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Prairie Up Workshop Design Series

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January 28 - February 18, 2023

Workshop limited to the first 15 registrants

Join author and designer Benjamin Vogt in a 4-week workshop where you build up new garden knowledge and skills, culminating in your very own garden design using principles we discuss each week.

In this series you will learn the fundamentals of creating a new bed or reviving an older one, with novel ways to look at landscape prep and management that’s more sustainable while letting plants lead the design. We’ll also blend some traditional aesthetic practices with wilder plant communities so our garden space appeals equally to wildlife and people.

Each session will be followed by a generous Q&A period so we make sure to address everyone’s ideas. Additionally, the sessions will be recorded and viewable for two months after the conclusion of the series. Every workshop member will receive a complimentary signed copy of Benjamin’s new book Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design (USA addresses only).

Join us for an intensive yet collegial workshop for all skill levels that will have you ready for spring.

Register

Sessions

Week 1 – January 28 at 1-2:30p (cst)
Fundamentals of Garden Layers
Dive in to nature by exploring the various layers in a natural garden, what we can learn from wild plant communities that applies to the home landscape, and some of the plants and management to employ as we guide the space forward over the first few years. This will be a jam-packed lecture.
 
Week 2 – February 4 at 1-2:30p (cst)
Introduction to Matrix Design
There are many ways to lay out and organize a garden, but the matrix system comes closet to replicating natural plant communities while giving us an actionable and easy-to-follow plan to begin with. In this session we’ll learn what a matrix is, how to plant and manage it, some of the best plants to use, then look at a wide variety of example from a plethora of designers.
 
Week 3 – February 11 at 1-2:30p (cst)
Designing With Common Nursery Plants
While we’re sure to discuss where to buy native plants in this session, the reality is that the most easily-accessible plants are often at big-box stores are larger nurseries. By looking carefully at plant behavior and how to use it to create a sustainable, low-maintenance space, we’ll go through a list of commonly-available native plants and put them together into a cohesive garden plan that works in every season. This lecture will set us up to create our own individual garden plans based on parameters laid out by Benjamin.
 
Week 4 – February 18 at 1-3p (cst)
Design Charrette
In the final session we will share as many of our own garden plans as possible, discussing the process of researching plants and matching them to one another, and how they work in the context of the site. After the week 2 session, Benjamin will provide all workshop members with a blueprint and guidelines (via Google Drive) for creating this sample garden plan; even if the plan does not match your landscape, the process will be an invaluable template to confidently create a natural garden on your own.

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What's Included

  • 4 online video sessions
  • generous Q&A period after each session
  • complimentary signed copy of the book Prairie Up (USA residents only)

As well as these helpful documents:
  • How and Where to Find Native Plants
  • Working with an HOA
  • How to Avoid Weed Inspectors
  • Gardening with Plugs

Fee + Deadline

The workshop fee is $349*

Class size capped at 15

Registration closes January 25


Register
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*All sales are final and no refunds will be issued after January 25, 2023. Cancellations made before 1/25/23 will receive a full refund via the original payment method, less the cost of the mailed copy of Prairie Up ($38). In the unlikely event that the entire series is cancelled full refunds will be issued. Each session will be recorded and available for two months after the end of the workshop. Books will be mailed within 2-3 business days of registration via USPS parcel select service (books are only available to be shipped to addresses in the United States). Supplemental documents will be provided by the first session date via Google Drive (registrants do not need to have a Google account to access documents or design charrette material).
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M O N A R C H   G A R D E N S   LLC

prairie inspired  design

Lincoln & Omaha, Nebraska

Monarch Gardens is a prairie-inspired design firm. We specialize in lawn to meadow conversions as well as urban shade gardens.

Employing 95% native plants, our designs are climate resilient, adaptable, and provide numerous ecological benefits while artistically reflecting wilder landscapes.
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