Monroeville Public Library hosts summer gardening classes

Miriam Cheng, owner-operator of Wild Child Native Gardens LLC, is presenting gardening classes at Monroeville Public Library, 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd.

The classes are scheduled from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

On May 25 is “Seed Sowing for the Beginning and Advanced Gardener.” Cheng will discuss how to start seeds inside as well as sowing directly in the garden. Additional topics include companion planting, square-foot gardening, permaculture food forest, and how to apply traditional farming techniques in the urban flower/herb/vegetable garden.

“Soil Success in Gardens and Container Gardens” is on June 28. Cheng will help you learn how to enhance, protect, amend and rebuild the soil in your garden, neighborhood and the planet. Topics include cover soil composition, how to test your soil, and how to amend it for a healthy garden. Also discussed will be the differences between soils in the ground vs. raised beds vs. container gardens and how to best prepare it so your garden shines.

The series conclude son July 27 with “Native Plants vs. Nativars vs. Cultivars,” addressing the important distinctions between those kinds of plants and how to integrate plants you enjoy without guilt. Learn to add natives to bring diversity to your space and make informed decisions as a consumer to aid the planet and our local ecosystem.

Cheng is an organic garden coach and native landscape designer. She shows people how to grow and enjoy plants in their own spaces, while also teaching in community group settings for adults and children.

She is a member of the Western PA chapter of Wild Ones, a national organization promoting native plants and natural landscapes, and also sits on the board of Plant it Further, a nonprofit advocating for and raising awareness through education for native pollinator specific garden growing.

For more information about the programs at the library, contact Mark Hudson at hudsonm@monroevillelibrary.org.