There are 66 upcoming classes.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Ask Maryland Master Gardeners questions and receive useful tips and practical advice.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis. Free bins provided to Howard County residents.
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 04/20/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners and Recycling Coordinators discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis, teaching about:
- Composting kitchen scraps and yard trimmings in your backyard or using the Feed the Green Bin (for Howard County residents only)
- Troubleshooting or advising for maintaining your home backyard composting efforts or participating in the GreenBin compost collection program
- Improving your soil’s health by incorporating compost
- The impact of composting on climate
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners and Howard County Environmental Services.
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
Seed Bombs (4-10 years, 4 & 5 with adult) RG
Date: 04/20/24Time: 11:30am - 12:15pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children, Seed Bombs (4-10 years, 4 & 5 with adult) RG
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
4-10 years, 4 and 5 years with adult; 45 min. Registration required.
Earth Day is on it's way; celebrate by creating seed bombs using air dry clay and Maryland flower seeds. At home, throw in a suitable landscape to grow flowers to benefit bees and other pollinators. Dress for mess!
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 04/20/24Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Enchanted Garden Earth Day Celebration
Date: 04/20/24Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. Allow 30 min.
Celebrate Earth Day by exploring stations throughout the Enchanted Garden. Fun and learning for all ages!
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
Plant Dissection (ages 6-9) TK
Date: 04/20/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 6-9. 45 minutes. Ticket required.
Come learn all about the parts of plants in this fun science class. Learn about the importance of flowers in the ecosystem. Dissect different flowers and see if you can identify the different structures found inside. Use magnifiers and tweezers to examine parts up close. Tickets available 15 minutes before class.
Make a Plant Press (6-11 years, parents/caregivers welcome) RG
Date: 04/20/24Time: 2:30pm - 3:15pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
6-11 years, parents/caregivers welcome; 45 min. Registration required.
Earth Day is on it's way; celebrate by creating a simple plant press. Learn about different flowers you will see this spring and the best way to collect and preserve them.
Earth Day Make & Take featuring Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay [ages 7-10]
Date: 04/20/24Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Learn the story of the amazing families living in a garbage dump and how their children became known as the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay. Listen to them in concert, then make your own instruments out of recycled materials.
Creating with Coffee Grounds
Date: 04/22/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
Make a body scrub using coffee grounds and other common household items and learn about different ways to re-purpose used coffee grounds to reduce landfill waste.
All materials provided. All skill and ability levels welcome.
Coffee grounds generously donated by Brewing Good Coffee Company.
We will use coffee grounds, olive oil, sugar, and (optional) essential oils in this class to create a skin-care product, not intended for consumption. Please exercise caution if you have allergies or skin sensitivities. Gloves will be available.
Registration is optional. Register if you wish to receive email reminders and updates about this class. All seating is first-come, first-served.
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
Read with a Ranger [families] TK
Date: 04/24/24Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Families (Recommended for ages 2-10). 45-60 min. Ticket required.
Explore the natural world through stories and activities. Learn how to spot the signs of wild animals and see their tracks up close, or silently glide into the world of owls and make a craft.
Tickets are available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Teen Beyond Words in The Enchanted Garden
Date: 04/24/24Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Step into the fun and active world of Teen Beyond Words, a vibrant and inclusive monthly class designed to spark joy and ignite the imagination of young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Participants will journey through five engaging stations, that include:
Motor Skills - where hands and hearts intertwine in activities that celebrate fine motor movement and coordination, fostering a sense of accomplishment
Arts & Crafts - where imagination and artistic vision come to life, giving voice to the unique expressions within
Cognitive Skills - where puzzles and cognitive challenges become stepping stones to triumph, nurturing intellectual growth and problem-solving prowess
Movement - where active games, physical challenges, and other movement exploration focuses on gross motor skills, balance, etc.to get participants up and moving
Education - where learning takes center stage featuring a focus on counting, letter/word recognition, basic math, or a science activity
With a new theme and different stations each month, Teen Beyond Words is not just a class; it's an invitation to celebrate the joy of discovery and the magic of shared experiences while creating personal connection and growth.
