Registration is simple:

* Make out a cheque to “Ron Knight” and on it print the name of the workshop and your telephone number.

* Mail it to: Ron Knight, 4622 Beaumont Road, Garden Bay BC, V0N 1S1.

* Leave a phone message (883-9807) or email (rcknight@telus.net) to say: “My name is ________ and I’ve just mailed a cheque to register for the workshop entitled ______________. " A place will immediately be reserved for you.

Check the course outlines below to find out what to bring to the workshop.  Also go to the “Contact/Visit Us” page on this website if you need a map to Caron Gardens.  Ron will phone you a day or two before the workshop to confirm that there have been sufficient registrations for the class to proceed and to answer any of your questions.  

General Information:

Caron Gardens is located on the north shore of Hotel Lake at 4622 Beaumont Road.  It contains a kilometre of pleasant woodland paths, seven different garden “rooms”, two ponds, a waterfall, and a fully equipped classroom.  The gardens have been featured in the March 2009 edition of Gardens West magazine and on television. 

Ron Knight is an award-winning biology teacher (retired) and past president of the Vancouver Rhododendron Society.  He is a busy garden club speaker and has had articles and photographs published in Gardens West magazine and the Journal of the American Rhododendron Society.  In 2007 and 2009, he won first prize in the photography contest at the American Rhododendron Society’s National Convention.   Ron has been teaching gardening courses on the Sunshine Coast since 2001.  Students say his workshops are informative, fun, and superbly organized (See the “Testimonials” page on this website).  All include handouts, refreshments by Carla, a draw for free perennials, and the opportunity to purchase rhododendrons at 10% off the regular price.

Fall Pruning

Proper pruning can make a huge difference to the health and attractiveness of your plants.  Pruning can rejuvenate leggy shrubs, slow the growth of large specimens, remove diseased material, and train plants to take on special shapes.  And there’s lots of work that can be done in the fall.  In this hands-on workshop, Ron Knight will teach you the general principles needed to prune any ornamental shrub, tree, or vine with confidence.  Then you’ll practice a wide variety of pruning techniques in Caron Gardens.
Please bring: By-pass pruners, pen, clipboard, rainwear if necessary
                       
Wednesday, Sept 23                        9:00 am – 12:00 pm
$50     ($5 discount for mailing your cheque at least 1 week before the workshop.)

Are you wasting water by sprinkling?  Are you spending hours on hand watering?  Would you like your plants to be automatically watered while you’re away?  In this workshop, Ron Knight will show you Caron Gardens’ drip irrigation system which waters its shrubs, trees, rock gardens, potted plants, hanging baskets, and flower beds.  Then you’ll practice putting together various drip irrigation components and will learn how to design, price, install, and maintain a complete system.   It’s easy, and you’ll save at least 50% off the price of materials and professional installation.
Please bring: Pen, clipboard; rainwear if necessary; plus a sketch map of your garden showing the different types of planting areas, as well as house, sundecks, out-buildings, outside taps, concrete areas, paths, fences, etc.           
           
Saturday, Oct 3                       1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$50            ($5 discount for mailing your cheque at least 1 week before the workshop.)

Gorgeous beds and borders can be created by grouping large numbers of the same plant.  However, buying dozens of perennials for massing in a home garden can become very expensive.  In this workshop, Ron Knight will show you how to get lots of free perennials by buying a single plant and then making clones of it from stem cuttings.  Then you’ll prepare a pot of perennial cuttings to take home.  This course is fun and informative!
Please bring: Exacto-knife; hand pruners, large zip-lock or vegetable bag; pen or pencil; clipboard, and rainwear if necessary.
           
Wednesday, Sept 23                        1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$50            ($5 discount for mailing your cheque at least 1 week before the workshop.)

Hypertufa & Stepping Stones

Hypertufa plant containers appear to be made of solid stone but are deceptively light in weight.  High-end concrete stepping stones are often decorated with leaf impressions, coloured stones, glass, or tile pieces.  During this course, Ron Knight will show you creative ideas for hypertufa shapes and finishes and for stepping stone decoration.  Then you’ll have fun making a hypertufa planter and garden stepping stone of your own design
Please bring: Coloured stones, glass, or tile pieces, etc. to decorate your stepping stone and a sturdy tray to support it on the way home, plus a 1 cu. ft. mould for your planter (eg. Rubbermaid container, sturdy box, styrofoam cooler, lamp shade, etc.); rainwear and lunch if necessary.
           
Saturday, Sept 26            9:00 am – 12:00 pm
$55            ($5 discount for mailing your cheque at least 1 week before the workshop.)

Rock Wall Building

Rocks that you collect in your neighbourhood can be mortared together to build elegant garden walls, steps, terraces, fire pits, or pond edges.  During this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to lay out rock steps and walls, set the face angle, and level the top.  Finally, you’ll practice mixing mortar and building a decorative wall.  Bring a friend and share some fun time in the garden.
Please bring: Clipboard, pen, old clothes and sturdy rubber gloves; rainwear if necessary. 
                       
Saturday, Sept 26            1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
$55            ($5 discount for mailing your cheque at least 1 week before the workshop.)

Register now!

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