Upcoming Events
You’ll find a listing of all our current classes and events below. (Prefer a calendar view? Here you go.) If something catches your eye, click on it for more information and to register. We also include a run-down of upcoming events in The Civic Gardener each month, which is a great way to stay in the loop!
The Practice of Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing is a mindful practice of bathing in the forest atmosphere for health and happiness. This beginner-friendly experience will cover a brief history of forest bathing, guided sensory invitations practiced in silence and optional sharing before closing with tea and cookies from foraged foods.
INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Foley
COST: $20
HUB Garden Class: Pest ID & Management
Join us in the Concord Community Garden to learn proven strategies for safeguarding your garden without the use of harmful chemicals. Explore natural methods, beneficial insects and other approaches to effectively protect your plants from pests and disease while promoting a sustainable and environmentally friendly garden ecosystem.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Urban Foraging Tour
Learn to identify edible plants in the landscape, their uses and benefits and the history of their relationships to humans! Knowledge of edible plants, both native and weedy varieties, allows us to take control of what we put into our bodies. Knowing these plants’ history also reconnects us to those who came before us and to the place we call home. And foraging is a fun and resourceful way to reduce our environmental impact and appreciate the world around us!
INSTRUCTOR: Howard Zuefle (nursery manager of Growing Value Nursery)
COST: $20
Lil' Sprouts
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!
HUB Garden Class: Container Gardening
Growing vegetables in containers is an easy way to have fresh vegetables all through the summer! If you only have a small space to work with such as a patio, balcony, alleyway, sidewalk or even a rooftop, you can still grow a bountiful garden by choosing the right variety of vegetable plants. In this class at the Carthage Community Garden, we'll cover which types of containers work best for vegetables, sun requirements (that impact what vegetables you can grow), growing media, watering, the best vegetables to grow in containers, the benefits of mulch and fertilization.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
HUB Garden Class: Trellising
Growing vertically is a great option for small spaces or to increase production in your garden. In this beginner-friendly class, we'll discuss the benefits of letting certain crops climb and explore various ways to take your garden to new heights.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Welcome to the Ever Rotating Constantly Changing Circulating Emanating Mystical Earth Pageant
From Mary Kroner, the creator of "X Marks the Spot": It’s high time somebody made a campy, raucous, joyful pageant about the systems of the earth that keep us alive, and this lively bunch of Citizen Artists are doing just that.
COST: $20
CGC Compost Tour
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!
HUB Garden Class: Garden to Plate
Join CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator Kymisha Montgomery for a garden-to-plate event in the Loveland Community Garden! We will harvest from the garden and discuss different vegetables and herbs, including their health benefits. A cooking demonstration will be provided.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Crochet for Beginners
Dive into the world of crochet! In this cozy, hands-on class, Amy Gable of YAM HAPPY will guide participants through the basics of crochet. This class has no “finished project"; rather, we'll focus on experimenting and processing, helping a beginner get comfortable with different tools and yarns. You'll learn a few foundational stitches as well. All supplies are provided.
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Gable (YAM HAPPY)
COST: $35
Hauck Arboretum Tour
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 CGC Horticulturist Julie for an informal walk around Hauck Botanic Garden and discover the history of the park and the plants growing within it.
COST: Free!
HUB Garden Class: Food Preservation
In this class, you'll learn how to can your harvest using the water bath and pressure canning methods. It's a great opportunity for beginners to explore the techniques and equipment needed for safe home canning. You'll be guided through the entire food preservation process, including the scientific reasoning behind today's recommended methods. We'll also debunk food preservation myths and unsafe practices.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
HUB Garden Class: An Herbalist’s Garden
Join local herbalist Meghan Henshaw in the Melrose Medicinal Garden in Walnut Hills as she explains how to identify over 20 different types of perennial medicinal plants that flourish in urban gardens. She will discuss the diverse therapeutic actions of plants such as hibiscus, holy basil, lavender and passionflower as attendees experience the plants in a thriving community greenspace. Herbal iced tea provided during class.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Homegrown Cannabis
Home gardeners can now try their hand at growing Cannabis sp. This crop can require a significant investment on the part of the grower, so 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 / $10 for active CGC volunteers
Herbal Bundle Workshop
Learn about the rich history of plants used to clear and purify spaces with aromatic smoke, known as smudging, saining and saging in a variety of cultures. You'll see different types of aromatic plants growing in the garden, watch a demonstration of how to craft a bioregionally appropriate herbal bundle, then craft your own herbal bundle to take home. All materials provided. Herbal iced tea served during class.