Welcome to a place where every participant is celebrated for the unique colors they bring to the canvas of life.
Participants may stay for as little or as long as they want.
Caregivers must stay with participants at all times.
The theme for April is Garden
FAM: Fun At Miller
Upcycled Clothing Workshop
Date: 04/24/24Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Ever wanted to wear something but you’ve outgrown it? Or maybe it has a hole or you just consider it “out of style?” We have a solution.
The Youth Climate Institute’s Fashion Forward Team will be hosting an event for middle and high school students. This event will focus on educating students about sustainability and improving clothing quality. Students can learn how to work with different materials to repair their clothes at each different station: a station for sewing, a station for cutting, and a station for painting/drawing.
This event will have loads of opportunities to bring life back into an article of clothing with the hopes that it can be worn again. All you have to provide is an article of clothing! Don’t throw… show up at this event. Hope to see you there! - YCI Fashion Forward
F.I.G. aka Friends in the Garden [ages 4-6 with adult] RG
Date: 04/25/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 4-6, with adult. 45 min. Registration required. Register once for all 3 sessions.
Cultivate learning by working together on a garden project. Make new friends and learn about the animal friends that help plants grow.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Tonantzin Offerings: Creating a Connection with the Earth
Date: 04/27/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
In honor of Earth Day, learn about the importance of creating a connection between ourselves and the land, and how we can incorporate small daily steps to strengthen that relationship. Tonantzin is a concept from Aztec Mythology that is associated various aspects of Mother Earth.
Xóchitl of Seven Dreams Ceremony, a locally foraged & seasonal apothecary based in Baltimore, will discuss both the physical and spiritual benefits of gardening, basic principles of tending to the land, and how we can heal our bodies and lineages by tending to the lands around us. Through these different approaches, Xóchitl shares what we can achieve while living in reciprocity with Mother Earth.
Participants will receive seed paper, a zine, and a collection of seeds to take home; all materials are provided.
This session is part of HCLS' Earth Day Celebration series. Please click here for the complete schedule of classes and events.
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 04/29/24Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 04/29/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Fairy House Engineering (Ages 6-8, TK)
Date: 05/01/24Time: 4:30pm - 5:15pm
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 6-8, 45 minutes. TK, Ticketed.
Celebrate May Day by welcoming fairies and other creatures into your garden! Construct and decorate a fairy house using natural materials.
Author Works: Growing an Edible Landscape: How to Transform Your Outdoor Space into a Food Garden
Date: 05/01/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Authors Gary Pilarchik of @therustedgarden and Dr. Chiara D’Amore discuss their new collaborative book, Growing an Edible Landscape: How to Transform Your Outdoor Space into a Food Garden. Learn how you can convert your lawn and landscape areas into fruitful edible gardens with this practical guide overflowing with ideas, plans, designs, and know-how.
About the Authors
Gary Pilarchik has been gardening for most of his life. His grandfather taught him about vegetable gardening in first grade, and it ignited a passion that has been with him ever since. Gary started his YouTube channel, The Rusted Garden, in 2011 as a way to enjoy himself and teach others about gardening. He has since grown his following of dedicated subscribers, and started a second channel, My First Vegetable Garden, a few years later to cater to first-time vegetable growers. His belief is that a garden wants to give, vegetables want to grow, and everyone can have a successful garden. Providing information and options in his videos, Gary’s goal is to educate viewers so they can make informed choices about their gardens. He enjoys meeting gardeners from around the world through his social media reach and responds to every question and comment people leave for him. Gary sees vegetable gardening as a global hobby that brings people together across cultures and geographical boundaries.
Dr. Chiara D’Amore is the Executive Director of the Community Ecology Institute, a non-profit organization working to cultivate communities in which people and nature thrive together. She holds a PhD in Sustainability Education and MS in Environmental Science and Engineering and teaches courses related to climate change, civic ecology, experiential education, and research design. She worked as an environmental consultant for over 15 years serving clients such as the United Nations and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Dr. D’Amore also holds Master Gardener and Permaculture Design certificates.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 05/04/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 05/04/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 05/04/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Garden Tool Sharpening Demonstration
Date: 05/04/24Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn how to sharpen your garden tools using a file and stone. Master Gardener, Kent Phillips, will demonstrate tips and tricks to give your tools a sharp edge, perfect for pruning and other tasks around your yard.
