Classes & Events
What do you want to learn about? Here’s a list of all the classes and events on our calendar at the moment. Click through to learn more and register.
Kickstart your week with a trip to the garden and engage in seasonally relevant activities with the Lil’ Sprouts in your life! This free drop-in series for children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. We hold Lil' Sprouts on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
COST: Free!
The Hauck Arboretum may just be Cincinnati’s best kept botanical secret! A stroll along the pathways of this historic public garden reveals new surprises on each visit. Join us for an informal walk around Hauck Botanic Garden and discover the history of the park and the plants growing within it.
COST: Free!
The CHPL Bird Nerds and the Civic Garden Center invite you to come discover why birdwatching is the ideal activity to combine with the practice of mindfulness! Mindful birdwatching is birdwatching quietly, intentionally and calmly while engaging with the natural world around you! Traditional bird watching is often associated with bird checklists, field guides and carrying binoculars or cameras, which can all be fun, but we’re inviting you to come to enjoy a more meditative approach.
FACILITATOR: Lea Shull
COST: Free!
Learn how to turn a dried-out stem of dogbane into a strong rope—and how that rope can be used to ignite fire from materials commonly found in local fields and forests.
INSTRUCTOR: Howie Zuefle
COST: $35
The flowers in the garden have put on quite a show... but what’s this!? An encore! After the bloom comes the seed, and knowing how and when to harvest is the key to a gardener’s two favorite words: free plants! Let's go seed hunting and chat about how to prepare the bounty for next year.
FACILITATOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: Included with CGC membership
In this introductory class, you'll learn the fundamentals of plant preservation. No prior experience needed! After a demonstration of how to press flowers or leaves, you'll create a small piece of art with pressed botanical materials to take home.
INSTRUCTOR: Luis Aguilar-Dwyer (CGC Environmental Education Specialist)
COST: $35
Love looking at plants? Learn how to draw one! Get in touch with the joy of drawing as you look more closely at the wide variety of plants growing at Hauck Botanic Garden—even if you've never drawn before.
INSTRUCTOR: Gratia Banta
COST: $50
Kickstart your week with a trip to the garden and engage in seasonally relevant activities with the Lil’ Sprouts in your life! This free drop-in series for children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. We hold Lil' Sprouts on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
COST: Free!
In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to properly dry, seal, and coat real botanicals in resin so they remain vibrant, protected, and long-lasting, then make your own unique pieces to take home.
If you'd like, join us for an optional harvesting session from 9:30-10:30am on Saturday, September 26. You're welcome to come harvest botanical material to preserve from the CGC grounds or bring pieces from home to be preserved in time for the jewelry-making workshop on November 1.
INSTRUCTOR: Breanna Cole
COST: $100
Join local baker Kate Nycz from North South Baking Co. to learn the process of making focaccia! You'll get hands-on to make some dough, learning tips and secrets from Kate along the way. At the end of class, you'll take your dough with you to let it finish rising and bake it at home.
INSTRUCTOR: Kate Nycz, owner of North South Baking Co.
COST: $35
Did you know that the CGC is host to seven different types of composting systems? Take a walk with us to learn about the different methods of composting we have and how you can incorporate composting into your life! You’ll see Earth Cubes, vermicompost, bokashi, Johnson-Su bioreactors, a three-bin system, a tumbler, and a top-loading composter.
COST: Free!
Come out and play: Learn basic block printing and create your own art! In this hands-on workshop, Amy Gable of Yam Happy will guide you through designing your own stamp, transferring it to linoleum, and carving your own block. You’ll have time to use your stamp to print on paper, stickers, and a zippered pouch to take home along with your stamp. All materials will be provided.
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Gable
COST: $35
Jam as preservation is a fun, accessible way to reclaim our access to food while getting more out of our pantry. Whether you need to preserve a bountiful harvest, use up leftover produce, or make sure those tomatoes your kid decided they don't like anymore don't go to waste, your problem can be solved by a jam or jelly!
We'll begin with a brief lecture and a tasting, then go over specific directions. You'll work in groups to prepare our chosen recipes (a savory jam and a sweet jelly), and we'll end with some time for Q&A.
INSTRUCTOR: Victoria Hennings (CGC Community Engagement Coordinator)
COST: $35
Kickstart your week with a trip to the garden and engage in seasonally relevant activities with the Lil’ Sprouts in your life! This free drop-in series for children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. We hold Lil' Sprouts on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
COST: Free!
