GREAT ESCAPE: Take Time Out to "Grow" With a Class at Valley View Farms

I’ll probably jinx it just by putting this in print, but here goes: Doesn’t it seem like winter is already over?

Have you been paying attention to the weather forecast? No one seems to be talking about the “S” word anymore. My daughter wants to carry her fleece hat, but doesn’t want to wear it. My Ugg boots, a 2010 Christmas gift to myself only about five years behind the trend, probably won’t make it outside of my closet until next fall. And the teenage boys in my neighborhood are playing basketball in the street while wearing shorts (ok, that could just be youthful rebellion on parade).

If you don’t share the sunny outlook of the local teens and/or Punxsutawney Phil, Valley View Farms is poised to help you, too, think spring with its ongoing Saturday seminars and events. Saturdays in February and into the spring will bring hands-on instruction for a range of gardening techniques. The classes, which are free unless otherwise noted at Valley View’s “what’s going on?” link, present a great opportunity for a group of friends to get together and leave the usual weekend chores at home, or at least postpone them in favor of a couple hours in the balmy greenhouse (did Valley View’s sign catch your eye, like it did mine, when the “greenhouse forecast” touted the 70 degree temperature inside?)

Coming up this Saturday, Feb 19, both new and seasoned gardeners can join Carrie Engle, Valley View’s retail greenhouse manager, at 9 a.m. for “Growing Vegetable and Flower Seedlings.” Then at 11 a.m., the topic will be “Organic Gardening Principles,” featuring tips and products to help your burgeoning green thumb get even greener.

Three more classes are on tap next weekend: On Saturday, Feb. 26, at 9 a.m., check out “Pruning Trees and Shrubs” with Brian Rhoten, a certified arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, followed at 11 a.m. by “Growing Fruits and Berries” with Terry Freed of Hollybrook Orchards. Also at 11 a.m. on Feb. 26 will be the garden center’s popular kid-friendly (ages 7 and up) course called “Build a Terrarium,” featuring a demonstration and a chance for participants of all ages to try their hand at terrariums. That option will cost an estimated $35 in materials for adults (who may bring their own glass container or buy one there) or $25 for children, who will be provided with a special fishbowl container.

If weekends aren’t good for you and your friends, don’t fret: Engel says that the Valley View Farms staff would be happy to put on special programs during the week, ideally for groups of 10 or more, though they can be flexible on the size of the group. For more information call 410-527-0700 or e-mail Engel at carrie@valleyviewfarms.com. The garden center and nursery is located at 11035 York Road, south of the corner of York and Ashland/Paper Mill roads.  You can also find out more about Valley View Farms at its Facebook page and its blog, which is written by Engel.