This workshop is limited to 16 people. Each attendee can bring 2 tools that need sharpening! Registration required.
If you register but are unable to make it to the workshop, please cancel your registration so that someone on the waitlist has an opportunity to attend!
This event will take place in the Enchanted Garden.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 05/06/24Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 05/06/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 05/08/24Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 05/11/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 05/13/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Gardening for Birds
Date: 05/14/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Discover the best ways to attract birds to your yard from gorgeous bluebirds to stunning Waxwings. Filling feeders and keeping them clean can be a lot of work. Instead discover the18 plants that can naturally feed our feathered friends and meet all their nutritional needs so they will nest and raise young.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Climate Action Poster Design
Date: 05/15/24Time: 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Join the Community Ecology Institute's team as we use acrylic paint and reusable homemade gel plates to make Climate Action posters. Using gel plates, known as monoprinting, creates a unique print each time and is perfect for those who enjoy a little whimsy and unpredictability in their creations!
We will discuss what Climate Action is and you will create one or more posters for display at the library during the month of June. It will be a messy, fun, and judgement-free space in which to let your inner creative loose!
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening and nature classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Wellness Wednesday: Air Plant Terrariums
Date: 05/15/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
Let your creativity flow in our relaxing space to create your very own Air Plant Terrarium! Hang out with friends or make some new friends while using a wide range of fun supplies to personalize your Air Plant Terrarium. All supplies provided in this Make & Take class.
Registration required.
Choose to Reuse: DIY Planters (ages 6-9) TK
Date: 05/17/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 6-9. 45 minutes. Ticket required.
Create a planter from reused materials and decorate it while reading about plant life cycles and the power of choosing to reuse. Then plant some seeds in your planter and take them home to watch them grow!
Materials provided. Dress for mess!
Herbology Lab in the Enchanted Garden [ages 5-10] TK
Date: 05/17/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:45pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Herbology Lab in the Enchanted Garden [ages 5-10] TK
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 5-10. 45 min. Ticket required. Ho. Co. Schools close 3 hours early.
Your help is needed in the Enchanted Garden! There are mandrakes to transplant and the gnomes are taking over the pollinator garden. Be ready to push-up your sleeves and get a little dirty.
Tickets are available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Herbology Lab in the Enchanted Garden [ages 5-10] TK
Date: 05/17/24Time: 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Herbology Lab in the Enchanted Garden [ages 5-10] TK
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 5-10. 45 min. Ticket required. Ho. Co. Schools close 3 hours early.
Your help is needed in the Enchanted Garden! There are mandrakes to transplant and the gnomes are taking over the pollinator garden. Be ready to push-up your sleeves and get a little dirty.
Tickets are available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 05/18/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 05/18/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Ask Maryland Master Gardeners questions and receive useful tips and practical advice.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 05/18/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 05/18/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis. Free bins provided to Howard County residents.
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 05/18/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners and Recycling Coordinators discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis, teaching about:
- Composting kitchen scraps and yard trimmings in your backyard or using the Feed the Green Bin (for Howard County residents only)
- Troubleshooting or advising for maintaining your home backyard composting efforts or participating in the GreenBin compost collection program
- Improving your soil’s health by incorporating compost
- The impact of composting on climate
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners and Howard County Environmental Services.
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 05/18/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Invasive Plants
Date: 05/18/24Time: 11:30am - 1:00pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Invasive plants seem to be multiplying every year and are a burden to every gardener. Learn about invasive ornamental plants and weedy species, ways to deal with them, and how to make the right decisions for your landscape.
Presented in partnership with Howard County Master Gardeners.
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 05/20/24Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Ask A Master Gardener
Date: 05/20/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Find the answers to gardening questions by talking with a University of Maryland Extension Master Gardener. Drop in; no registration required.
