EVENTS
Butterfly Pavilion
Feb. 15: “Bugs We Love” offers exhibits and interactions with cockroaches, arachnids, butterflies and more, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Last entrance is at 4:15 p.m.) Included with regular admission of $9.50, $7.50 seniors 65+, $6.50 children ages 2-12, free for children under 2 and members. 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, 303-469-5441, butterflies.org
Larimer County Natural Resources
Deadline Feb. 20: Needs new volunteer naturalists to lead hikes, interact with the public and teach school groups. Programs include ecology, local history, geology and more. Training begins Feb. 26, the application deadline is Feb. 20. Call Heather at 970-619-4489 or e-mail hyoung@larimer.org
The Park People
Deadline March 7: The nonprofit has extended its application deadline for Denver homeowners to get a reduced-cost or free tree. Community forester training for those interested in becoming forestry leaders is also available. The application deadline is Feb. 27. Call or visit the website for more details on both programs. 303-722-6262, theparkpeople.org
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Colorado State Forest Service, Golden
Feb. 22: State foresters present “Using Seedling Trees for Conservation Plantings: Wind, Sound Barriers, Wildlife Habitats,” 9 a.m. Free. The class is also offered March 12 at 7 p.m. Golden District Office, 1504 Quaker St., 303-279-9757
Country Fair Garden Center — Arvada
Feb. 15: “Children’s Workshop: Painting Pots and Planting Seeds,” 10 a.m. $5; Feb. 22: “Cactus and Succulent Class,” 10 a.m. Free. Reservations required. 17201 W. 64th Ave., Arvada, 303-209-4394, countryfairgarden.com
Denver Botanic Gardens
Feb. 22: “Growing Roses in Colorado,” 10 a.m.-noon. $32, $27 members. Reservations required. 1007 York St., 720-865-3580,
Denver Urban Homesteading
Feb. 15: “Chicken-Keeping & Urban Homesteading,” 1-3:30 p.m. $35; “Homebrewing,” 9 a.m.-noon, $50; “Angora Rabbits for Fun and Fiber,” 2-3 p.m. $10, $5 children. Reservations required. 200 Santa Fe Drive, 303-825-0231, denverurbanhomesteading.com
The Gardens on Spring Creek
Feb. 15: “Building Dry Creek Beds/Drainage,” 10-11 a.m. $12, $10 members; “Building Retaining Walls,” 11 a.m.-noon, $12, $10 members; “Designing, Building and Planting Raised Beds for Vegetables,” 1-3 p.m. $18, $15 members. Reservations required. 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins, 970-416-2486, fcgov.com/gardens
Jared’s Nursery, Gift and Garden
Feb. 15: “Seed Starting Basics,” 10 a.m.; Feb. 22: “Landscape Design 101,” 10 a.m. Reservations recommended. Classes free, some have materials fee. 10500 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, 303-979-6022, jaredsgarden.com
Paulino Gardens
Feb. 22: “Cold Start” with Grow contributor Betty Cahill, 10:30 a.m. Free. Reservations required. 6300 N. Broadway, 303-429-8062, paulinogardens.com
Shelly’s Garden Country
Feb. 15: “Fairy Garden Workshop,” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $5; Feb. 22: “Urban Farming Class: Fertilization, Transplantation and Maintenance,” 10-11:30 a.m. $5. Reservations required. 4181 W. 120th Ave., Broomfield, 303-466-6761, shellysgardencountry.com
Tagawa Gardens
Feb. 15-16: Bird & Nature Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Feb. 15: “Kids, What’s Living in Your Dirt?,” 10:30-11:30 a.m.; “Birds Love Peanut Butter, Too!,” 11 a.m.-noon; “Birds of Prey” with HawkQuest, noon-1 p.m.; Feb. 16: “Owls of the World” with HawkQuest,” noon-1 p.m.; “Soil Building,” 2-3 p.m.; Feb. 22: “How to Plan & Design Your Vegetable Garden,” 11 a.m.-noon; “Rock Gardens and Alpine Plants: Bringing the Rockies Home!,” 2-3 p.m. 7711 S. Parker Road, Centennial, 303-690-4722,
Wilmore Outdoor Living Center
Feb. 15: “Honey Beekeeping,” 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $65, includes lunch; Feb. 22: “Seed Starting,” 10 a.m. Free. Reservations required. 711 E. County Line Road, Littleton, 303-795-5339, wilmorenurseries.com
EXHIBITS
Denver Botanic Gardens
Through Feb. 24: “Orchid Showcase,” more than 200 orchid plants with more than 1,000 blossoms, in the Orangery; Feb. 19-April 27: “Illusions in Glass: Magic Lantern Slides from the Helen Fowler Library Collection” in the Gates Garden Court Gallery. Exhibits included with DBG admission. 1007 York St., 720-865-3580,
CONTESTS
Birds & Blooms’ Biggest Fan Contest
Deadline: Feb. 28: Win a bird-feeding package and a trip. Details on the website.
Proven Winners’ Shrub Madness Plant Playoffs
March 3-April 4: The inaugural contest features a basketball bracket-styled tournament of 64 shrubs competing through six rounds to determine the winner of each match through popular vote. Voters will be eligible for prizes and a collection of the last four plants standing, “The Floral Four.” Details on the website.
SAVE THE DATE
Denver Botanic Gardens
March 1: “New Gardener Boot Camp,” 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Classes include “Garden Planning 101… where do I start,” “Soils 101,” “Beginning Vegetable Gardening” and “Annuals and Perennials for Color in the Garden.” $80, $60 members. Lunch included; reservations required. 1007 York St., botanicgardens.org/programs/lectures/new-gardener-boot-camp-0
Tree Diversity Conference ’14
March 7: “More. Tree. Types.” is the theme of the conference focusing on urban forests, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $60, $35 for registered students, includes lunch. Reservations required. Lindsay Auditorium, Room 281, Sturm Hall, University of Denver campus,
Mail info 10-14 days in advance to Garden Calendar, The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202; e-mail living@denverpost.com.
