Eva does in-person lectures, demos, workshops, and presentations via Zoom.
Contact Eva for pricing at 215-870-6520 or at evamonheim@gmail.com
Lectures, Demos, and Workshops to chose from...
Shrubs & Hedges
Shrubs and hedges are the subject of my latest book. We will explore a vast array of topics including a brief history of shrubs, how they are named, what makes a shrub dependable, the differences between hedges and hedgerows and why these two forms of landscaping are important for habitat and humans, how to purchase shrubs and what to look for, propagating shrubs, attracting pollinators and other wildlife, and shrubs for riparian areas and rain gardens.
A book signing will follow. (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Selecting Shrubs for Four Seasons of Interest
This lecture gives great ideas for the four season landscape which includes attracting birds and pollinators, interesting bark and bloom, and fruiting shrubs too! There is nothing better than maximizing the landscape year round.
Shrubs & Hedges: The Workhorses of Our Landscape
Most people don't realize that shrubs play a critical role for stabilizing streambanks, preventing erosion, and keeping silt from entering our waterways. What about that dry - xeric slope? Yes, there are plants for that too! Attendees to this presentation can have their questions answered on what works well where.
Aspect and Form - A Partnership in Design
Location, location, location can determine how much energy you use in your home by the aspect or position of your landscape plantings. Plants can be used as wind blocks and cooling agents for reducing energy usage and creating new microclimates for other species to survive. This is a wonderful presentation for city or country dwellers.
Building a Home or Community Garden
Creating a home or community garden can be rewarding and healthy for all involved. Learn an easy fail-proof way to begin the process while enjoying the social aspect of the activity. There is no need to till or do backbreaking work in order to make your garden a success. Start in the morning and have a garden to plant in in just a few hours. The how-to process will surprise you. (Lecture in person or on Zoom or Workshop)
Color in the Garden
Have you ever heard of forest bathing? In Japan this is a custom and a way to rejuvenate the soul. Walking amidst the color green, is healing and restorative. Now think of applying all colors to the garden to create a healing space that will enliven all your senses. (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Container Gardening
This presentation/workshop provides information on container selection – soil options, and of course, plant opportunities for the consumer. Consider grouping pots and then change them as they continue to bloom or go out of bloom. A myriad of options awaits the imaginative gardener. (Lecture in person or on Zoom or Workshop)
Creating a Woodland Garden
Learn how to transform an area of your landscape into a woodland oasis. If you already have a grove of trees or are thinking of planting one, this presentation will help you make the proper selection of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. I will discuss the process involved in woodland gardening from garden planning to soil preparation, planting, and ongoing care. My process is something you can integrate at your own pace. Learn what to plant to provide year-round interest from early-blooming bulbs to shrubs with colorful berries in fall and winter. You'll learn how to attract wildlife too! (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Dependable Perennials for Low-Maintenance Gardening
Sitting in the garden after a long day's work is something to celebrate. If weeds seem to take over your garden and you can't enjoy the view, it's time to rethink how you garden. Perennials can provide quick cover by suppressing weeds, providing masses of colors, while working harder for you. From early masses of spring ephemerals to the last mums and asters in the fall, you can reduce over maintenance by having the right plants.
Designing for Fall and Winter Interest
Fall and winter play off each other - one overly dramatic and the other overly sublime. We will explore the uplifting colors of fall while finding equally interesting plant specimens for winter's gray days. From brilliant bark to flowering beauties, to strong structure - we will explore the perfect plants for your garden. A complete plant list will accompany the talk so you have a great take away for your next garden center or nursery outing. (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Food Forests to Attract Birds, Furry Friends and Humans too!
