If you’ve ever wished you could capture nature and keep it forever, this class will show you exactly how!

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. We’ll cover essential resin safety practices, proper curing techniques, UV protection methods to prevent yellowing and step-by-step application techniques (including brushing and layering resin for clarity and durability). You'll leave with beautifully preserved botanical pieces ready for display or incorporation into jewelry, artwork or mixed media projects along with the confidence and technical knowledge to continue creating at home.

INSTRUCTOR: Breanna Cole

COST: $100 (all materials included)

Come explore the wonderful world of tomatoes—just in time for the CGC's GrowFest plant sale on Saturday, May 2, which is known for its wide selection! You'll learn what type of tomato plant works best for your garden or patio, how to plant prune and stake your tomato plants, the difference between heirloom and hybrid, seed saving, disease prevention and integrated pest management (IPM). What better way to set yourself up for a successful tomato season?

INSTRUCTOR: Kymisha Montgomery (CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

The power of plants connects us and helps us maintain healthy, thriving lives. Join the Civic Garden Center to explore new worlds of plants while you relate to the familiarity of the sights and sounds of a beautiful historic garden. Each session will include a slideshow of local plants, a short lecture on international plant habitats and cultural agricultural practices, followed by an interactive hands-on horticultural activity.

Free and welcoming to all.

Want to maximize your options for cultivating fruits and veggies? Container gardening is a great option! In this beginner-friendly class, you’ll learn how to choose the right containers, soil amendments and plant varieties for a successful harvest. You'll leave with the confidence to grow all season long and a list of plants best suited for container gardening in the Cincinnati region.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Native plants are the cornerstone of a healthy ecosystem. Native shrubs especially are essential for supporting birds and other wildlife...but in every discussion, native perennials seem to get all the love! This class is dedicated to the wonderful native shrubs that grow in our region and all the benefits that they provide. We’ll start by introducing some of our favorite species, give an overview of how to plant and care for them, then (weather permitting) take a tour around the Hauck Botanic Garden to see some mature specimens growing in the landscape.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

The CHPL Bird Nerds invite you to come see why birding is an incredible way to connect yourself to nature! Whatever your level of nature awareness, or knowledge of birds, you’re welcome to join us to will learn the who, where, how and why of birding.

INSTRUCTOR: Lea Shull

COST: Free (registration required)

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!

In this class, we’ll cover the current science on nativars’ impact on pollinators and some of our favorite varieties—as well as a few we recommend avoiding. Then we’ll take a tour around Hauck Botanic Garden to see some nativars growing in the landscape. You’ll leave with a better understanding of what these plants are and how you can make them work in your native plant garden.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Plant pressing is more than just a creative hobby—it’s a way to document, appreciate and preserve the rich biodiversity that surrounds us; to connect with nature, slow down and truly observe the intricate details of plants that often go unnoticed. In this introductory workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of plant preservation while getting hands-on experience and creating your own pressed-flower layout to take home.

INSTRUCTOR: Luis Aguilar-Dwyer (CGC Environmental Education Specialist)

COST: $35

Since growing Cannabis sp. can require a significant investment on the part of the grower, it's important to learn best practices before starting out. This course will cover the botany of Cannabis sp. and the process of how to successfully grow it.

INSTRUCTORS: Stephanie Fransen (CGC Administrative & Facilities Manager) & Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Native plants are the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems. Discover the simplicity of local plants and thriving, sustainable habitats while you learn the basics of why and how to embrace native plants in our local landscape. This basic overview class will focus on healthy ecosystems and highlight some of our favorite native plants.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

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!

Early spring is the ideal time to get overgrown trees and shrubs trimmed back and ready for the season. In this class, we’ll clear up all your pruning confusion as we cover specific techniques for each type of woody plant. Then, weather permitting, we’ll get out into the garden for some hands-on practice.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Gardening with herbs lets you to freshen up your favorite recipes, cultivate natural medicines and foster ecologically sound gardening methods. This class will cover the basics of growing and using herbs for tea, cooking, medicine and cleaning. We'll taste common herbs and discuss recipes to try at home.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Finding native plants for the shady parts of your garden can be such a struggle. Traditional shade gardens tend to rely on exotic—and even invasive—species, and native shade plants are still so hard to find. This class will explore native plants that have evolved to thrive in shady conditions.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

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!

Many of the plants that grow in our yards and gardens have medicinal properties that can be used to treat minor skin irritations, relieve the itch of a bug bite or provide protection in dry conditions. This hands-on workshop will cover the basic process of making handmade herbal salves and balms, giving you the skills to create your own unique creations! You'll go home with resources for making herbal salves and balms as well as your very own herbal salve.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $35

Knowing how to capture and store rainwater gives gardeners vital access to a necessary resource for thriving plants. Come learn the basics of managing rainwater, including building rain gardens, capturing and storing rain for future use, and plants that do well in our climate.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Start the new year off right with a clean home using homemade products. You'll learn about time-tested methods while avoiding the harsh chemicals that harm our health and environment. The ingredients you need might already be in your cupboard! You'll leave with your own 8-ounce cleaning solution and the knowledge to make your space shine.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

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!

Start the new year off right with a clean home using homemade products. You'll learn about time-tested methods while avoiding the harsh chemicals that harm our health and environment. The ingredients you need might already be in your cupboard! You'll leave with your own 8-ounce cleaning solution and the knowledge to make your space shine.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $35

Learn the principles and practices of integrated pest management and how to choose the most appropriate method of control, with emphasis on sustainable remedies and techniques. We'll also discuss how to identify plant disease and symptoms and implement basic control measures and disease management strategies.

INSTRUCTOR: Carter Spires (ANR Extension Educator, Southern Region, Central State University Extension)

COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

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!

Ever wanted to start your own plants from seed—but felt overwhelmed or intimidated by the task? This class will simplify the process! You'll learn what supplies you do and don't need, best practices for achieving great germination rates and how to support healthy, strong seedlings to set you up for a successful gardening season to come.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

​You’ve begun removing the invasive plants from your property...now what?

Once invasive plants have been removed, it’s important to start establishing native plants in their place. In this class, we'll focus on the steps that follow invasive plant removal and what it takes to establish a healthy native plant community on your property. We'll discuss timelines, site conditions, planting options, species selection and ongoing maintenance.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)

COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

Come explore a wide range of topics related to regenerative agriculture, including enhancing soil and plant health, biodiversity and principles of a healthy ecosystem. We'll also discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in implementing these practices.

INSTRUCTOR: Kymisha Montgomery (CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator)

COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

Want fresh vegetables but feel daunted by the idea of all that planting, weeding and watering? Here’s when to start, what to grow, and how to succeed in growing a bountiful vegetable garden. Gardeners of all skill levels are welcome.

INSTRUCTOR: Kymisha Montgomery (CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator)

COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

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!

Each class in our Houseplant How-To series will include a deep dive into specific indoor plant species, their unique characteristics and growing needs, common problems associated with their long-term care and the best ways to propagate them. In Indoor Jungles, we’ll cover the color foliage, vibrant vines and indoor trees that can give a home that tropical feel even in the coldest days of winter.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Each class in our Houseplant How-To series will include a deep dive into specific indoor plant species, their unique characteristics and growing needs, common problems associated with their long-term care and the best ways to propagate them. In Indoor Jungles, we’ll cover the color foliage, vibrant vines and indoor trees that can give a home that tropical feel even in the coldest days of winter.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)

COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers