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!
Managing Rainwater
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
Holloway Hope Community Garden Workday
We’ll be weeding and doing other garden maintenance.
Botany Bistro To-Go: Brassicaceae Family
There’s always a table reserved for you at the Botany Bistro! Here you can munch on bite-sized botany as you savor the science of plants. In 2025, Season 2 of this free, virtual botanical banquet focuses on 24 different plant families, exploring their unique characteristics and ways they have adapted through time. This session is all about the Brassicaceae family.
COST: Free!
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
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
Pleasant Street Garden Workday
We’ll be spreading soil, refreshing woodchip paths and aerating the compost heap.
CANCELED - Rewilding Forest Park Workday
Unfortunately, this workday has been canceled.
Parker Woods Orchard Workday
We’ll be cutting back last year's raspberries, giving the fruit trees some fresh mulch and doing some light pruning.
Volunteer Kick-Off Party
Help us kick off the best gardening season ever during this annual volunteer celebration!
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!
Lower Price Hill Gardens Workday
We’ll be using wheelbarrows to deliver soil shipments to home gardens located within a block of the community garden.
Spring Grove Village Community Garden Workday
We’ll be adding leaf compost to garden beds and doing some weeding.
MLK Community Garden Workday
We’ll be weeding and tilling to get the garden ready for spring planting.
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 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
West McMicken Community Garden Workday
We’ll primarily be collecting, splitting and transplanting native plants.
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!
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
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
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
Green Learning Station Tour
Have you checked out our Green Learning Station recently? We have rooftop gardens, a compost demonstration area, rainwater catchment systems and an indoor green wall, just to name a few of our current projects! Join us for an informative, informal tour and have your sustainability questions answered by Mary Dudley, our Director of Education.
COST: Free!
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!
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
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
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
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!
Spring Grove Village Community Garden Workday
We’ll be clearing space for professional tree trimmers, weeding and spreading compost.
Closed
The CGC is closed in preparation for GrowFest on Saturday, May 3. There will be no Lil’ Sprouts. Instead, please join us for GrowFest, which will include plants, educational sessions, food and fun for the whole family!
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!
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
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.
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!
Green Learning Station Tour
Have you checked out our Green Learning Station recently? We have rooftop gardens, a compost demonstration area, rainwater catchment systems and an indoor green wall, just to name a few of our current projects! Join us for an informative, informal tour and have your sustainability questions answered by Mary Dudley, our Director of Education.
COST: Free!
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!
Closed for Memorial Day
Except for Lil’ Sprouts from 9-10:3am, the CGC is closed in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll see you on Tuesday!
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!
Closed for Juneteenth
The CGC is closed in observance of Juneteenth. We’ll see you on Friday!
Closed for the Fourth of July
The CGC is closed in observance of the Fourth of July. We’ll see you next week!
Closed for Labor Day
The CGC is closed in observance of Labor Day. We’ll see you next week!
Closed for Thanksgiving
The CGC is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. We’ll see you next week!
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!
Botany Bistro LIVE!
Join us for a LIVE Botany Bistro gathering! We’ll celebrate the transition of the seasons from winter to spring, uncover the unseen production challenges of the first five episodes of our 2025 Bistro To-Go series and hold a Q&A (question and answer) session.
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
COST: Free!
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!
Green Learning Station Tour
Have you checked out our Green Learning Station recently? We have rooftop gardens, a compost demonstration area, rainwater catchment systems and an indoor green wall, just to name a few of our current projects! Join us for an informative, informal tour and have your sustainability questions answered by Mary Dudley, our Director of Education.
COST: Free!
Compost Basics
You’ve heard you should compost…now it’s time to learn how! This beginner-friendly class will cover the basics of outdoor composting, vermicompost and bokashi. You'll also learn what a healthy compost pile requires to be productive and ways to troubleshoot common issues.
INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers
Compost Kids Facilitator Training
Learn to lead the stations in our Compost Kids field trip for K-6 students!
RESCHEDULED - West McMicken Community Garden Workday
We’ll primarily be collecting, splitting and transplanting native plants.
