Fall at Van Vleck, Partner Program with the Montclair Institute for Lifelong Learning

11:30 AM- 12:30 pm on Thursdays,  Sept 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, Nov 2

To register please visit MILL’s link 

9/21 – Cold season crops

Cool season crops are typically planted on the bookends of the year, in the spring and in the fall.  They thrive in cooler temperatures and can survive light frost.  When September arrives, it can be easy for a vegetable gardener to begin thinking about the end of the growing season, but late summer is also the perfect time for a fresh start in the garden.   Come see what we’re planting in our edible garden that will mature and be ready for harvest this fall, winter, or next spring.  This class will take place outdoors.  Please dress for the weather and choose appropriate footwear.

 9/28 – Gardening for wildlife

There are plenty of little things everyone can do to sustain the biodiversity around us.  When we support the complex interactions between plants and animals, we become more fully connected to nature ourselves.  Learn how to incorporate common-sense gardening practices and choose beautiful plants to make your outdoor space more hospitable for animals and insects.  This class will take place outdoors.  Please dress for the weather and choose appropriate footwear.

10/5 – Not putting garden to bed

Join Van Vleck’s Director of Horticulture for a behind the scenes look at how we keep the garden beautiful and prepare our plants for winter.  Discover some reasons doing LESS at this time of the year will give you MORE to enjoy.  This class will take place outdoors.  Please dress for the weather and choose appropriate footwear.

10/12 – Botany of fruits

You are invited to explore the seed-bearing structures of plants.  Marvel at the diversity achieved by just a few basic components.  Participants will increase their familiarity with fruit related botanical vocabulary through dissection of samples from the Van Vleck grounds and beyond. Attendees are invited to bring samples to explore with the group.  This class will take place indoors (education center).

10/19 – Pressed flower bookmarks

Enjoy happy garden memories for years to come.  Awaken your creativity using a variety of samples we collected from the Van Vleck gardens to make a one-of-a-kind bookmark.  All supplies provided.  This class will take place indoors (education center).

11/2 – Tree ID – Oaks

Join Laura Roberts, ISA certified arborist and NJ licensed tree expert, for another venture into tree identification.  Sharpen your observation skills by getting to know trees as if you were meeting a new friend.  Learn where and how to look for the common characteristics of the genus and how to distinguish one species from another within the genus Quercus.  This class will take place outdoors.  Please dress for the weather and choose appropriate footwear.