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Grow your landscaping skills at Wicker Park workshop

Landscaping can seem like such an intimidating endeavor that many gardeners hand over the reins to professionals. Or just plop down plants, shrubs and trees, hoping for the best.

But learning the skills not only saves money, it also ensures a yard or deck that bears a gardener's personal stamp. And isn't pride of place one of gardening's key charms?

While winter is keeping everybody away from their favorite hobby, it's a good time to consider enrolling in the eight-week series offered by the Wicker Park Garden Club. Design professionals and veteran gardeners will lead the weekly workshops, to be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28 at the Wicker Park Field House, 1425 N. Damen Ave.

This year's workshop is co-sponsored with the Wicker Park Advisory Council, in collaboration with the Chicago Park District. Instructors include professional landscape designers Ellen Moderhack, MODE Landscape Design; Sam Marts, Sam Marts Architects & Planners, and Julie Siegel of J. Siegel Designs.

Participants will learn how to create their own landscape designs for in-ground gardens as well as container gardens. The series will take students through the process of design — through lectures and hands-on design projects (yes, there's homework!) — to create a site plan, determine usage and bed areas, use architectural influences of the home, as well as hardscape options. Plant choices, with consideration to light and moisture conditions, as well as how to incorporate native and sustainable varieties, will be part of the program too.

The series is open to anyone in the city or suburbs, but attendance is limited. Cost is $110 (students pay at the first class).

For information, go to wpgarden.org. To register, email wpgarden@aol.com.