Adult Classes

Close-up photography is a terrific way to document small objects like flowers, plant details and butterfly wings. We will explore the technical and artistic skills needed to get great shots. We’ll spend some time in class then venture into the Gardens to practice.

Note to students: We will go into the Gardens (weather permitting) and try some of the techniques discussed during class. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and shoes for being outside and bring their cameras and user manuals with them.

Saturday, September 11  |  10:30 - 11:30 a.m.  |  $25

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Come explore the beautiful and ancient art of Bonsai with professional Brian Scott Adams and how the United States has adapted the art form.  Participants in this class will go over the best species to use, indoor vs. outdoor trees, the techniques to train your tree and specifics about soil and care. Beautiful examples of trees will be available for viewing.

Saturday, October 9 | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | $18 In-Person  |  $10 Online

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Build your very own garden centerpiece for the holiday season. Using pumpkins from the garden, we will adorn it with succulents, dried leaves, seed pods and silk items, creating a focal point that will elevate your table. 

Note to Students: All supplies will be provided; however, you are welcome to bring items to add to your creation. Examples, instructions, assistance and materials will be provided.

Saturday, October 30  | 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  |  $30

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Looking for an alternative to highly processed, over-the-counter lip balms? Join Connie Meyer of Urban Overalls as she steps you through the process of how to make several lips balms, using natural ingredients. Not only are they easy to make, but they also make great gifts. Each student will receive one lip balm made during class.

Saturday, November 6  |  1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  |  $25

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In the world of natural beauty products, skip the store and learn how to make lotion bars home. Instructor Connie Meyer of Urban Overalls will teach you the ratios and have you creating your own unique bars in no time, using natural ingredients. And with the holidays coming up, lotion bars make great presents!  Each student will receive recipes and a lotion bar made during class.

Saturday, November 20  |  10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  |  $25

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Join in the fun of creating your own natural holiday wreath from scratch on a 14-inch frame.  You will attach evergreens and embellishing with a wide variety of natural materials and a bow if you wish. 

Note to Students: All supplies will be provided.  However, you are welcome to bring items to add to your creation.  Examples, instructions, assistance and materials will be provided.

Saturday, December 4  |  10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.  |  $35

Private wreath making classes are available on a limited basis for groups of 10-15. Contact akrueger@fcgov.com to schedule a private class.

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Tired of flabby, nitrate-filled bacon from mega-chain grocery stores?  Well bacon lovers, this workshop from Connie Meyer with Urban Overalls is for you.  You will learn the steps to transform ordinary pork belly into flavorful bacon. Students will get to sample home cured bacon in class.

Saturday, September 25  |  10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  |  $25

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Homemade cheese is in a league of its own. The texture and flavors are sublime. But even better, they are easy to make at home. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a set of recipes and Connie Meyer with Urban Overalls to show you the steps. Students will get to sample cheeses made in class.

Saturday, October 30  | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  |  $25

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Brewing your own deliciously fermented Kombucha is easy!  In this class, Rachael Walker, owner of local kombucha company, Life's a Buch, will go through the step-by -step process to safely brew your very own kombucha including ingredients, keeping your SCOBY happy and healthy and adding unique and delicious flavors. 

Saturday, November 6  | 10:30 a.m. – Noon | $18 In-person  |  $10 Virtual

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Bonsai is an ancient Japanese living art created by training trees using horticultural techniques and Asian aesthetics in unique and beautiful ways. Come view a collection of inspiring trees during your visit to The Gardens. Bonsai professionals will be on sight to talk about their art and answer questions.

Saturday, October 2  | 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  |  Included with Gardens Admission

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Come explore the beautiful and ancient art of Bonsai with professional Brian Scott Adams and how the United States has adapted the art form.  Participants in this class will go over the best species to use, indoor vs. outdoor trees, the techniques to train your tree and specifics about soil and care. Beautiful examples of trees will be available for viewing.

Saturday, October 9  |  10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  |  $18 In-Person  |  $10 Online

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Not everything you have heard is true!  Based on university research, this class exposes myths that will help you grow more productive plants and save dollars and labor (time) by avoiding purchasing products and / or ingredients that are ineffective for growing plants. Learn numerous best practices for gardening from Roger Heins, Horticulture Industry Consultant

Saturday, November 13  |  10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.  |  $18 In-Person  |  $10 Virtual

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Sip on wine and elderberry lemonade as we bring the sweet and rich brassicas of The Gardens to life.  Savor the rich flavors of sautéed broccoli with miso butter and veggie ramen with bok choy, a seven-minute egg and quick pickled turnips followed by a warm seasonal fruit compote over a cold sweet treat. This class is hands-on, all participants will help create the meal and savor the flavors under the setting sun.

Tuesday, August 3  |  5:30 – 8:00 p.m.  |  $70

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Sip on wine and elderberry lemonade as we bring the bright sweet flavor of berries to life.  Sample new and unusual berries while we work together to prepare sweet tea brined pork chop with berry BBQ sauce and blueberry coleslaw followed by a warm seasonal fruit compote over a cold sweet treat. This class is hands-on, all participants will help create the meal and savor the flavors under the setting sun.

Tuesday, August 17  |  5:30 – 8:00 p.m.  |  $70

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Sip on wine and elderberry lemonade as we highlight the diverse and unusual chilies of The Gardens. Awaken you senses as we sample exotic spicy and sweet chilies, create your own hot sauce to take home and cook a Romesco sauce with grilled vegetables and herb basted chicken followed by a warm seasonal fruit compote over a cold sweet treat. This class is hands-on, all participants will help create the meal and savor the flavors under the setting sun.