RESCHEDULED - Parker Woods Orchard Workday
We’ll be cutting back last year's raspberries, giving the fruit trees some fresh mulch and doing some light pruning.
Botany Bistro To-Go: Ranunculaceae Family
There’s always a table reserved for you at the Botany Bistro! Here you can munch on bite-sized botany as you savor the science of plants. In 2025, Season 2 of this free, virtual botanical banquet focuses on 24 different plant families, exploring their unique characteristics and ways they have adapted through time. This session is all about the Ranunculaceae family.
COST: Free!
Growing Degree Days: Using Phenology to Plan Your Garden
The weather can seem unpredictable these days, but plants’ growth in the spring is easy to determine with just one simple tool: phenology, the study of how biological events are influenced by seasonal factors. In this class, you’ll learn how to track phenological events to become a garden psychic.
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!
Seed Starting
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
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!
Concord Community Garden Workday
We’ll be finishing a chicken coop, building garden beds and pruning raspberry bushes.
Plant Disease & Integrated Pest Management
Come 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: Fern Gulley (School Horticulture Program Coordinator for The Ohio State University, OSU Extension Office)
COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers
Botany Bistro To-Go: Crassulaceae Family
There’s always a table reserved for you at the Botany Bistro! Here you can munch on bite-sized botany as you savor the science of plants. In 2025, Season 2 of this free, virtual botanical banquet focuses on 24 different plant families, exploring their unique characteristics and ways they have adapted through time. This session is all about the Crassulaceae family.
COST: Free!
Houseplant How-To: Flowering Houseplants
Houseplants are wonderful additions to any indoor décor. Caring for them can be a bit tricky, but once you have the know-how, you can enjoy growing a diverse array of plants indoors through any season! Flowering Houseplants will cover the needs of orchids, peace lilies, cyclamen, poinsettia, kalanchoe, jasmine and begonia plants. We'll discuss additional inputs required for reliable blooms.
INSTRUCTORS: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist) & Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
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 offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. Learners of all levels are welcome to join in and further their knowledge of plants.
Beginning Beekeeping Series Starts
This three-part introductory course is geared toward interested non-beekeepers. Novice beekeepers are also welcome! Topics covered will include getting started, ordering and using equipment, costs, how to get your bees, where to place your bees, protective clothing and more.
INSTRUCTORS: Randy Morgan (Emeritus Curator-Insectarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden); Phil Hucke (Certified Arborist); and Ray Babcock (Past President, Southwestern Ohio Beekeepers Association – SWOBA)
COST: $50
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. Which native plants are blooming this week? What wildlife visitors will you meet? How will you be inspired with ideas for your own landscape?
Join CGC Horticulturist Julie for an informal walk around Hauck Botanic Garden and learn all about the history of the park and the plants growing within it.
This half-mile tour will involve several steps and some uneven paths. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress for rain or shine.
These free tours are held once a month, no registration required. You can also make a morning of it and come to our GLS tour from 10-11am! See our calendar for additional dates.
Green Learning Station Tour
Have you checked out our Green Learning Station recently? We have rooftop gardens, a compost demonstration area, rainwater catchment systems and an indoor green wall, just to name a few of our current projects! Join us for an informative, informal tour and have your sustainability questions answered by Mary Dudley, our Director of Education.
These free tours are held once a month, no registration required. You can also make a morning of it and come to our Hauck Arboretum tour from 11am-12pm! See our calendar for additional dates.
Questions? Call (513) 221-0981 or email Mary Dudley: mdudley@civicgardencenter.org.
Houseplant How-To: Vibrant Houseplant Foliage
Houseplants are wonderful additions to any indoor décor, whether it be at home, the office or a favorite restaurant. Caring for these indoor gardens can be a bit tricky, but once you have the know-how, you can enjoy growing a diverse array of plants indoors through any season!
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.
Indoor plants can be a much-needed pop of color any time of the year. Vibrant Houseplant Foliage will highlight the wide array of colorful leaves found in these species: croton, calathea, peperomia, oxalis, arrowhead and alocasia. Understanding the needs of these plants is crucial for vibrant leaf color.
