INTRODUCTION TO
HYDROPONICS

Hydroponics is a type of horticulture that involves growing plants without soil, in water, and with a growing medium. Hydroponic growing can be done at home and has many benefits over other growing methods, but most people don’t know how to get started. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to start your hydroponic growing journey, and the output is so rewarding! Join Ekene Tharpe, Department Chair, Horticulture with Reynolds Community College, for an introduction to hydroponics! Ekene will help break hydroponics down to its core elements including system types, system inputs, and the essentials of successful growing. As part of the class, Ekene will lead a tour to see the Babylon Micro-Farms hydroponic growing system installed in the Robins Visitors Center. Students will walk away with the ability to grow their own leafy greens and herbs year-round indoors!

Fees: Member $40, Non-Member $48

All programs are subject to change. Pre-registration through our website is required.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden strives to be a Garden for all and we are committed to offering diverse adult learning opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all learners. If you would like to request an accommodation to support your participation in an adult learning opportunity at the Garden, please contact [email protected] or call 804-262-9887 x328 and we will make our best effort to help.

Register Member $40

Register Non-Member $48

Date:
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Time:
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Event Details

Ekene TharpeAbout the Instructor

Ekene Tharpe is the Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Horticulture at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. She is establishing the newfound partnership between the college and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, where all Horticulture classes are now held.

Ekene holds a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an M.S. in Horticulture from Virginia Tech, where she researched micro-tomatoes in indoor vertical farming systems. Prior to joining Reynolds, Ekene was Director of Horticulture at Babylon Micro-Farms and has presented on hydroponics at the Lewis Ginter Winter Symposium, previously taught a hydroponics course for the Lewis Ginter Adult Learning, and will be teaching Hydroponics at Reynolds in Spring 2026.

login or create an account

We have adapted a new Garden-wide system as of March 6, 2024. You will need to create or activate your account the first time you use the system.

manage my account
Adult Learning at the Garden

Browse all upcoming adult classes, tours and programs using our Programs By Date tool.

Browse Opportunities