
• Cost: $15
• Info/Register: extension.arizona.edu/events

Garden Signature: Summer Survival

Desert plants are no strangers to scorching heat and dry spells, but even they can struggle when a prolonged heatwave or drought strikes. Identify how to keep plants healthy during those sizzling summers. Angelica Elliott will show you how to select the most resilient desert plants that can survive summer heat with minimal pampering. Garden admission is included with class purchase.

• Location: Desert Botanical Garden
• 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
• Organizer: Desert Botanical Garden
• Date: Tues., May 6
• Time: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
• Cost: $30 for DBG members; $40 for non-members
• Info/Register: dbg.org/events

Drip Irrigation Basics

Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to water plants in the desert. Explore the basic components of a drip system, important irrigation controller functions, plant watering depths and simple repair and troubleshooting tips with certified arborist and manager from Elgin Nursery and Tree Farm, Jonathan Manning.

• Location: Glendale Main Library
• 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale
• Organizer: City of Glendale
• Date: Thurs., May 15
• Time: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Cost: Free with registration
• Info/Register: glendaleaz.com

Summer Flowers: It’s So Hot, What Do I Plant?

Many Valley gardeners are hesitant to plant flowers in the hottest summer months, but master gardener Amber Hughes will show you which varieties are good for summer color in the ground or a container and how much sun the specific plants need or can tolerate.

• Location: Zoom
• Organizer: University of Arizona Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
• Date: Thurs., May 15
• Time: 6:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m.
• Cost: $15
• Info/Register: extension.arizona.edu/events

It’s a Family Thing: Vegetable Plant Families and Why It Matters

Learn how the vegetable plant community is organized and how applying that information can help gardeners avoid soil-borne diseases and improve chances for successful vegetable gardening by digging a little deeper and learning the botany of certain plants. Instructed by Emily Heller. Garden admission is included with class purchase.

• Location: Desert Botanical Garden
• 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
• Organizer: Desert Botanical Garden
• Date: Thurs., May 15
• Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $30 DBG for members; $40 for non-members
• Info/Register: dbg.org/events

Summer Gardening in the Phoenix Area

Gardening during the summer in Phoenix can be a challenge. Prepare your garden for the upcoming heat and know what to expect for the monsoon season. This class will cover what vegetable, herb and flower varieties are appropriate for planting and how to care for them. Participants will take home some vegetables and flower seeds appropriate for summer planting. Instructed by Melissa Kruse-Peeples. Garden admission is included with class purchase.

• Location: Desert Botanical Garden
• 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
• Organizer: Desert Botanical Garden
• Date: Sat., May 17
• Time: 10 a.m.-noon
• Cost: $30 for DBG members; $40 for non-members
• Info/Register: ticketing.dbg.org/events

Hotter and Drier: Exploring a New Mindset for Gardening in the Low Desert

Soaring temperatures and unreliable rainfall are creating bigger problems for gardeners. The class will explore modifying the planting calendar, adopting practices seen in drier deserts in Arizona and globally, growing new varieties that are heat- and drought-tolerant and using effective shade systems and irrigation techniques and strategies. Instructed by Emily Heller. Garden admission is included with class purchase.

• Location: Desert Botanical Garden
• 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix
• Organizer: Desert Botanical Garden
• Date: Tues., May 20
• Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Cost: $30 for DBG members; $40 for non-members
• Info/Register: ticketing.dbg.org/events