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Classes are categorized by theme and full descriptions of each class can be found below. Click on the theme to explore the available options. Classes are appropriate for adults 18+. Members receive 10 percent off registration.
All in-person classes include admission to The Gardens, including the Butterfly House.
Online registration is open until 24 hours before the class. Within 24 hours, please call our Guest Services team to register 970.416.2486.
Photography: Capturing the Colors of Fall
Whether you travel remote mountain backroads to photograph aspen or make a quick trip to your local open space to see the cottonwood trees, dramatic colors are ever present. Join local professional photographer Bob Dean to learn how to capture the magnificence of fall foliage. Whether you are a beginner, just learning to use a digital camera or a photographer who has been shooting for years, this course will be very beneficial.
Participants will cover the technical aspects of making fall color images and look at the artistic part of photography using light creatively, composing images for stunning impact and how a few minutes at the computer can bring out stunning results.
Note to Students: Bring a notebook, your camera and camera manual and your desire to learn.
Instructor: Bob Dean, Professional Nature and Travel Photographer with View of Nature Photography
Saturday, September 24 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | $20
DIY Macramé Plant Hangers
Yes, macramé is back, and it's better than ever! This beginning-level macramé class will teach participants the basic macramé knots and techniques to create their own beautiful and trendy plant hanger. All materials will be provided including a pot and plant to take home.
Instructor: Melissa Venable, Local Crafter
Saturday, November 19 | 1 - 3:30 p.m. | $45
Holiday Wreath Making
Join in the fun of creating your own natural holiday wreath from scratch on a 14-inch frame. You will attach evergreens and embellish with a wide variety of natural materials and a bow if you wish.
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.
Instructor: Nancy Frank, Gardens Volunteer and Local Crafter
Saturday, December 3 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | $35
Unfortunately, our public classes are sold out, but private wreath making classes are available on a limited basis for groups of 10 - 15. Contact gardenseducation@fcgov.com to schedule a private class.
Garden to Fork Cooking Classes
Evening is the perfect time to enjoy The Gardens. Cook with the professional chefs from The Cooking Studio Fort Collins, sip wine and share a feast in the twilight. Garden to Fork classes are hands-on and everyone works together to complete the recipes. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and all materials will be provided.
Note to students: Classes are subject to cancellation if there is inclement weather. If that should occur full refunds will be offered.
Cost: Adult (21+ only) $75
Sip on wine and garden infused water as we explore the beautiful colors, textures and flavors of the brassica family. Broccoli and cabbage are the stars in this delicious menu of Lebanese cabbage salad, za’atar-cumin turkey burgers with tahini sauce, grilled broccoli-red onion-feta flatbread followed by a cold, sweet treat. This class is hands-on. All participants will help create the meal and savor the flavors under the setting sun. (Menu can be vegetarian and gluten free.)
September 27 | 5:30 – 8 p.m. | $75 | Two spots left!
Northern Colorado Bonsai Show
Bonsai is an ancient Japanese living art created by training trees using horticultural techniques and Asian aesthetics in unique and beautiful ways. View and enjoy a collection of inspiring trees during your visit to The Gardens. Bonsai professionals will be on site to talk about their art and answer questions.
Saturday, October 1 | 10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Free with Admission
Plein Air in The Gardens
See the beauty of The Gardens through the eyes of an artist as they paint en plain air. Plein, French for outdoors, is the act of painting in the landscape and is a practice going back centuries. It allows the painter to better capture the light of the day, a moment in time, and the color and shadows of that moment in time. We will have painters from the Plein Air Artists Colorado and other local painters spread throughout the gardens.
Sunday, October 9 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Free with Admission
Northern Colorado Begonia Show
Think you know begonias? Think again. Don't miss an awe-inspiring collection of diverse leaves, flowers and sizes. Our local chapter of American Begonia Society will be displaying some of their finest plants and be on site to talk about their art and answer questions. Some plants will be for sale.
Saturday, October 29 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Free with Admission
Drawing on the remarkable beauty of the Gardens on Spring Creek, these workshops offer participants of all ages and experience levels an opportunity to take in the extraordinary beauty around them and turn their observations into powerful and vivid poems. Participants will join Jodie Hollander, Local Poet and International Teacher, to work either outside in nature (weather permitting) or inside in a classroom. These workshops are suitable for all ages and experience levels- please bring a notebook and pen or a laptop computer. No experience necessary.
Using examples from poetic masters, participants in this class will focus on the use of telling detail, repetition and line breaks to explore our most vivid and powerful dreams and turn them into effective poems.
Saturday, October 15 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $40
The Art and Science of Backyard Espalier Fruit Growing
Curious about espalier fruit trees? In this class we will get prepared, so you can make plans to include formal or informal espalier trees in your landscape next season. You will learn techniques that bring out the beauty of nature and enhance your garden design, common mistakes to avoid and growth patterns that inform espalier practices from roots to fruits. This class will show how espalier need not be just an imposition of the Gardener’s will upon Nature but a real partnership with natural growth patterns for health, beauty and sustainability.
Instructor: Mason Vollmer, Horticultural Educator, thesocialgardener.net
Saturday, November 12 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $18 In Person | $10 Virtual
Watercolor Journaling Series
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:
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.
Rain Gardens
Learn how to create your own rain garden oasis! Rain gardens are beautiful gardens, full of native plants, that are watered only with the rain. During this workshop with Jessica Thrasher, we'll cover design, sizing and plant choice to conserve water and save money on your water bill!
Saturday, November 19 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $10 In Person | $5 Virtual
Note: Price reduced by Fort Collins Utilities to promote water conservation
Yoga and Tai Chi in The Gardens
Embrace the natural setting of our botanical gardens with weekly tai chi and yoga classes.
Forest Bathing
You are invited to experience the healing and wellness promoting effects of Shinrin-Yoku, the practice of bathing the senses in the atmosphere of the forest. This quiet, slow paced, contemplative walk integrates gratitude, individual reflection and creative group process. The Guide opens the door, the Forest is the therapist.
Note to Students: We will walk through the Garden during this class please wear appropriate shoes and / or clothing. Paths are ADA accessible. Wavier must be signed by all participants.
Instructor: Maria Fenty. A.A.S, C.M.T., Certified Forest Therapy Guide with Nature and BodyWork Therapies
Saturday, October 1 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $18
Embracing Change: Fall Workshop
Fall is a time to embrace the beauty of change. Surrounded by the beautiful gardens, this experience is designed to allow the body, breath and spirit to release and embrace change and find perspective through yoga, breathwork and meditation. Get ready to invite in the peace of change, evoking deeper healing while allowing perspective to come to light!
Note to Students: All students will receive a goodie bag with locally made self-care items. Please bring your own yoga mat, water and blanket. All other props are optional
Instructors: Celine Burgett and Amanda Shannon
Saturday, October 15 | 9:30 a.m. - Noon | $50
Balancing your Flow: Optimizing Digestion with Movement and Nutrition
During this interactive class, participants will connect with their body through breath, movement and food to improve their digestion and overall gut health. We will cover breathing exercises to aid with digestion before meals, movements to aid with digestion after meals and provide a demonstration on how to prepare homemade sauerkraut.
Instructors: Matthew Huerta, Personal Trainer & Health Coach and Madeline Kent, Certified Nutrition Therapy Practitioner
Saturday, October 15 | 1:30 - 3 p.m. | $18
