Class Schedule December 2024 – April 2025

SOILS SERIES 

Soils, Part 3: pH and Fertilization | December 7 | IN-PERSON

Karin discusses soil pH and the many factors affecting it within soil chemistry, plant nutrition, and the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium cycles, including fertilization and how to read fertilizer labels.

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Basic Residential Landscape Design | January 11, 18, 25, 26, February 1, 2 | IN-PERSON

This comprehensive course enables you to thoughtfully and responsibly plan a landscape enhancing the architecture of your home and reflecting your personality. Learn the basics of site and structure then proceed with analyzing climate and setting. An emphasis on design theory includes color, texture, line, form and function. Plant selection, soil analysis, material selection and ecological responsiveness (resiliency) are also discussed and incorporated into your landscape design

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NEW! Ecological Garden Clean-up & Spring Prep | January 18 | IN-PERSON

Curious how you can clean up your garden this winter to create a pleasant, presentable space that is sustainable for your local wildlife? Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, for a review of landscape management techniques for wildlife support! We’ll go beyond “leave the leaves” and discuss exactly how to structure your clean-up to meet your aesthetic & ecological goals.

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The History of the Black Garden | January 25 | IN-PERSON

Since the founding of America, African Americans have planted crops for themselves that have cultural importance, particularly in Virginia and the greater South. Join Debra Freeman, host and creator of Setting the Table podcast, as she explores the fascinating history and relevance of fish peppers, watermelons, sweet potatoes, collards, peanuts and other legacy vegetables that still endure today.

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CUTTING GARDENS SERIES 

In this exciting series, you’ll have the opportunity to learn how to cultivate a stunning and healthy cutting garden right at home, guided by local flower farmer Conner Parrish of Blossoming Roots Farm and Supply. This comprehensive series of classes will take you from the basics of seed starting all the way through to harvesting and arranging your blooms. What’s more, each session includes take-home materials, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned right in your backyard! You’ll leave every class equipped with practical knowledge and resources to build your very own professional cut flower beds. Get ready to transform your outdoor space into a flourishing garden filled with beauty and abundance!

NEW! Prep, Planning, and Seed Starting | January 25 | IN-PERSON

Dive into the vibrant world of flower farming with Conner Parrish from Blossoming Roots Farm and Supply! This dynamic crash course will immerse you in the art of prepping your garden, crafting stunning layouts, and selecting quality seeds and growing equipment. Unleash your creativity as you learn the secrets of cut flower seed starting, including ideal germination conditions, timing for planting, and effective transplanting techniques.

NEW! Cutting Gardens: Bed Prep & Planting | April 12 | IN-PERSON

This exciting course will guide you through the art of preparing your garden beds with rich organic soil amendments, setting the stage for success. You’ll learn how to make your own fertilizers and amendments that are crucial for your success and beneficial for the living environment around your garden. Discover the secrets to planting your starter plants and watch your cutting garden come to life with vibrant blooms.

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GARDEN THROUGH THE YEAR WITH PEGGY SINGLEMANN SERIES 

Join horticulturist and Virginia Home Grown host Peggy Singlemann at the Garden for information sessions on a variety of seasonal gardening topics. Peggy offers timely tips for your garden and all programs include a walk in the Garden with Peggy to illustrate examples. 

NEW! How to Grow and Prune Roses | February 8 | IN-PERSON

Growing roses should not be intimidating. In this course you will learn the ins and outs of caring for and pruning roses. Begin in the Cochrane Rose Garden where Peggy Singlemann and Garden Assistant Horticulturist, Harley Robbins, will demonstrate rose pruning practices. Participants will gain hands on experience as they are guided through the steps of rose pruning. Reconvening in the classroom, Peggy will then share month by month steps in caring for these lovely queens of the garden.

NEW! Embracing Companion Planting | April 5 | IN-PERSON

Growing vegetables sustainably can be achieved by embracing companion planting. Learn how to grow more in a smaller space while managing disease and insect pressures. Discover how pairing some plants enriches the soil biome which improves the flavor of your produce, increases nutrient uptake while minimizing weeds. Matching specific pollinator plants with your vegetables will increase your yield, too. Join me to explore and embrace an alternative method to grow vegetables.