INSTRUCTOR: Meghan Henshaw (Ocotillo Herbals)
COST: $40
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Crochet: The Next Stitches
Dive into the world of crochet! In this cozy, hands-on class, Amy You've got the basics...what's next? This is the perfect class for folks looking to dive further into the world of crochet. Amy Gable of YAM HAPPY will provide a hands-on approach, guiding you through the basics of crochet. We'll cover half double and double stitches, then use them to work on your choice of a hat or scarf. All supplies are provided.
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Gable (YAM HAPPY)
COST: $35
CGC Compost Tour
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!
HUB Garden Class: Garden to Plate (Carthage)
Join CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator Kymisha Montgomery for a garden-to-plate event in the Carthage Community Garden! We will harvest from the garden and discuss different vegetables and herbs, including their health benefits. A cooking demonstration will be provided.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Crochet for Beginners
Dive into the world of crochet! In this cozy, hands-on class, Amy Gable of YAM HAPPY will guide participants through the basics of crochet. This class has no “finished project"; rather, we'll focus on experimenting and processing, helping a beginner get comfortable with different tools and yarns. You'll learn a few foundational stitches as well. All supplies are provided.
INSTRUCTOR: Amy Gable (YAM HAPPY)
COST: $35
HUB Garden Class: Garden to Plate (Camp Washington)
Join CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator Kymisha Montgomery for a garden-to-plate event in the Camp Washington Community Garden! We will harvest from the garden and discuss different vegetables and herbs, including their health benefits. A cooking demonstration will be provided.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Hauck Arboretum Tour
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!
HUB Garden Class: Garden to Plate (St. Bernard)
Join CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator Kymisha Montgomery for a garden-to-plate event in the St. Bernard Community Garden! We will harvest from the garden and discuss different vegetables and herbs, including their health benefits. A cooking demonstration will be provided.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
HUB Garden Class: Plant Pressing
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 class, join the CGC's Luis Aguilar-Dwyer to learn the fundamentals of plant preservation and get some hands-on experience in the garden. No prior experience needed.
COST: FREE with code HUB2025!
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Fall Native Plant Festival
Are you a native plant novice? Expert? Somewhere in between? Join us for the Fall Native Plant Festival! Whether you don’t know what a native plant is or have been growing them for years, this free, multi-vendor celebration of all things native plants is for you. We’ll have the “who’s who” of Cincinnati-area native plant growers as well as vendors, educational sessions, food trucks, a beer garden, live music, kids’ activities and more.
Native Plants for Curb Appeal
Are you a homeowner interested in designing a front yard garden or replacing existing foundation landscaping with native plants? Or do you already have a native plant garden but are looking for design tips or a place to share ideas? Either way, this class will help you get there!
INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: $20
Lil' Sprouts
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!
CGC Compost Tour
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!
Summer Sprouts at the CGC Starts
Join us at the Civic Garden Center this summer for a weekly morning of fun! During this 8-session program designed for children ages 7-11 and their caregivers, we will spend our time together doing all of our favorite activities: gardening, cooking, exploring, crafting and playing games.
COST: $100 per child/caregiver pair.
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Cannabis Cloning, Trimming & Training
Managing your homegrown Cannabis during the vegetative growing stage comes with lots of opportunities to trim and train, resulting in cuttings that can be used to grow new plants. In this lecture-based class, you'll learn how to correctly prune your Cannabis plants, use the cut material to grow clones and train your Cannabis plant to grow to its full potential.
INSTRUCTORS: Stephanie Fransen (CGC Administrative & Facilities Manager) & Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers
Hauck Arboretum Tour
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 CGC Horticulturist Julie for an informal walk around Hauck Botanic Garden and discover the history of the park and the plants growing within it.
COST: Free!
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Kimchi Workshop
Learn to make your own Kimchi from Kimchi master Keys Kim! During this hands-on workshop, you'll watch a demonstration of the initial Kimchi preparation, then season and package some to take home. You'll leave with the knowledge to make your own Kimchi.
INSTRUCTOR: Keys Kim
COST: $35
Pollinator Waystations: Container Gardening for Nature
If you don't have a lot of outdoor space, can you still support our local ecosystem? Yes, you absolutely can! In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn about and assemble your own pollinator-friendly planter to take home.
INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: $50
GrowFest 2025
Join us for a day of celebrating all things urban agriculture and gardening! We’ve expanded our plant selection, and the day will include free educational sessions, the Green Flea, the bake sale, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, kids’ activities, volunteer opportunities and more.
FestEVE!
Miss the old Preview Party? Want to shop GrowFest but can't come on Saturday? Just love any excuse to hang out with plant people? Join us for the first-ever FestEVE! You'll get to shop the GrowFest plant inventory early while you enjoy a spring evening in the garden. Admission includes one drink, and food will be available for purchase from local vendors.
COST: $20
CGC Compost Tour
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!
Grow Your Own Strawberries
Join Nadia Ruffin, MS, for a hands-on class where you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing your own delicious strawberries! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this workshop will guide you through the entire process—from selecting the best strawberry varieties to planting, caring for your plants and harvesting sweet, juicy berries.
INSTRUCTOR: Nadia Ruffin, MS
COST: $20
CANCELED - Arbor Day Party: A Celebration of Trees
The very first Arbor Day was celebrated way back in 1872. This year, we’re celebrating Arbor Day with dedications to our favorite trees in the garden. Join us outside for drinks, snacks and a brief tour to visit some of our most popular trees. Guests are invited to share short readings on trees they love or write their own tree-inspired poetry in the moment.
COST: Free!
Goat Yoga
Come de-stress, laugh, smile, and enjoy the pure silliness and fun of Goat Yoga! In this gentle, beginner-friendly session, you'll learn the basics of stress reduction through yogic breathing and postures while small baby or Nigerian Dwarf goats run about, climb on you, snuggle and bring laughter spontaneously in the moment as only goats can do. Ages 10+
INSTRUCTOR: Farmer Rob (Good Green Earth Farm)
COST: $25
Homegrown Cannabis
Home gardeners can now try their hand at growing Cannabis sp. This crop can require a significant investment on the part of the grower, so 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 / $10 for active CGC volunteers
Basic Ginger & Turmeric Growing
Alongside the carrots, kale or beloved tomato varieties that you're used too, why not try something new—like ginger or turmeric? In this class, you'll learn the basics of the current practices in planting and growing these rhizomes for personal use both in containers and in the ground.
INSTRUCTOR: Kymisha Montgomery (CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator)
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers
Hauck Arboretum Tour
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 CGC Horticulturist Julie for an informal walk around Hauck Botanic Garden and discover the history of the park and the plants growing within it.
COST: Free!
The Practice of Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing is a mindful practice of bathing in the forest atmosphere for health and happiness. This beginner-friendly experience will cover a brief history of forest bathing, guided sensory invitations practiced in silence and optional sharing before closing with tea and cookies from foraged foods.
INSTRUCTOR: Ellen Foley
COST: $20
Essential Garden Herbs
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
Native Plants for Shade
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
Lil' Sprouts
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!
Introduction to Plant Pressing
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 in the field.
INSTRUCTOR: Luis Aguilar (CGC Environmental Education Specialist)
COST: $35
Know Before You Go: Shop for Plants like a Pro
Ever wandered nursery aisles with no idea what you’re looking for? Brought home a beautiful new plant only to have it die? Worried about invasive species, cultivars and nursery jargon? Come learn how to choose the right plants, warning signs to watch for and what to ask before you make your purchase.
INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist)
COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers
Introduction to Native Plants
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
CGC Compost Tour
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!
POSTPONED: Introduction to Native Plants
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
Backyard Chickens for Egg Production
Does having a hyper-local source of fresh eggs sound appealing? This class will cover the basics of keeping small flocks of backyard chickens for egg production. Presenters will share information about securing coops, maintaining healthy hens and handling the challenges of urban chicken tending gleaned from their own firsthand experience.
INSTRUCTORS: Dominique Ellison & Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers
Nature Journaling: The Art of Noticing
Unwind and connect with nature through the relaxing and enjoyable process of documenting the natural world using sketches, poems and notes. Participants of all skill levels will learn new ways to look at the wonders of nature—truly noticing instead of simply seeing. Enjoy the opportunity to slow down as you find new ways to settle into the natural world.
INSTRUCTORS: Ellen Foley & Lisa Koepke
COST: $20