Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. (AFGC) is excited to share that planning is underway to offer courses through our Gardening Educational Schools for Fall, 2026.

Each AFGC School offers a series of 10-hour courses VIA ZOOM. The curriculum will follow the National Garden Clubs School format. Unique to these AFGC courses is the Southwestern Design focus. Instructors for these courses are Professional Educators in the covered fields of study and have received training and certifications in areas such as Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Horticulture and Arborists. All are award-winning members of Professional Associations. Several of the presenters from the previous Landscape Design Courses 1 and 2 will be returning for Courses 3 and 4.

Participants do not have to have taken Courses 1 or 2 to take these classes.

Landscape Design School (LDS) Course 3

Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 9:30 am MST until 4:30 pm MST each day VIA ZOOM.

Course Topics to be covered include: Landscape Design Process, Woody Plants in the Landscape, Herbaceous Materials in the Landscape, Landscape Design with Maintenance in Mind, Graphics Interpretation, Creating Your Own Home Garden Landscaping Plan.

Landscape Design School (LDS) Course 4

Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 9:30 am MST until 4:30 pm MST each day VIA ZOOM.

Course Topics to be covered include: Contemporary Landscape Design Trends, Community Participation in Landscaping Project, History and Development of Community Gardens, Suburban Design, Guidelines for Evaluating Landscape Designs of Residential, Public and Commercial Property, Evaluations of Landscape Designs.

Registration for these courses will begin in early September, 2026.

Please share these dates and course information with other garden club members, family, friends, master gardeners, plant society member and any other gardeners in your area.

Watch for additional information coming soon. Contact Peggy Ahola at azgardenschools@gmail.com for any questions.

By Jan Wells

Marketing Coordinator for the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs Schools