HoCo Bee City Presents: How to Really Save the Bees & Other Pollinators
Date: 05/21/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: HoCo Bee City Presents: How to Really Save the Bees & Other Pollinators, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Did you know that none of the many different kinds of native bees in North America live in hives, and that all are very unlikely to sting you? Many are now at risk, yet most people don’t even know these important pollinators exist. Historically understudied and still under appreciated, the nearly 4,000 native species on the continent live decidedly different lifestyles than that of the honeybee, a captive-bred animal originally introduced from Europe. Most lead solitary lives, nesting underground or in holes in wood and twigs. Some are specialists, gathering pollen only from certain native plants to provision their nests. Many are so small they’re often mistaken for flies or gnats. All are worthy of our attention and concern. And you don’t have to don a beekeeper suit to help native bees—you can be a wild beekeeper instead!
Join Howard County Bee City to learn how support bees—as well as butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds and other pollinators—throughout their lifecycles.
Nancy Lawson is co-chair of Howard County Bee City and the author of The Humane Gardener: Nurturing a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife and Wildscape: Trilling Chipmunks, Beckoning Blooms, Salty Butterflies, and other Sensory Wonders of Nature.Certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional, she also volunteers as a master naturalist and co-launched a community science project, Monarch Rx, based on scientific discoveries made in her own habitat. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, O magazine, Entomology Today, and Ecological Entomology. Her book Wildscape is a 2024 finalist for the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Writing and received an honorable mention in the American Horticultural Society’s national book awards.
Check out the full schedule of upcoming gardening classes at Miller here: bit.ly/garden_at_miller
Compost Demonstration (In-Person)
Date: 05/22/24Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Learn the basics of composting. Composting reduces pressure on our landfills and recycles organic waste material into helpful soil supplements for gardens, container plants, and lawns. Free compost bins will be available to Howard County residents.
Drop in; no registration required.
In the event of inclement or severe weather, this session may be canceled. Check this page for updates, or call the Miller Branch at 410-313-1950 to confirm before heading to the branch.
Plant This – Not That: Alternative to Invasive Plants in Your Landscape
Date: 05/22/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
You can have a beautiful garden without planting any of the many invasive or non-beneficial species often recommended by landscapers and sold in local nurseries. There are a wide variety of native plants that will support native wildlife, thrive with minimal care, and prevent invasive spread through open spaces. In this presentation, you’ll learn which native plants thrive best in specific conditions. Photos of natives in local gardens throughout the year will help you decide which plants are best for you. You don’t need to make huge immediate changes to make a more sustainable, environmentally responsible landscape and avoid the damage popular invasive species can do. Small changes can make a difference!
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 06/01/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Scrappy Cooking Class
Date: 06/01/24Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
What to do with those kitchen scraps?! In this workshop you'll get helpful ideas on storage of and uses for your leftover bits and pieces. We'll discuss different ways to make your food last longer and go further, using basic ingredients and tools. You will learn how to use scraps to make salsa and quick-pickled scraps, and leave with resources you can use and a better understanding of how to save money and keep food waste out of landfills.
Zero Waste Living Strategies (In Person)
Date: 06/01/24Time: 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
Stephanie Dignan will teach us about less wasteful alternatives to common products,
successful habit change principles and strategies to navigate common situations.
Use this site to sign up for online:
https://howardcounty.librarycalendar.com/event/zero-waste-living-strategies-online-233991
An Inconvenient Book Club
Date: 06/12/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
The Inconvenient Book Club discusses the latest climate fiction. This summer, we'll talk about C. Pam Zhang's novel Land of Milk and Honey, a New York Times Notable Book that is part dystopia, part utopia, and all about food. In the midst of a world overcome by climate crisis, creeping smog, and dwindling food supplies, a passionate chef takes a job with a rich client in the rarefied air of a mountaintop resort. Zhang, a Beijing native raised in the U.S. who also wrote How Much of These Hills is Gold, writes about privilege, desire, environmental destruction, deception, and pleasure in this novel that has more than a touch of thriller to it.
