Garden Classes for Your Garden Dreams
Start your 2025 plans with a gardening video class!
Garden dreams…
Many of my own gardening dreams begin in the cold months of the year. While the snow blows wildly and “winter's dregs (make) desolate” all that was once green and growing, I like to instead think about what is to come.1 It is a survival skill, I feel sure, for surviving the long winters that we experience in northwestern Pennsylvania.
In the interest of helping you too, my dear readers, survive your own cold winter weather, I propose some pleasant garden dreams for your waking January hours this month. I have added several video-based gardening classes in the last eighteen months to JWG, and this is the perfect time to make a cup of hot cocoa, with a side of printed handouts if you like, and settle in for some garden dreaming.
You may have noticed that I enjoy plants and gardens a little bit. The only thing that I enjoy more, is helping other people to grow more plants and make gardens. Most of these classes have been given to large audiences of gardeners who have filled notebooks with plants and ideas for a new season of gardening. And I hope they will help you do that as well!
To find the gardening video classes in the navigation bar at the top of JWG, go to “Classes.” All of my video-based garden classes can be accessed there. I will also feature each garden class below:
“Julie - Thank you so much for this talk! I learned SO much. We recently bought 4 acres and are in the process of building. This is going to help me create a space for my children, my husband, and I to flourish. Thank you!”—Jessica S.
What if you could make the garden you have been dreaming about?
That is the premise of my most popular gardening class which gives you an introduction to garden design. What if? Even with your constraints, your small budget and little bit of time, what if you could make a space that your family would enjoy for years to come.
Gardening with Redemptive Imagination
Gardening with Redemptive Imagination - 30 minute video class with 6 pages of handouts
“I love the class! So many things to think about. I have big dreams for my new garden!” —Celeste
As you might have guessed, this is a fundamental topic before going on to other thoughts about how to design your garden. Even for experienced gardeners, this is a good place to start as I explain the fundamental differences between the way Americans and British gardeners think about their properties. Definitely worth thinking about!
Where is your Garden?
Where is your Garden? - 19 minutes about a holistic vision for your property
“It is so interesting to see these differences in the language we use about our gardens. I am in the UK and definitely see all the space around my home as my garden…” —Joy E.
I created this popular class two years ago to share with a large group of gardeners at a local church, and it was such a hit that I have had many people asking for a way to access it! In part one, we will look at the connection that can happen inside of a garden between people and plants, and I will share a few inspirational women gardeners who have encouraged others to live closely with plants. Part two is all about garden design ideas that you can adapt to fit your own space, and part three is for practical tips on creating your garden.
Gardens as Sacred Spaces
Gardens as Sacred Spaces: Part 1 - 20 minute video with 3 page handout
Gardens as Sacred Spaces: Part 2 - 27 minute video with 3 page handout
Gardens as Sacred Spaces: Part 3 - 16 minute video with 3 page handout
“Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this…” —Helen B.
In April of last year I gave a tour around Havenwood to a class of college students who were in an Environmental Ethics class. As I prepared to give a little talk to introduce our garden, I realized that two things really stood out to me about the way we are gardening at Havenwood.
In part one, we will talk about trying to create as many different growing conditions in the garden as we can, to increase biodiversity. In part two, we will talk about how we can honor our places by making thoughtful improvements that do not degrade some areas while building up others.
Guiding Principles of Sustainable Gardening
Biodiversity - 11 minute video
Honoring Place - 12 minute video
“Julie’s expertise in garden design is second only to her contagious love for green and growing things…” —Lanier Ivester
This is a topic that is near to my heart! In my most plant-heavy class, we will cover growing interesting plants in creative ways. But most importantly, you will learn to first value the garden that you already have! This class is a favorite of master gardening groups, as it will give you a load of new native plants to try and ideas for how to handle your own tough garden spots.
Botanical Opportunities
Botanical Opportunities for Unexpected Places: Part 1 - 35 minute video
Botanical Opportunities for Unexpected Places: Part 2 - 24 minute video
Botanical Opportunities for Unexpected Places: Part 3 - 23 minute video
“Julie Witmer is the real deal. We’ve been profoundly blessed by her care for creation, her passion for gardens as places of beauty, work, and rest…” —Andrew Peterson
“Watching Julie's presentation right now. Very helpful for me as I plan our outdoor space. Lots of new awareness!” —Donna M.
What are your garden dreams for 2025? Love to hear!
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The Darkling Thrush by Thomas Hardy