Class Schedule January – April 2026

Spring Planting for Pollinators | January 25 | IN-PERSON

Spring is when the pollinators wake up and get back to work! Come learn about our amazing pollinator friends with entomologist Clara Aus. You’ll learn spring planting techniques, pollinator flower preferences, host plants and how to make an attractive spring garden. Take home a spring blooming native plant and a variety of native seeds, as well as handouts on gardening and pollinators. Complete with an excursion into the Garden to see the pollinators in action, this class is sure to be educational AND fun!

NEW! Love Birds: True Love in the Bird World | February 7 | IN-PERSON

As Valentine’s Day approaches, our thoughts turn to romance! Join Barb and Buz Sawyer for a fun morning sharing stories of courtship in the bird world. While some species are romantic for only a brief interlude, others form life-long bonds. Flamingos, though not seen in our area, have an interesting story – and are nicely colored for this holiday! Many local species have their own love stories. (Note: we will cover different species than those explored last spring at Only You: True Love in the Bird World. Turns out there are so many fascinating love birds to share!)

Beekeeping for Beginners | February 21, March 7, 14 | IN-PERSON

Learn everything you need to know to successfully start and maintain your own honey bee hive for the first three years of your beekeeping experience. Jesse “The Beekeeper” Frierson of East Coast Honey will discuss construction of hive boxes, honey bee care, hive maintenance, how to properly inspect a hive, and how to harvest honey. Learn how to prevent and treat pests, care for the queen, and prepare hives for the tough winter months in Virginia. Experience a live, close-up look at honey bees in an observation hive and get hands-on with constructing parts of a hive box.

NEW! Hummingbird Haven | March 14 | IN-PERSON

Learn techniques to make your Virginia garden a welcoming stop for hummingbirds all year long! Dive into practical advice for creating a hummingbird garden that offers a safe, supportive environment with proper food sources, perching spots, and shelter. We will highlight native Virginia plants alongside design and care tips, resulting in a garden robust enough to provide for hummingbirds throughout the dormant season. Each student will also receive specialized consultation from native plant expert Kaity Bevenour to build a custom Parallel Nursery mix-and-match pack of six native perennial plants to take home!

NEW! Gardening for Moths | March 15 | IN-PERSON

Discover the often-overlooked magic and importance of moths in our ecosystems. Whether you’re new to gardening, or already passionate about supporting moths with native plants, this class will inspire you and provide the resources/knowledge you need to conserve and nurture moths at home. We’ll explore moth life cycles, analyze their vital role in the food chain, and review practical steps you can take to create a moth-friendly space in your yard, balcony, or community garden. Participants will take home Moth Garden seed packets, various handouts, and special insect-friendly, outdoor lightbulbs that don’t distract moths. Join us and discover how you can bring your garden to life after dark!

NEW! Beneficial Bugs and Garden Pests | April 12 | IN-PERSON

Insects play an essential role in the garden ecosystem — but they’re often misunderstood. Join insect expert Clara Aus for an engaging exploration of beneficial bugs and garden pests. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn how to identify common pests and discover sustainable, effective strategies for managing infestations without disrupting the natural balance of the garden. Through interactive activities, soil exploration, and a guided garden walk, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of insect roles in the garden and leave with practical tools to support a healthy garden. Let’s work with nature, not against it!