Instructors: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist) and Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
Cost: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers
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
Homemade Wine
Discover the art and science of winemaking in this engaging hands-on workshop! Together, we’ll explore Cincinnati’s rich winemaking history, learn about native grape varieties and craft personalized wine recipes to ferment at home. You’ll participate in a guided tasting of four different wines to sharpen your palate and gather inspiration for your creations. (An NA option will also be available.) We’ll introduce basic chemistry concepts related to wine, such as fermentation and balancing acidity, explained in simple, accessible terms for beginners.
By the end of the event, you’ll feel confident, inspired and ready to embark on your homemade wine adventure! You'll even head home with a pint of ingredients necessary for at home fermentation so you can put your new knowledge into action.
No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided, with optional supplies available for purchase afterward. Participants must be 21+.
Instructor: Luis Aguilar, Terrariums with a Twist
Cost: $50
This class is sold out, but you can join the waitlist!
Meet Your Instructor: Originally from Houston, Texas, Luis Aguilar of Terrariums with a Twist brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to winemaking education. After moving to Cincinnati four years ago, Luis began working at a local winery, where he honed his skills in crafting & rectifying wines. His role involved hands-on lab work, carefully tasting and adjusting elements to ensure the best balance and meet the specifications of each product.
With over a decade of experience as a wine enthusiast and a solid academic foundation in Environmental Biology from the University of Houston-Downtown, Luis is deeply passionate about the art and science of fermentation. His studies provided a strong understanding of the biological and chemical processes that contribute to winemaking, blending his love for plants, nature, and the craft of creating with exceptional taste.
In January 2023, Luis launched his own business offering terrarium-making workshops at local non-profits and bars, combining his passion for plants and fermentation. Now, he expands this expertise by hosting homemade wine-making workshops, teaching others what he has learned, and inspiring a deeper appreciation for plants.
Luis believes that winemaking is a craft anyone can embrace and master, regardless of experience. His goal is to make the world of wines and spirits more approachable, empowering participants to embrace their inner winemaker. Luis invites you to join him on a journey that celebrates both the flavors and the fascinating science behind winemaking. Give it a try: Wine not?
Basic Organic Vegetable Gardening: Regenerative Agriculture
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
This class is also part of our Civic Gardener Development Training (CGDT) series. If you’re already registered for the series, you don’t need to register here. If you aren’t interested in the series, you can still take this class as a one-off!
Botany Bistro To-Go: Bignoniaceae Family
There’s always a table reserved for you at the Botany Bistro! Here you can munch on bite-sized botany as you savor the science of plants. In 2025, Season 2 of this free, virtual botanical banquet is focused on 24 different plant families, exploring their unique characteristics and ways they have adapted through time. New videos are uploaded on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at noon. Want a link to each video once it’s up? Sign up here!
This session is all about Bignoniaceae, a family of flowering, typically woody plants commonly known as the bignonias or trumpet vines.
Seasonally, Botany Bistro will also meet virtually “live” to celebrate the equinoxes/solstices, chat about our adventures, hear about Mary’s behind the scenes bloopers and address questions sent in via the form linked in each video’s description on our YouTube channel.
To see the full schedule, meet the instructor, access the Botany Bistro archive and sign up for email notifications, click on Learn More below.
Houseplant How-To: Vining Houseplants
Houseplants are wonderful additions to any indoor décor, whether it be at home, the office or a favorite restaurant. Caring for these indoor gardens can be a bit tricky, but once you have the know-how, you can enjoy growing a diverse array of plants indoors through any season!
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 Vining Houseplants, we'll look at those trailing vines and training tendrils that add texture to any indoor space. With the proper care, these plants can be divided and given away to friends or used to increase your own inventory. This class will focus on the following species: ivy, tradescantia, pothos, philodendron, monstera, hoya and string of pearls.
Instructors: Julie Dennewitz (CGC Horticulturist) and Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
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 offers our youngest gardeners and nature lovers an opportunity to learn more about the natural world. Learners of all levels are welcome to join in and further their knowledge of plants.