"Water in the Garden" teaches how to create and incorporate water into your garden. Discuss the construction of the fish pond, disappearing water falls, and small water features. Learn about maintenance and plants of water gardening. The cost is $20 for the course offered Tuesday, January 16 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The hardscape is an integral part of today's landscape. Along with proper planning, the hardscape ties together your home or office with its surroundings. In "The Hard Element," the instructor will explore the concepts behind hardscape design, including sitting areas such as patios and decks, as well as walkways, paths, retaining walls, fencing, gates and arbors, pergolas and other overhead structures. Scheduled for three sessions on Thursdays, January 18 through February 1, 9 to 10:30 a.m., the cost is $45.
In "Why Do We Landscape?" the instructor leads students through a look at historical and current uses of landscaping to begin understanding its purpose. When we realize why we need to manipulate and modify our environment, we can successfully design a landscape that achieves beauty and function. Offered Saturday, February 3, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the cost is $20.
Discover how to have a beautiful bed of color all season long in "Color Your World." This fun, one-session course teaches participants how to use perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, and a few surprises, too. Students are asked to bring measurements of an area within their yard. Offered either Thursday, January 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. or Saturday, January 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, the cost is $25.
Learn how to manage "Perennial Problems" in a one-session course offered on Thursday, February 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. or on Saturday, February 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Find out how to amend your soils to correct and enhance and learn about what types of perennials can be used in these problem areas. Also discover many new and unusual perennials that sometimes are left behind. The cost is $25.
Learn the how's, when's, and why's of hand pruning on everything from woody ornamentals and evergreen shrubs to ornamental shade trees and conifers during "The Joys of Hand Pruning." Learn what tools are best for each job, and find out why you'll love your plants even more and why your plants will love you back. The course costs $35 and is offered on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to noon.
If you know someone who has a place in their yard where they think nothing will grow because it's too shady, register them for "Creating a Shade Garden." They will learn how to do a site analysis, make plant choices and combinations for those shady areas, and discuss garden design and maintenance. Offered on Monday and Wednesday, March 5 and 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the cost is $35.
"Got the Blues?" teaches participants how to change the colors of their hydrangeas to get the beautiful blue that is so popular. The instructor will introduce many new varieties and teach the correct pruning and proper areas to plant these beautiful ladies to enjoy their colors in all the seasons. The one-session course costs $25. It will be offered on Thursday, March 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.
To register for any of these classes, or for more information, call HACC's Community Education Center at 717-338-1010 or visit www.hacc.edu/noncredit.