Classes offered at Arboretum

GOSHEN — The Friends of the Arboretum is hosting a series of gardening classes for adults and children this month at the Orange County Arboretum.

On Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Kosuga classroom, the Friends will offer a class on Leaf Casting. Join Arboretum volunteers and learn how to make these garden decorations cast from concrete with leaves you can find in your yard. Discover how to mold the leaves and get great ideas on how to decorate them once they have cured, as well as suggestions for uses and displaying them in your garden. All supplies and a place for the castings to dry will be provided. The volunteers will make arrangements with you to pick up your castings at a later date. The class is $20 per person and pre-registration is required. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 615-3828.

Master Gardener and Friends President Dora Wright will present Making Herbal Condiments on Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kosuga classroom. Wright will demonstrate how to use dried and fresh herbs from the garden to make delicious infused oils, vinegars and compound butters ideal for light summer cooking and gift giving. Participants will have an opportunity to make an herbal condiment to take home. The class is $10 per person and pre-registration is required.

On Aug. 24 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the Kosuga classroom the Friends will offer Flower Arranging for Children. Boys and girls ages 6 to 10 are invited to learn about the assortment of beautiful flowers growing at the Arboretum, how to prepare them for arranging and then create a lovely floral arrangement to take home. The class is free but space is very limited so pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register for any of the classes, call 615-3828.

The Arboretum is located within Thomas Bull Memorial Park and is most easily accessed from the Grove St. entrance to the park off of Route 416, Montgomery. The gardens are open to the public year round from dawn until dusk, free of charge. Just drive up to the motion activated gate to enter.

For more information about the Orange County Arboretum visit www.orangecountyarboretum.org