You can see and feel the seasons changing at the Gardens. Daily children’s activities are now offered on weekends only (except Storytime, which is also on Mondays at 10 a.m.) Fall birds are passing through, along with fall visitors; and it won’t be long before the “leaf peepers” make their way down the garden path. Flowers are putting forth a last burst of color, although roses have been known to bloom at the Gardens in December. Five exhibits, indoors and out, add another dimension.

Fees for the following programs for adults and children include admission, so attending them is a great way to learn, have fun, and see the fall gardens all at the same time. For details, call 207-633-4333, ext. 101; visit www.mainegardens.org; or stop by the Gardens, off Barters Island Road in Boothbay.

“After the Shutter Closes”

Taking digital photos can be a lot easier than managing them once they’re on one of those tiny cards in the camera. There’s so much to know if you want to save, print, or send them in the best possible ways. In his 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 25, Executive Director William Cullina will show a comprehensive range of techniques to make the process easier, better and more enjoyable for photographers, no matter what their level of experience. Cullina’s glorious photographs, from extreme close-ups to landscapes, illustrate his award-winning books, and he is a popular instructor and speaker. Participants in this class in the Bosarge Family Education Center are encouraged to bring a laptop with sample images and have Adobe Photoshop Elements or CS5 or above already installed. Only a few spaces remain in this class. Fees are $75 for members and $90 for nonmembers.

Get serious about sustainable horticulture

Landscape designer and educator Irene Brady Barber of the Gardens staff will teach “Sustainable Horticultural Practices,” an intensive three-day course, from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26 and 27, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. Participants will learn how to apply ecologically safe, low-impact gardening methods to existing landscapes and garden beds. Barber will cover methods of composting and other eco-friendly soil-amendment techniques, alternatives to pesticides and herbicides, and responsible acquisition of native plant materials. While this class is part of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens’ certificate program curriculum, it’s open to all. Fees are $120 for members and $150 for nonmembers.

Also coming soon

Upcoming children’s programs include the “Little Diggers” gardening sessions for kids from 3-5 years old on Thursdays, Sept. 19 and October 3 and 17. The activities are different each session, and parents are invited to take part. Fees per child are $12 for members and $17 for nonmembers.

For more family fun, visit during a month of Sundays, Cider Sundays that is, 1-3 p.m. on four Sundays from September 22 to October 13. These delicious occasions in the Children’s Garden are free with admission, and no reservations are necessary.

Registrations are now open for “Harrowing Harvest Folk” on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a workshop by Diane Walden for adults who want to make fall decorations with a ghoulish twist. All materials are included in the fees of $35 for members and $42 for non-members.