Gardens by Joan - Garden Design and Installation

Horticultural Speaking Engagements

Joan McDonald conducts workshops, lectures, and seminars for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, particularly GreenBridge, the community outreach program, Making Brooklyn Bloom, and the Horticultural Society of New York and Central Park Conservancy educational partnership. She also is a certified speaker for the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State and is available to speak on various horticultural topics.

The fee for most speaking engagements is $250 plus travel expenses. Joan will travel up to 100 miles. After 25 miles, she charges 40 cents per mile. Presentations can either be in 35mm Slides or PowerPoint Presentation (Digital). Joan always includes a slide list, bibliography, and sources and resources list. In addition, she generally provides one or two pertinent technique "How-To's" such as How to Care for Spring Bulbs after Blooming, Forcing Branches Indoors, etc.). Provided equipment is appreciated but Joan does own all the equipment she will need including a projection screen and digital projector.

Speaking Engagement Topics

  • Welcoming Birds, Butterflies, and Hummers into Your Garden
  • Water in the Garden…Containers and Ponds
  • The Four Season Garden…Planning for Year Round Interest
  • Gardening for the Future…Organic Practices and Xeriscaping
  • Wildflower Fever! Unusual Natives to Grow in Your Garden
  • There's More to Container Gardening than just Impatiens
  • Tropical Accents for Your Cool Climate Garden
  • Vertical Gardening with Vines and Climbers
  • Gardening in the Shade…A Rewarding Challenge
  • The Fragrant Path…Surround Yourself with Fragrance
  • Intelligent Design…Creating the Garden of Your Dreams
  • Unusual Plants for Winter and Early Spring Bloom
  • Rare and Unusual Perennials
  • Small, Ornamental Trees for a Sustainable Landscape
  • Composting: Turn Your Garden Debris into Black Gold!
  • Xeriscaping to Conserve Water…Gardening for the Future
  • Organic Gardening…The Only Way to Garden
  • Timeless Beauty from Useful Herbs
  • A Tapestry of Herbs…Some Favorites for Cooking and Healing
  • Heirloom Vegetables, Fruits, and Flowers
  • Gardening with A Pick Axe in Deer Country
  • The Moon Garden…A Fragrant Place for Evening Enjoyment
  • Mixing Herbs and Flowers in Your Perennial Border
  • The Cutting Garden…Flowers From Your Garden Bed to You Dining Room Table
  • Sustainable Gardening…Water Wise and Organic Practices
  • Dwarf Conifers and Other All Season Beauties for Containers
  • Ornamental Grasses and the Tough Plants to Combine With Them
  • Perennial Combinations…A Fantastic Garden Right From the Start
  • Living Fences: Trees and Shrubs for privacy
  • Create a Petite Pocket Paradise…Gardening in Small Places
  • Eye-Catching Annuals for Sun or Shade

Notice: 2 weeks notice for any topic on Speaking Engagement Topics List; 4 weeks notice for Custom Presentation. Joan will gladly create a custom presentation for your group if you do not see what you are looking for on this list.