A volunteer training class will begin at 1 p.m. March 11 for Old Economy Village, a collection of restored 19th-century buildings and gardens in Ambridge, Beaver County.

Prospective volunteers must first fill out an application by calling 724-266-4500, ext. 108, or e-mailing raoldeconomy@state.pa.us.

Rain barrel workshops

The Pennsylvania Resource Council will host a series of rain barrel workshops in March and April. Participants will learn about watershed issues and receive hardware to retrofit a 55-gallon drum. Cost is $30 per person or $40 per couple. Classes will start at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated:

March 15, 7 p.m., Westinghouse Lodge, Forest Hills.
April 5, Whole Foods Market, East Liberty.
April 11, CCI Center, South Side.
April 19, 7 p.m., Mt. Lebanon Library.
April 30, East End Food Co-op, Point Breeze.
May 6, noon, Urban Gardener, North Side.

For more information or to register, call 412-431-4449, ext. 247, or visit www.prc.org.

Spring fountain sale

Outside Inspirations, a garden boutique at 12085 Perry Highway, Pine, will kick off a spring sale from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 21. Upscale garden furnishings, pottery, fountains and outdoor ornaments will be included. A portion of all sales that day will be donated to the American Cancer Society. Refreshments will be served.

Lawn care workshop

A free workshop, “Lawn Care Alternatives,” will begin at 10 a.m. March 31 at Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, Sewickley.

Nancy Gift of O’Hara, acting director of the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham College, will discuss problems associated with conventional pesticides/herbicides and alternative remedies that are less labor- and chemical-intensive.

A question-and-answer session that follows will include a panel of local landscape professionals. Reservations are suggested by calling 412-741-6136. Information: www.fhnc.org.

Williamsburg symposium

David Howard, gardener to British royalty, will be among the speakers at Colonial Williamsburg’s gardening symposium, “English influences on American Gardens,” April 29 to May 2 at the Williamsburg Lodge and Convention Center in Virginia.

Mr. Howard, head gardener to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, will be joined by John E. Elsley, director of horticulture for Beaver Creek and Song Sparrow nurseries; authors and garden designers Gordon Hayward and Nan Blake Sinton; and Holly H. Shimizu, executive director of the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Cost is $349 per person and includes the opening reception, four refreshment breaks, lunch, presentations and a Colonial Williamsburg admission pass for the four-day conference. Special hotel rates are available. Information: www.colonialwilliamsburg.com, Explore & Learn, or 1-800-603-0948.

Native plant sale

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold its annual native plant sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 5 at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 14 Dorseyville Road, Fox Chapel. More than 60 species of nursery-propagated native plants will be available.

source : www.post-gazette.com