The amazing honey bee is an agriculturally important pollinator threatened by many human activities. Beekeeping—the art and science of managing honey bees—is a fascinating hobby, a fun backyard business and an extensive agro-industry.

This three-part introductory course is intended to encourage and support interested non-beekeepers. Novice beekeepers are also welcome! Over the course of the series, you'll learn about and experience the joy of beekeeping. 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.

Your instructors—experienced members of the Southwestern Ohio Beekeepers Association (SWOBA)—will help you become a successful beekeeper. They are: Randy Morgan (Emeritus Curator-Insectarium, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden); Phil Hucke (Certified Arborist); and Ray Babcock (Past President, Southwestern Ohio Beekeepers Association –SWOBA). Together, they have over 55 years of beekeeping experience!

Dates: 2/21, 2/28 and 3/7 (Fridays) from 6-8pm
Cost: $50 for the three-part series / $45 for active CGC volunteers

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.

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.

Some indoor spaces have enough light to support the growth of flowering plants. 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) and Mary Dudley (CGC Director of Education)
Cost: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Other classes in the series:

• Houseplants for Beginners

• Indoor Trees and Large Houseplants

• Succulent Houseplants

• Vining Houseplants

• Vibrant Houseplant Foliage

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 the Crassulaceae family, also known as the stonecrop or orpine family. Mainly perennial and hardy, members of this family have huge economic importance as collectible, indoor and garden plants.

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.

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.

Cost: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

Instructor: Fern Gulley (School Horticulture Program Coordinator for The Ohio State University, OSU Extension Office)

Fern has been passionate about plants for her entire life. When she chose to pursue this passion by studying horticulture at Purdue University, she learned that her connection to plants was larger than her. Plants impact people and societies in surprising and significant ways. Since then, her focus has shifted from what she can do with plants for their own sake (and for good design) towards a deeper interest in the fantastic things that can happen when plants and people interact.

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!

This class is sold out, but you can join the waitlist!

Did you know that the Civic Garden Center is host to seven different types of composting systems? Take a walk with us as we learn about the different methods of composting we have and how you can incorporate composting into your life! On this tour, you’ll see Earth Cubes, vermicompost, bokashi, Johnson-Su bioreactors, a three-bin system, a tumbler and a top-loading composter.

This tour is held entirely outdoors and may be cancelled in the case of extreme weather.

Cost: Free! No registration required.

Questions? Reach out to Mary Dudley: mdudley@civicgardencenter.org.

Have you ever wanted to start your own plants from seed—but felt overwhelmed or intimidated by the prospect? 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

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.

The weather can seem unpredictable these days. But plants’ growth in the spring is easy to determine with just one simple tool: Phenology. What is phenology? It’s the study of how biological events are influenced by seasonal factors. For example, the way the bees seem to know it’s time to wake up on the same day the first flowers bloom.

Phenology can be used to time plantings and crop rotation, anticipate weeds sprouting and even get ahead of pest invasions. In this class you’ll learn how to track these phenological events to become a garden psychic. You’ll gain an expert understanding of the Growing Degree Calendar and a deeper insight into the patterns of the natural world.

Instructor: Julie Dennewitz, CGC Horticulturist
Cost: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

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 the Ranunculaceae family. Also known as the buttercup or crowfoot family, it’s comprised of over 2,000 known species of flowering plants distributed worldwide. The largest genera are Ranunculus (600 species), Delphinium (365), Thalictrum (330), Clematis (380) and Aconitum (300).

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.

You’ve heard that you should compost…now it’s time to learn how!

Composting is a simple task that each of us can complete responsibly as we strive to reduce the negative effects of environmental degradation and soil loss. Just as essential to our lives as recycling and waste removal, composting has the potential to build healthy soils and reduce landfill area. Whether you're eager to green your lifestyle or increase soil health, there are several options for small-scale composting that can be done at home, in an apartment or in the garden.

This beginner-friendly workshop will cover the basics of outdoor composting, vermicompost and bokashi. Participants will also learn what a healthy compost pile requires to be productive and ways to troubleshoot common issues. Weather permitting, we will walk around the CGC's compost area and discuss the pros and cons of several types of compost systems.

Instructor: Mary Dudley, CGC Director of Education
Cost: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

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.

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.

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.