A sturdy set of garden tools, well cared for, can be lifelong partners in all your outdoor adventures! This hands-on demonstration of proper tool maintenance will include simple methods for cleaning, sharpening, and using your favorite garden tools.
Have a dull spade or rusty pair of pruners lying around? Bring it along for a touch-up. You're also welcome to practice with the tools we'll provide. By the time you leave, we hope you're feeling confident in garden tool care and ready to save money by making your tools last a lifetime!
INSTRUCTOR: Jack Parlin (CGC Program Associate)
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers
Fall is the perfect time for collecting and sharing seeds and extra plants. Join us for a casual potluck and leave with ornamental plants and seeds from fellow CGC members’ gardens!
See event description for details.
COST: Included with active CGC membership
Botanical gin is in, and we're here to help you make your own! In this class, we'll cover the basics of harvesting garden treasures to create your very own infusion. We'll learn about the different flavoring elements used in traditional and modern gin distilling and sample some native botanicals.
You'll leave with your own botanical blend and instructions for infusing it into the vodka of your choice after class. Make your next dinner party pop when you serve your own unique botanical gin! (This event is 21+.)
INSTRUCTORS: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist) and Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
COST: $35
For our final performance in the 2026 Hauck Concert Series, we’ll gather together in the CGC’s auditorium to hear beautiful string quartet music. Throughout the afternoon, we’ll share spiced wine and mulled cider, light bites, guided conversation and good company. At the end of the event, we’ll raffle off the one-of-a-kind centerpieces–all made by CGC Horticulturist Julie from garden findings–for lucky audience members to take home. Each ticket includes one (1) drink ticket and light bites.
PRICING:
Through December 15, all four concerts in the series can be purchased together for a discounted series price of $125 (a $35 savings)! (Please note that ticket exchanges and partial refunds are not available on series tickets.)
Starting December 16, any remaining tickets to individual concerts will be available for purchase; see pricing information for individual concerts below.
Learn how to create a seasonal wreath or centerpiece with materials gathered from the garden! These all-natural works of art can be enjoyed through the holiday season and beyond. We’ll supply woven wreath forms, wire and tools and assist you in harvesting and constructing your own personalized autumn décor piece.
INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: $35
The Hauck Arboretum may just be Cincinnati’s best kept botanical secret! A stroll along the pathways of this historic public garden reveals new surprises on each visit. Join us for an informal walk around Hauck Botanic Garden and discover the history of the park and the plants growing within it.
COST: Free!
Kickstart your week with a trip to the garden and engage in seasonally relevant activities with the Lil’ Sprouts in your life! This free drop-in series for children ages 3 to 8 and their caregivers offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. We hold Lil' Sprouts on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
COST: Free!
Join us for a beloved annual CGC event!
Choose to create a centerpiece, wreath, garland, or swag. We'll supply a bundle of fresh cut greens, ribbon, and wreath forms or centerpiece trays you can slip into your own container at home. Plan to bring your own pruners, wire-cutters or scissors. Gloves are recommended.
Warm refreshments and holiday spirit will be on tap! A limited quantity of extra greens and a selection of arrangement accents will be available for purchase.
INSTRUCTORS: Sue Sturgeon (Master Gardener) and Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: $50
Join us for a beloved annual CGC event!
Choose to create a centerpiece, wreath, garland, or swag. We'll supply a bundle of fresh cut greens, ribbon, and wreath forms or centerpiece trays you can slip into your own container at home. Plan to bring your own pruners, wire-cutters or scissors. Gloves are recommended.
Warm refreshments and holiday spirit will be on tap! A limited quantity of extra greens and a selection of arrangement accents will be available for purchase.
INSTRUCTORS: Sue Sturgeon (Master Gardener) and Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: $50
Please join us for our annual Winter Open House! This festive community appreciation event is open to all. Drop by any time between 4:30 and 7pm to celebrate with the CGC community, grab a bite to eat, and let us say THANK YOU for a great year together!
COST: Free (please RSVP so we have a head count)
Sharpen your coffee-tasting skills with Cody Brown, Director of Operations for Proud Hound Coffee!
In this beginner-friendly class, Cody will take you on a deep-dive sensory journey through the world of coffee—including its geography, essential processes (like farming, processing, and roasting), the people around the world who make it possible. After a lecture and demonstration, you'll get hands-on to learn specific tasting skills such as identifying profile notes. You'll also have the opportunity to ask questions.
INSTRUCTOR: Cody Brown (Proud Hound Director of Operations)
COST: $35