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.
Post-Installation Hive Check-up
Now that your bees are in their hive, we will be looking to see how well they are doing. We will conduct a full hive inspection of the bee hives in the Gardens and will find the queen and verify growth. We’ll discuss forage—and look for both pollen and nectar stores. Time to talk about mite management, too!
Note to Students: Bring your gear
Saturday, June 3 | 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. | $18 In Person
Beginning the Wind Down—Fall and Winter Management
Hard to believe 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: Bring your gear
Saturday, August 19 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $18 In Person
Mastering Flower Photography - Wild and Domestic
Join local professional photographer Bob Dean for this two-hour class to learn how to make strong images of wild or cultivated flowers using a camera or smartphone. The class will cover both the technical and the artistic aspects of image making.
Saturday, June 3 | 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. | $25 In Person
Writing in The Gardens
Join Erica Reid, Colorado poet, editor, educator and critic, for an inspiring and creative morning in The Gardens. This class is specially crafted for writers of all genres and all levels of experience and will include four parts: reading for inspiration, roaming The Gardens, dedicated time for individual writing and reflection and a no-pressure opportunity to share your writing progress. Participants will leave with a deeper connection to themselves, The Gardens and their own inner writer.
Note to students: Students will bring their own laptops or journals and will arrive prepared to explore outside in any / all weather conditions.
Saturday, July 1 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $45 In Person
Botanical Dyeing: Fresh Indigo and Silk Scarves
Did you ever want to try your hand at dyeing cloths with natural elements? Join TeDi Jansen with Small Acre Farm to learn proper scouring (washing) and dyeing techniques with fresh indigo. Participants will blend the indigo and dye silk scarves with a hand application method.
Saturday, July 15 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $50 In Person
Introduction to Watercolor
This one-day workshop will start your watercolor journey. Join Karen Ramsay, watercolor artist and instructor to learn the fundamentals of the watercolor medium and the exciting way of applying paint in a fresh and vibrant way. The day will be spent setting up students' palette of paints, learning and painting varied techniques and applying them in a simple painting. This information will be the jumpstart you need to become a watercolor artist indoors and out in nature!
Saturday, August 19 | 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. | $85 In Person
The Three Sisters: A Perfect Pairing
Sip on wine and garden infused water as we introduce you to our three sisters; corn, squash and beans. This magical trio will shine as we prepare Masala Dosas with Potatoes and Squash and Indian Street Corn Salad 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 is vegan and gluten free.
August 15 and 16 | 5:30 – 8 p.m. | $75
Berries and Stone Fruit: Bursting with Flavor
Sip on wine and garden infused water as we savor the sweet berry and stone fruit harvest. These treasures of summer will be the star of the show as we create Bread Dumplings with Grilled Peach and Caraway Preserves, Cider Brined Pork Loin with Rhubarb Mustard and an Apple and Cabbage Coleslaw with Berry Aioli 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 made gluten free and vegetarian upon request.
August 22 and 23 | 5:30 - 8 p.m. | $75
Chilies: Sweet and Spicy
Sip on wine and garden infused water as we meet new sweet and spicy chilies from Asia and learn how to incorporate their flavors into our dinner for the evening. We will cook Vietnamese Pork Bun Cha, Carrot Tom Kha with Jasmine Rice, Jimmy Nardellos and Sugar Snap Peas 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 is gluten free and can be made vegetarian / vegan upon request.
August 29 and 30 | 5:30 - 8 p.m. | $75
Tomatoes: Sweet and Savory
Sip on wine and garden infused water as we celebrate summer’s sweet bounty - tomatoes. We will explore different shapes, colors and flavors of tomatoes as we cook Harcha (Moroccan Semolina Flatbread) with Heirloom Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella and Red Onion-Balsamic Jam, Grilled Tomato, Farro and Chevre Salad and Chicken Provencal 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 made vegetarian / vegan upon request.
September 5 and 6 | 5:30 – 8 p.m. | $75
Rich and Robust Roots
Sip on wine and garden infused water as we discover the sweet flavors hidden beneath the soil. We will explore the unique personalities of root vegetables as we cook German Potato and Turnip Salad with Bacon, Marinated Beets with Horseradish and Dill Crème Fraiche and Grilled Carrots and Parsnips with Honey, Gorgonzola, Walnuts and Wheatberries 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 made gluten free, vegetarian or vegan upon request.
September 12 and 13 | 5:30 – 8 p.m. | $75
Brassicas: Brilliant and Bright
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 Charred Kohlrabi Cream Sauce with Grilled Trumpet Mushrooms, Camille Becerra’s Napa Cabbage Salad with Pecans and Coconut and Kale and Feta Frittata with Chili Oil 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 is vegetarian and gluten free.
