University Classes

University of Utah's Lifelong Learning and Red Butte Garden cosponsor these courses. Registration through the University is required and class fees vary.

FOLLOW THE WILDFLOWERS (LLHG 489)

SATURDAYS, APR 19, MAY 17, JUN 21, JUL 19, AUG 16
9 AM - NOON
Follow the wildflower blooms across Northern Utah in this five-session class. We'll begin with April's first blooms at Stansbury Island and culminate our experience in the Albion Basin in August. We'll focus on the plant families common to each area, enjoying the beauty of Utah's native flora. Please meet at Stansbury Island trailhead at 8:50 AM; other meeting locations will be distributed. Bring a notebook to record your findings. Cosponsored with Lifelong Learning. Limited to 20 participants. Matthew Utley, Conservation Horticulturist, Tracy Aviary
MEMBERS (Sect 002) $107 special fee $3
NONMEMBERS (Sect 001) $119 special fee $3
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-LIFE (5433) or (801) 581-6464 or
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

NAME THAT PLANT (LLHG 495)

WEDNESDAYS, APR 23 - MAY 28
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Deepen your knowledge and appreciation of plants by learning how they are identified. We'll cover the basic anatomy of flowers, leaves, fruits, and other important diagnostic features, examine the features of the most common plant families you'll encounter in Utah, and see where these groups fit into the flora of the world. In the classroom and field, we’ll identify plants using various techniques. Greg Mauer, botanist
MEMBERS (sect 002) $122 special fee $8
NONMEMBERS (sect 001) $135 special fee $8
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-LIFE (5433) or (801) 581-6464 or
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

BALCONY GARDENS (LLHG 553)

TUESDAY, MAY 13 - 20
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
A balcony garden extends the joys of gardening to those with limited "acreage". Learn how to transform your balcony, deck, or patio into more than just barbeque space or bike storage by creating a soothing outdoor retreat. We'll cover topics including how to select containers and plants that utilize every available bit of growing space, as well as practices to keep your garden thriving all season long. Limited to 20 participants.
MEMBERS (sect 002) $44 special fee $3
NONMEMBERS (sect 001) $49 special fee $3
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801)587-LIFE (5433) or 581-6464 or
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

PRIVACY PLANTINGS (LLHG 552)

THURSDAY, MAY 15 - 22
6:30 PM- 8:30PM
How do you create a private space where you can enjoy breakfast or dinner without others looking in? This 2 session class will look at how plants can be used in the landscape to create privacy or a screen to block neighboring traffic. We'll discuss plants suited for screen plantings, vines that will grow and cover arbors, and plants suited for narrow spaces.
MEMBERS (sect 002) $44 special fee $3
NONMEMBERS (sect 001)$49 special fee $3
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801)587-LIFE (5433) or 581-6464 or
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

VEGETABLE CONTAINER GARDENING (LLHG 546)

THURSDAY, MAY 29
6:30 PM- 9PM
Do you lack sufficient sun or garden space for a vegetable or herb garden? Don't let that stop you from growing succulent, flavorful, fresh herbs and veggies. Many herbs and vegetables thrive in containers, which you can position or move to take advantage of sunny spots. You'll learn which vegetables and herbs do well in containers as well as tricks to keep them producing throughout summer and into fall.
MEMBERS (sect 002): $32, sect 002
NONMEMBERS (sect 001): $35, section 001
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801)587-LIFE (5433) or 581-6464 or
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

FABULOUS FRUIT TREES (LLHG 554)

THURSDAYS, JUNE 5-12
6:30 PM - 8:30PM
Apples, cherries, apricots, pears, and plums—how do you get the best from your fruit tree each year? Learn to care for your existing trees and give new ones a healthy start as we cover planting, pruning, thinning, pollination needs, and recommended varieties. Week two will meet outside for a little hands-on experience. Please bring loppers and pruners to this class. Co-sponsored with Life Long Learning. Limited to 16 participants.
Michelle Cook, horticulturist and landscape designer
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $45 SPECIAL FEE $2
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $49 SPECIAL FEE $2
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

PLEIN-AIR LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP: WATERCOLOR (LLART 170)