Tuesday, August 31  |  5:30 – 8:00 p.m.  |  $70

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Sip on wine and elderberry lemonade as we explore the dramatic nightshade family and learn how to incorporate their flavors into our dishes for the evening; eggplant curry with homemade red curry paste, cucumber-tomato-mint raita with grilled naan followed by a warm seasonal fruit compote over a cold sweet treat. This class is hands-on, all participants will help create the meal and savor the flavors under the setting sun.

Tuesday, September 14  |  5:30 – 8:00 p.m.  |  $70

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Sip on wine and elderberry lemonade as we honor the symbiotic gardening relationship between the three sisters: bean, corn and squash. We will learn how to bring their flavors together in a three sisters gazpacho with herb grilled shrimp skewers and Masa biscuits. Participants will also get Masa dough to take home and bake later. Dinner will be followed by a warm seasonal fruit compote over a cold sweet treat. This class is hands-on, all participants will help create the meal and savor the flavors under the setting sun.

Tuesday, September 28  |  5:30 – 8:00 p.m.  |  $70

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The end of summer is near!  We will test for mites, verify stores and discuss feeding options.  Did your bees produce excess honey?  We will discuss how to harvest and extract as well as preparing your hives for the winter.

Note to students:  For outside classes, please wear masks, appropriate shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Paths are ADA accessible. 

Saturday, August 21  |  10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  |  $18

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Tired of flabby, nitrate-filled bacon from mega-chain grocery stores?  Well bacon lovers, this workshop from Connie Meyer with Urban Overalls is for you.  You will learn the steps to transform ordinary pork belly into flavorful bacon. Students will get to sample home cured bacon in class.

Saturday, September 25  |  10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.  |  $25

Register Now

Homemade cheese is in a league of its own. The texture and flavors are sublime. But even better, they are easy to make at home. All you need are a few simple ingredients, a set of recipes and Connie Meyer with Urban Overalls to show you the steps. Students will get to sample cheeses made in class.

Saturday, October 30  | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  |  $25

Register Now

Brewing your own deliciously fermented Kombucha is easy!  In this class, Rachael Walker, owner of local kombucha company, Life's a Buch, will go through the step-by -step process to safely brew your very own kombucha including ingredients, keeping your SCOBY happy and healthy and adding unique and delicious flavors. 

Saturday, November 6  | 10:30 a.m. – Noon | $18 In-person  |  $10 Virtual

Register Now

Looking for an alternative to highly processed, over-the-counter lip balms? Join Connie Meyer of Urban Overalls as she steps you through the process of how to make several lips balms, using natural ingredients. Not only are they easy to make, but they also make great gifts. Each student will receive one lip balm made during class.

Saturday, November 6  |  1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  |  $25

Register Now

In the world of natural beauty products, skip the store and learn how to make lotion bars home. Instructor Connie Meyer of Urban Overalls will teach you the ratios and have you creating your own unique bars in no time, using natural ingredients. And with the holidays coming up, lotion bars make great presents!  Each student will receive recipes and a lotion bar made during class.

Saturday, November 20  |  10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  |  $25

Register Now

Join Karen Ramsay, Watercolor Artist and Instructor as she leads students in filling their watercolor sketchbooks during the different seasons at The Gardens.  Students need to be familiar with watercolor as this is not a beginning class.

This series is perfect for the:

• Journal-keepers who want to add illustrations to their writing
• Artists who want to fill their sketchbooks
• Gardeners and naturalists who want to learn about the world around them
• Travelers who want to record their journeys

Through instruction, demonstrations and free exploration time, students will be able to capture the beauty The Gardens offers. 

Note to students:  For courses in this series, students will need to purchase their own materials.  A material list will be provided upon registration.  Classes will be outdoors, as weather allows and with limited capacity to allow for social distancing.  For outside classes, please wear masks, appropriate shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Paths are ADA accessible.

Embrace the natural setting of our botanical gardens with weekly tai chi and yoga classes.

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Recharge your body and mind while immersed in the beautiful natural setting at The Gardens! 

Brought to you by Huerta Wellness, Garden Wellness is a unique class combining functional exercise, mobility, and breath practice. Participants will build strength, increase joint function, master fundamental movement patterns, as well as learn how to utilize their breath to improve performance, cultivate energy, and calm the body. 

Garden Wellness classes are suitable for all ages, provided you can tolerate light to moderate exercise in the morning sun. 

Note for Participants: Classes are taught outside and shade is available but limited. Please check the weather and plan accordingly for your comfort and safety during the practice.

Participants are asked to please provide their own mats, sweat towel, water bottles and  sunscreen.  Participants will have room for appropriate social distancing in our outdoor garden setting. Classes are subject to cancellation if there is inclement weather.

Thursdays | 8:00 - 9:15 a.m. | $15

• July:  July 1  |  July 8  |  July 15  |  July 22  |  July 29
• August:  August 5  |  August 12  |  August 19   |  August 26
• September:  September 2  |  September 9  |  September 16  |  September 23

Get moving in The Gardens with this special Garden BodyFLOW class lead by Rain Tree Athletic Club instructors.  BodyFLOW is a yoga-based class that will improve your flexibility and increase core strength while you reduce stress levels. Class takes place before hours; registration required.

Sunday, July 18  |  9:00 – 10:00 a.m.  |  $15

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Get your heart pumping in The Gardens with this special Garden Bootcamp class lead by Rain Tree Athletic Club instructors. Bootcamp is a high intensity class that focuses on building strength and aerobic endurance through intervals and a whole-body focus. Class takes place after hours; registration required.

Thursday, August 26  |  5:30 – 6:30 p.m.  |  $15

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