Horticulture Program
What is horticulture? It’s the art and science of growing plants, and it’s at the heart of everything we do at the CGC. We've seen, time and again, that gardens and public greenspaces lead to healthier people and more resilient communities. Since our founding in 1942 during the Victory Garden movement, we’ve been teaching people how to propagate, grow, and care for plants of all kinds in every situation. And now we’re teaching people about the ecological role that plants play and the powerful impact they can have on the world around them.
Our urban location, just minutes from downtown Cincinnati in Hauck Botanic Garden, has inspired our Horticulture Program to focus on growing plants in difficult places. And our recognition of the climate crisis and humanity’s role in biodiversity loss has inspired us to plant and promote native plants wherever we can.
Learn more about the vision and values that underlie our Horticulture Program, then explore below to find a program that aligns with your interests!
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A beautiful home landscape can also be one that provides food and habitat to wildlife. Our yards are the perfect places to start protecting biodiversity. Whether you’re brand new to gardening or an experienced gardener looking for a new path forward, we can help you bring ecological horticulture to your yard or other outdoor space.
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The CGC's horticultural principles are reflected in the space we call home: Hauck Botanic Garden. This 10-acre public park is an important urban greenspace, a habitat for insects and wildlife, and home to demonstration gardens, educational spaces, a production vegetable garden, and a diverse collection of trees.
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Want to learn how to garden through hands-on experience, help install a pollinator garden, or clear invasive species from public land? Want to bring your corporate, church, or other group to a volunteer workday? Learn more about our volunteer program and find the team (or teams!) that best fit your interests. Or if you simply want to help a neighbor in their garden (or need some help in yours), check out our Garden Helpers service.
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At the CGC, no one grows alone. By partnering with other local organizations, we can bring nature to those who need it most throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. Whether you’re interested in partnering on a pollinator garden or have something else in mind, we would love to hear from you.