NPR, in its "Books We Love" feature, said Land of Milk and Honey is “A profound exploration of human nature, the allure of pleasure and the choices we make in the face of adversity.” We'll talk about climate change, food, what we loved about the book, more food, and the power of Zhang's persuasion. Join us for a lively discussion led by two writers, one environmental and one literary.
Ask at the Adult Research Kiosk on second floor for a copy of the book, beginning 4 weeks before the discussion date.
Registration is preferred, not required.
Master Gardener: Ecosystem Landscaping
Date: 06/12/24Time: 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Ecosystem Landscaping is the art of creating landscapes that are visually beautiful and that support biological diversity. Our pollinators, the basis of our food chain, need our help. Decline of pollinators and the ecosystems that support are in progress here and now in Howard County. Our gardening practices can reverse this trend. Come learn how your yard can contribute to ecosystem services and the survival of our native pollinators.
Lifehacks
Date: 06/13/24Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Teens, Adults
Program type: Health & Wellness
Description:
Join us to learn simple tips to make your life easier and more economical. This class, which will meet every other month, will offer information based on themes at each meeting.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 06/15/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 06/15/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Elkridge Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Ask Maryland Master Gardeners questions and receive useful tips and practical advice.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 06/15/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis. Free bins provided to Howard County residents.
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners.
Who's at the Zoo? [all ages] TK
Date: 06/17/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. 30 min. Ticket required.
Learn about a variety of animals found at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Each session will focus on a specific animal. Develop an understanding of each animal's special adaptations through hands-on stations.
Ticket required. Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Who's at the Zoo? [all ages] TK
Date: 06/17/24Time: 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. 30 min. Ticket required.
Learn about a variety of animals found at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Each session will focus on a specific animal. Develop an understanding of each animal's special adaptations through hands-on stations.
Ticket required. Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Octopus's Garden [ages 7-10] TK
Date: 06/27/24Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 7-10. 60 min. Ticket required.
Explore the world of this incredible predatory mollusk and member of the cephalopod class. Apply what you've learned to create a special Octopus's Garden in the Enchanted Garden.
Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Octopus's Garden [ages 7-10] TK
Date: 06/27/24Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
Ages 7-10. 60 min. Ticket required.
Explore the world of this incredible predatory mollusk and member of the cephalopod class. Apply what you've learned to create a special Octopus's Garden in the Enchanted Garden.
Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Savage Seasonal Garden Tour
Date: 06/29/24Time: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Take a guided tour of the Savage's Branch's native landscaping. Learn about the benefits of including native plants in your yard, see the stages of plant growth, and learn about the symbiotic relationship Maryland's native plants have with pollinators and native insects.
Created by Bioinformatics when the branch was renovated in 2013 and maintained by Howard County Department of Facilities, Savage's landscaping is full of native plants and offers an educational exploration of the water cycle.
Presented in Partnership with Howard County Master Gardeners.
Ask a Master Gardener
Date: 07/06/24Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners provide direct assistance to home gardeners by hosting Ask A Master Gardener plant clinics from April through September. At the Ask A Master Gardener clinics, Master Gardener Gardeners will look at samples of ailing plants to make a diagnosis, give recommendations, answer questions, and provide printed information on a variety of gardening subjects.
Compost Demonstration
Date: 07/13/24Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm
Branch: Savage Branch
Age group: Compost Demonstration, Teens, Adults
Program type: Gardening & Nature
Description:
Master Gardeners discuss and demonstrate composting on a drop-in basis. Free bins provided to Howard County residents.
In partnership with the Howard County Master Gardeners.
Who's at the Zoo? [all ages] TK
Date: 07/15/24Time: 2:00pm - 2:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. 30 min. Ticket required.
Learn about a variety of animals found at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Each session will focus on a specific animal. Develop an understanding of each animal's special adaptations through hands-on stations.
Ticket required. Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.
Who's at the Zoo? [all ages] TK
Date: 07/15/24Time: 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Children, Everyone
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
All ages. 30 min. Ticket required.
Learn about a variety of animals found at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Each session will focus on a specific animal. Develop an understanding of each animal's special adaptations through hands-on stations.
Ticket required. Tickets will be available at the children's desk 15 minutes before class.