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NEW! Edible Gardens: Regenerative Seed Starting for the Vegetable Gardener | February 8 | IN-PERSON

In this dynamic course, you’ll dive into the most sustainable seed-starting practices that will make your garden eco-friendly, pest-resistant, and bursting with nutrient-dense produce! We’ll explore everything from innovative soil blocking techniques to regenerative and organic tips and tricks, along with expert advice on seed sourcing and much more. But that’s not all—you’ll walk away with an exciting starter kit that includes seeds, pre-made soil, and essential amendments to kick off the 2025 growing season in style!

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Spring Planting for Pollinators | February 23 | 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.

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Mushroom Cultivation | March 8 | IN-PERSON

Mushrooms may be the most fascinating organisms on the planet. With over 2,189 types of edible mushrooms that grow around the world, there are so many unique varieties to explore. Join Will Nelson, gardener extraordinaire, in this class to learn how to cultivate your own gourmet and medicinal mushrooms at home. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a curious novice, this hands-on workshop will equip you with the skills to cultivate mushrooms both indoors and outdoors.

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Beginner Native Perennials for the Home Garden | March 15 | IN-PERSON

Learn the basics of how to use native perennial plants in your home garden! Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, for an introduction to the ornamental & environmental benefits of commonly available native Virginia flowers, grasses, and sedges. At the end of the class students will be able to select x6 native plants to take home in a Parallel Nursery Mix & Match 6 Pack.

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Creating a Kitchen Garden | March 15 | IN-PERSON

Kitchen gardens are made for intensive cultivation, so they are usually smaller than traditional vegetable plots, can easily be fenced to deter deer and other critters, and they can look lovely! Mark Ragland helps you realize your kitchen garden in time for you to get your hands dirty and creative juices flowing for the spring thaw. Mark covers planning, preparation, and plant selection with a trip to the Garden’s Kroger Community Kitchen Garden for inspiration.

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Bonsai for Beginners | March 28 | IN-PERSON

In this workshop, Conservatory Horticulturist Jayton Howard will dive into the origins and history of bonsai, how to care for and plant a bonsai and teach some basic bonsai training techniques. We’ll learn these techniques through the planting and training of your very own starter bonsai that you will get to take home with you and grow into a mighty bonsai. This workshop is geared toward bonsai beginners and no previous bonsai knowledge is necessary.

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Berry Bliss: Strawberry Container Gardening | March 29 | IN-PERSON

Explore the art of cultivating strawberries on patios, decks, and small spaces using containers with instructor Will Nelson, who operates a local gardening business called “Will to Plant.” Learn about selecting containers, choosing ideal strawberry varieties, proper planting techniques, maintenance, and harvesting tips to ensure a bountiful yield. Take home five bare-root, day-neutral strawberry plants and a container, ready to kick-start your own strawberry-growing adventure.

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Growing and Using Culinary Herbs | April 12 | IN-PERSON

Fresh herbs add flavor to your favorite dishes and beauty to your garden, patio or deck. Avoid extra expense at the grocery store by growing your own often used culinary herbs. In this class, join foodie, world traveler and herbal expert Mark Ragland and learn how to successfully grow herbs in your garden. Then explore exciting and delicious ways to use them in your kitchen.

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Making Magical Terrariums & Micro-Gardens | April 18 | IN-PERSON

A terrarium is a simple but magical creation: it refers to any container—sealable or open-air—that contains soil and plants that can be maintained over time to help the plants flourish. In this workshop, instructor Jayton Howard (Horticulture Section Leader, West Section) will unearth the history of terrariums, including the story behind the first credited terrarium, which started as an accidental experiment in the 1800s. You’ll have the opportunity to get your hands dirty as you make your own magical mini-garden in a small jar.

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NEW! Container Gardening with Native Plants | April 19 | IN-PERSON

In this hands-on workshop, learn how to use native perennial plants in your container gardens! Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, to examine what makes a native plant species a good container plant, how to create visually appealing plant combinations in the sun or shade, and which commonly available native perennials would be best suited for pots in the central VA area. Choose from a custom selection of native species and use what you have learned to build your very own container garden to take home.

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For creative workshops where you can use live plants to make plant creations to take home, check out our Plant Play: Make and Take Workshops learning category!