Get gardening with the help of your local botanical gardens

The New York Botanical Gardens

When we asked our Facebook fans if they'd be getting their hands dirty in the garden this weekend, the answer was a resounding "Yes!"

We've talked about going garden hopping, but another inspirational way for first-time gardeners to get started—and hibernating gardeners to get re-started—is to check out local botanical garden events calendars for clinics, classes, and lectures. Many demonstrations and tutorials are free with garden admission. But some gardens, like The New York Botanical Gardens (NYBG), offer a more extensive curriculum for adults and awesome programs for kids.

The NYBG course catolog features Organic Lawn Care 101 ($47 for non-members; 1-day class) and Low Maintenance Gardening ($62 for non-members; 1-day class). Week-long and month-long classes in various topics are also offered, and Special Saturday Programs ($31 for non-members) are available (Gardening for Beginners and various container gardening topics). Not in NY? Go ahead and check your local botanical garden's website for upcoming events.

More of a distance learner? Classes not in your budget?  You can:

   > Check out thisoldhouse.com's Landscaping, Garden Planning, and Lawn Care feature packages

   > Subscribe to our Yard & Garden e-newsletter to get free tips, ideas, and step-by-steps in your inbox

   > Visit NYBG's Home Gardening Online