The unpredictable weather patterns in our region can make gardening very challenging, especially in regards to inconsistent rainfall. Previous garden seasons have been plagued by drought followed by downpour. Knowing how to capture and store rainwater gives gardeners vital access to a necessary resource for thriving plants.

This class will cover the basics of managing rainwater, including the building of rain gardens and capturing and storing rain for future use. You'll walk away with a list of plants that do well in our climate, too. Weather permitting, we will walk around the CGC grounds and discuss our rainwater collection systems.

Instructor: Mary Dudley, CGC Director of Education
Cost: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

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 the Brassicaceae family, an economically important family of flowering plants commonly known as the mustards, the crucifers or the cabbage family. The family contains species such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli and collards.

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.

​Unwind and connect with nature through this relaxing and enjoyable process of documenting the natural world using sketches, poems and notes. In this class, you'll learn new ways to look at the wonders of nature around you—​truly noticing instead of simply seeing. Come enjoy the opportunity to slow down and enhance curiosity as you record your observations, finding new ways to settle into the natural world.

No artistic skill or experience is required, though experienced artists will have the opportunity to work with Lisa on their drawing/painting skills. Clipboards, paper and pencils are provided.​

​MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS:

ELLEN FOLEY's love of the land inspires her to create opportunities for others to experience connecting with nature. She had been leading forest bathing programs at various locations in the Cincinnati area for many years and has recently added nature journaling programs. Ellen is excited about introducing the practice of nature journaling to groups at the Civic Garden Center. Ellen has a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in landscape architecture.

LISA KOEPKE is a lifelong nature enthusiast and fine artist. With a rich career in branding, packaging, and graphic design consulting, Lisa now focuses on fostering and supporting Nature Journaling projects. Lisa emphasizes hands-on, in-person experiences, welcoming participants of all ages and skill levels to engage at their own pace and comfort.

COST: $20

Does the idea of having a hyper-local source of fresh eggs year round sound appealing? You can’t get much more local than your own backyard! Add a small flock of egg-laying hens to your homestead for power-packed protein.

This lecture-style class will cover the basics for keeping small flocks of backyard chickens for the purpose of egg production. The presenters will share personal knowledge from their experience securing coops, maintaining healthy hens and handling the challenges of urban chicken tending. You'll leave feeling empowered to care for backyard chickens and troubleshoot challenges that arise.

This class is geared toward beginners, though those with experience are welcome to participate (and share their success stories!). Children ages 8 and up are welcome to attend with their guardians.

Meet Your Instructors:

Dominique Ellison has enjoyed the benefits of raising backyard chickens since 2019. An avid gardener, she believes no yard is complete without a flock of free-range chickens roaming around. Dominique has raised happy, healthy flocks from chicks to adulthood, giving them everything they need to thrive. In return, she enjoys the most delicious eggs and natural, rich fertilizer to improve the productivity of the garden. Keeping backyard chickens has been a never-ending learning adventure.

Mary Dudley has been keeping chickens since 2021. A reluctant chicken owner but passionate composter, Mary's fondness for laying hens grew over the years until one fateful day, she was offered the opportunity to adopt a flock. She has been enjoying fresh eggs ever since. There have been challenges with keeping predators at bay and maintaining a happy flock—topics for discussion as she continues to learn and grow.

Cost: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Our friends at Forest Park have decided to postpone this event until the fall. We don’t have a new date yet, but we’ll add it to our calendar and let registered volunteers know when we do!

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The community of Forest Park needs our help! Join the CGC, Wild Ones and the City of Forest Park to create a 7,000-sq-ft native plant meadow along the bike trail in Central Park. You’ll learn the entire process of “rewilding,” from removing the former lawn to preparing the ground to planting thousands of native wildflower seeds. Help set a new trend in urban landscaping and find inspiration for your own native plant projects!

No experience is required to attend our workdays. Please bring gloves (if you have them) and a reusable water bottle and dress for the weather.

Questions? Reach out to volunteer@civicgardencenter.org.

Native plants are the cornerstone of healthy ecosystems. They provide essential habitat, improve soil structure and are well adapted to our climate. 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. We'll start by introducing specific plants, then take a walk around the Civic Garden Center's grounds to see some natives in the landscape. We hope you leave inspired to learn more about the beauty of native plants and how to incorporate them into your own designs.