THURSDAYS, JUNE 5-12
5:30 PM - 8:30PM
Enjoy warm summer evenings as you create small-scale landscapes at Red Butte Garden. Students will view demonstrations and receive exercises in washes, blending, wet in wet, lifting, brushstrokes, glazing, and drybrush. Instruction in composition, positive and negative space, value studies, and color theory will round out the offering. Painting topics will include landscapes, still life, and water reflections. You are responsible for your materials; you may find a list online, or call 587-5433. Co-sponsored with Life Long Learning. Meet in Red Butte Garden Courtyard. Limited to 10 participants.
Richard Vroom, artist
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $130
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $145
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

STONE IN THE LANDSCAPE (LLHG 533)

SATURDAY, JUNE 7
9 AM - NOON
Walls for changing levels or borders, paths that invite exploration of garden “rooms,” or dramatic granite boulders that punctuate the landscape—stone creates texture, structure, and a backdrop for an abundance of plantings that depend upon its special characteristics. Learn which stone works best for which purpose and see a host of creative ideas for using stone in any landscape. Co-sponsored with Lifelong Learning. Limited to 20 participants.
Dale Torgerson, Landscape Architect
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $35
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $39
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

GARDEN MAINTENANCE (LLHG 547)

TUESDAYS, JUNE 17 - 24
7 PM - 9 PM
Gardens grow, and that can be both a blessing and a curse. The fresh young blooms of spring fade, stalks bend and droop, groundcover runs amok, and spent flowers turn brown on their stems. What’s a gardener to do? With a little maintenance know-how, you can extend the bloom of some favorite perennials, get a second bloom from others, control invasive plantings, prop or strengthen weak stems, and overall neaten your summer and fall garden. Join us for two evenings in the garden as we get hands-on experience deadheading, pruning, thinning, dividing, and transplanting—and keep your garden looking grand all season long. Co-sponsored with Lifelong Learning. Limited to 16 participants.
Crystal Reece, Horticulturist
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $45 SPECIAL FEE $3
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $49 SPECIAL FEE $3
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

GARDEN TOUR: NOOKS AND INTIMATE SPACES (LLHG 545)

SATURDAY, JUNE 21
9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
The favorite spot in a garden is often a small area that’s tucked away or hidden from the rest of the yard. A small water feature, garden art, birdbath, or chair or bench can make this area even more special, turning it into a soothing place to get away or have a private conversation with a friend. Join us as we explore intimate garden spaces in Salt Lake City. We’ll look at the landscape design, plantings, and added features that turn each nook into a restorative garden spot. Special fee includes a box lunch and van transportation from Red Butte Garden. Co-sponsored by Lifelong Learning. Limited to 15 participants.
Mandy Self, Horticulturist
Patrick Newman, Red Butte Garden Programs Director
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $35 SPECIAL FEE $12
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $39 SPECIAL FEE $12
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF UTAH (LLHG 542)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
6 PM - 9 PM
You don’t need to travel to a tropical rainforest to discover plants with therapeutic and medicinal value—many thrive right here in Utah. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to identify, harvest, and preserve useful plants as well as make medicinal preparations. Class will include a walk in Red Butte Garden and the nearby foothills to assist you with plant identification. Co-sponsored with Lifelong Learning. Limited to 25 participants.
Fritz Kollman, Red Butte Garden Horticulturist
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $35
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $39
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning

PRESERVING FRESH HERBS (LLHG 548)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20
6:30 PM - 9 PM
You know how much flavor the fresh herbs you grow add to your summer meals. But did you know that through proper harvesting and preservation techniques, you can enjoy the essence of that flavor and fragrance all winter long? In this class you’ll learn the optimal time to harvest your herbs, techniques for preserving them for later use, and the basics of cooking with both fresh and dried herbs. A tour of Red Butte Garden’s herb garden and tasty snacks made with herbs will round out our experience. Diane “the Herb Chef” Sheya has an extensive home herb garden and considers using fresh herbs from her culinary garden as one of life’s most satisfying experiences. Diane can be seen Thursdays from 11:00 AM to noon on FOX 13’s “Live at Eleven,” where she appears weekly as a guest chef. Co-sponsored with Lifelong Learning. Limited to 20 participants.
Diane Sheya, Herb Chef
MEMBERS (SECT. 002) $32 SPECIAL FEE $5
NONMEMBERS (SECT. 001) $35 SPECIAL FEE $5
REGISTRATION REQUIRED (801) 587-5433 OR
online at The University of Utah Lifelong Learning