September 19 and 20 | 5:30 – 8 p.m. | $75
Notable Tree Bike Tour
Notable, historic and interesting trees are growing right under our noses in Fort Collins. Hop on your bike and join urban forester Tim Buchanan on a morning ride to visit each tree and stop to learn all about their identification, culture and natural history.
Saturday, June 3 | 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $18 In Person
Note to students: Students will need to provide their own bicycles, helmets and plan on riding approximately miles on flat surfaces while obeying all traffic signals. The tour will begin and end at the Gardens on Spring Creek.
Trees of the Gardens Walking Tour
Rare, beautiful and interesting trees are growing at The Gardens. Join urban forester Tim Buchanan on a morning walk through The Gardens to visit each tree and learn about their identification, culture and natural history.
Saturday, June 10 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $18 In Person
Note to students: This is an outside class. Please wear appropriate shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Paths are ADA accessible.
Growing Daylilies
Join Dr. Jonathan Poulton, plant biochemist, to explore the colorful world of daylilies. Participants will learn and tour in this comprehensive class, covering the process for successful daylily cultivation, potential pests and diseases, an introduction to daylily diversity and how to cross-breed daylilies to obtain new varieties. This class will include a tour of the American Daylily Society's display garden at the Gardens on Spring Creek.
Saturday, July 8 | 10 - 11:30 a.m. | $18 In Person
Wildflower Walks
Meet at our local natural areas for a guided walk / hike lead by local botanists and Gardens on Spring Creek horticulturists on this evening walk through your local natural area. We will learn how to identify several local wildflowers and discover great ways to find and incorporate these plants into your home gardens.
Note to Participants: This class requires participants to be outside, on their feet for 2.5 hours, walking on uneven ground for 2 to 2.5 miles with some elevation gain. More information on what to where and what to bring will be sent to participants once you register.
Thursday, August 24 | 6 - 8 p.m. | McMurry Natural Area | $25 In Person
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. For outside classes, please wear appropriate shoes, hats and sunscreen and bring a water bottle. Paths are ADA accessible.
If the class is sold out, please call 970.416.2486 or email gardenseducation@fcgov.com to be put on a waitlist.
Cacti
The Gardens has the largest collection of cold-hardy cacti in the region. During this class, students will focus on capturing the beauty and textures of the Cactus Garden.
Saturday, June 10 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $65 In Person
Mid-Summer Gardens
During this class, students will focus on capturing the beauty and textures of The Gardens in the bloom of summer.
Saturday, July 15 | 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $65 In Person
Yoga and Tai Chi in The Gardens
Embrace the natural setting of our botanical gardens with weekly tai chi and yoga classes.
Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing is based on the Japanese practice of “Shinrin Yoku.” It is a multi-sensorial, nature mindfulness experience that uses grounding exercises to connect with nature leaving participants refreshed and relaxed. During this experience, students will be guided mindfully around The Gardens and invited to unplug, engage the senses, talk less and listen more. Maria Fenty. A.A.S, C.M.T., Certified Forest Therapy Guide with Nature and BodyWork Therapies will take participants on a quiet, contemplative walk that integrates gratitude, reflection and creativity.
Note to students: Participants will walk through The Gardens, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Paths are ADA accessible. Wavier must be signed by all participants.
Saturday, May 13 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $25 In Person
Saturday, July 8 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $25 In Person
Saturday, August 12 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $25 In Person
Saturday, September 30 | 1 - 3 p.m. | $25 In Person
Soul Healing with the Seasons Workshops
In this series, we will dive into the highest potential for healing and growth as it pertains to each season. Utilizing yoga, conscious breathwork and meditation, each participant will be invited to dive deep and uncover what the season has in store for healing, opening up and thriving in one’s true nature.
An Introduction to Mindfulness
Curious about mindfulness? Join Nancy Behney, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction trained instructor for an experiential class focusing on mindfulness as a practice through discussions, activities and teachings. Participants will learn about the meaning of mindfulness - as defined by the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction curriculum - definitions of different mindfulness practices, benefits of mindfulness practices, how to strengthen your ability to cope with short and long-term stress and how mindfulness can reconnect you to your strengths and joys. Students will leave with a deeper knowledge of the positive role mindfulness can play in your daily life and resources for your mindfulness journey.
Saturday, July 8 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | $18 In Person
DoJo in The Gardens
The symmetry, muscle tone and functionality that animals exhibit doesn't come from lifting weights or going to a gym. The way they move and use their bodies in nature is enough to develop this strength. Join Annie McLaughlin, fourth degree black belt of The Dojo LLC, for a morning of DoJo in The Gardens and focus strongly on animal movements in this martial style of fitness, such as ape, frog, tiger and more. The Dojo Fitness is much more than just a workout. It's about living a lifestyle that brings us into balance and gets us in touch with nature, that makes us stronger, and transfers positivity into every aspect of our lives.
Saturday, July 29 | 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. | $15 In Person
Saturday, August 12 | 8:30 - 9:15 a.m. | $15 In Peson