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley, CGC Director of Education
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Did you know that the Civic Garden Center is host to seven different types of composting systems? Take a walk with us as we learn about the different methods of composting we have and how you can incorporate composting into your life! On this tour, you’ll see Earth Cubes, vermicompost, bokashi, Johnson-Su bioreactors, a three-bin system, a tumbler and a top-loading composter.

This tour is held entirely outdoors and may be cancelled in the case of extreme weather.

Cost: Free! No registration required.

Questions? Reach out to Mary Dudley: mdudley@civicgardencenter.org.

Do you find yourself wandering the aisles of your local plant nursery with no idea what you’re looking for? Have you ever brought home a beautiful new plant only to have it die as soon as you put it in the ground? Are you concerned about invasive species, cultivars and flashy marketing jargon? Then this class is for you!

We’ll go behind the scenes of the nursery industry to help you understand what to look for when you’re shopping for your garden. You’ll learn how to choose the right plants, warning signs to watch out for and what questions you should be asking the staff before you make your purchase.

This class is great for anyone with a garden, from beginners to long-time experts. You’ll leave armed with the knowledge to become a super shopper this spring, as well as a list of trusted local nurseries.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz, CGC Horticulturist
COST: $20 / $10 for active CGC volunteers

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.

If you’re lucky enough to live on a tree-lined street or have a backyard sheltered by the forest canopy, finding native plants for 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.

That’s where this class comes in! Join us to learn about the plants that are native to our region and have evolved to thrive in shady conditions. These plants provide benefits to local wildlife and create beauty in your garden all year. Class will include a guided tour of the Hauck Botanic Garden to see some of these amazing plants growing in the landscape.

INSTRUCTOR: Julie Dennewitz, CGC Horticulturist
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Gardening with herbs is a satisfying way to freshen up your favorite recipes, cultivate natural medicines and foster ecologically sound gardening methods. Many herbs grow well in our Ohio gardens and will come back year after year!

This class will cover the basics of growing and using herbs for tea, culinary creations, medicinal salves and natural cleaning products. We'll taste some common herbs and discuss recipes to try at home.

Families with children ages 8 and up are welcome to join this class and learn about the wide world of herbs!

INSTRUCTOR: Mary Dudley, CGC Director of Education
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

Forest Bathing is a mindful practice of bathing in the atmosphere of the forest to enhance wellness, health and happiness. In this beginner-friendly experience, we'll explore a brief history of forest bathing, several guided sensory invitations practiced in silence and optional sharing before closing with tea and cookies from foraged foods.

This practice is one of slowing down and connecting with nature using your senses. You may notice your senses heighten and your mind quiet as you walk slowly through the land. Research shows that forest bathing can have many benefits that include boosting the immune system, increasing mental clarity, stabilizing moods, lowering depression, reducing stress, increasing NK cells and creating a sense of relaxation.

We will be standing, walking, wandering and sitting on the ground. Sit-upons will be provided; feel free to bring your own as long as it can easily be carried for the entire program. Please dress in layers. We will be moving very slowly.

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Ellen’s deep connection to the land inspires her to create opportunities for people to experience stress relief in nature. She is a certified Forest Therapy Guide with The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Ellen has been a volunteer guide of forest bathing groups for local nonprofits since 2018. And she is excited about introducing the practice of forest bathing to groups at the Civic Garden Center. Ellen has a B.A. in psychology and a master’s in landscape architecture.

COST: $20

This event is sold out, but you can join the waitlist!

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.

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.

Growing the same crops again this year? Alongside the carrots, kale or beloved tomato varieties that you're used too, why not try something new—like ginger or turmeric? Both of these plants can be great additions to your garden, kitchen and medicine cabinet.

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. We'll also explore a brief overview of the historic cultivation of ginger and turmeric and harvesting techniques.

INSTRUCTOR: Kymisha Montgomery, CGC Urban Agriculture Coordinator
COST: $20 / $15 for active CGC volunteers

The very first Arbor Day was celebrated way back in 1872. It’s estimated that over a million trees were planted during that first celebration! Today, people all over the world gather to acknowledge the benefits that trees provide to us and to give back to the planet.

This year, we’re celebrating Arbor Day at the CGC 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.

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.

The CGC is closed in observance of Memorial Day. We’ll see you on Tuesday!

The CGC is closed in observance of Juneteenth. We’ll see you on Friday!

The CGC is closed in observance of the Fourth of July. We’ll see you next week!

The CGC is closed in observance of Labor Day. We’ll see you next week!