Creating beautifully designed food forests and shrubby borders attract a myriad of animals to visit our gardens. One shrub with varying cultivars can feed birds six months or more - planning is key. Knowing what to plant will make you a more conscious gardener for improving habitat and migratory flyways. (Lecture in person or on Zoom )
Fragrant Gardens
Fragrances stimulate memory and turn an ordinary garden into extraordinary. Explore the possibilities when we use fragrant plants as markers for time and space. (Lecture in person or on Zoom or Workshop)
Front and Backdoor Gardening
The most important person you need to impress is yourself. When your home looks good – you feel great every time you enter or leave your home. Learn tips on how to design and change entryways to provide seasonal color and drama. (Lecture in person or on Zoom or Workshop)
Gardening for Wildlife
Starting out with small changes in your garden will enhance your environment to welcome wildlife. You’ll be amazed at how your life will change as you begin to share your garden space. (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Gardening in Small Spaces
Just because you have a small space, doesn’t mean that you can’t have a wonderful landscape filled with a diversity of plants to create a special retreat. We will explore the many possibilities for small space gardening. (Lecture in person or on Zoom )
Gardening in Winter: A New Twist
Most people don't consider the winter garden to be much to look at but if it is planned well, there can be a full range of bloom and color throughout the bleak winter months. Come join me for a talk on the fourth gardening season (winter) and the myriad of plants. (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Hand-tied Bouquets and Vase Arranging
How many times have you brought flowers home and tried to arrange them in a vase that you have sitting on a shelf?
I will show you the tricks of the trade for vase arranging and hand-tied bouquets. The techniques are centuries old. (Lecture or Workshop)
Pruning – Accentuating the Natural Beauty of Shrubs
We will discuss the structure of shrubs and then I will demonstrate the pruning techniques to maintain a shrub’s natural, shapely beauty. (Workshop)
Rain Gardening
Instead of trying to divert water off of your property – keep it to intensify your landscape. Using rain in combination with water-loving plants – the two will create lush areas of diversity and color even during drier periods. The natural cooling effect of these areas will provide oases to enjoy all summer long. (Lecture in person or on Zoom)
Riparian Buffer Restoration
Learn how you can help restore natural barriers along stream banks and help prevent flooding in your own backyard – while increasing interest in the landscape. This class is great for greening groups and large and small parcel property owners with streams and/or ponds. (Lecture or Workshop)
Sustainability in Your Garden
What does sustainability really mean in the landscape? Creating sustainable landscapes means less work for you and more work for the plants. Ideas include no mow lawns, rain capture and reuse, easy ground covers, plants that need minimal pruning, plant diversity, new native cultivars that attract more wildlife and bring greater activity to areas that were once visually lifeless. Once you have established a good plant palette you can sit back and enjoy the results.
(Lecture)
Window Boxes
They say that when window boxes appear on houses, it is a sign of a very healthy community. We explore the diversity of options using window boxes and how to plant them for year round enjoyment. (Lecture or Workshop)
Wreaths - For All Seasons (Check out these photos from a previous workshop!)
From a historical perspective, wreaths have been used for hundreds of years. After you make a wreath with me, you will appreciate the labor of love that goes into the centuries old tradition. (Workshop)
Apple Tasting - (December through February) (Check out these photos from a previous class!)
How many apples have you tried and were able to discern the subtle flavors. This workshop was developed for my Food Crops class while teaching at Temple University. After seeing how much my students loved this workshop - I am offering it up for groups. Get ready to have fun and laughter at the daunting apple selection. You will never eat an apple the same way again. Recommended for adults and children. (Workshop)
(Other tastings are available for your group including tomato tasting, oranges, and grapes in season)
I will also talk about products to make from the various fruit we try.
Gardening with Children*
Once you get a child hooked on gardening – they are a gardener for life. The following are workshops designed for children that will provide endless hours of fulfillment and joy for any child.
*Creating a Terrarium – Each child creates their own terrarium. They learn about this micro-environment and learn how much this small area is like our earth. (Workshop)
*Planting Seedlings – Sprouts – Children learn to save, plant and seeds and learn how to transplant seedlings for their gardens. Learning how to care for seedlings encourages stewardship. (Workshop)