Classes are categorized by theme, and full descriptions of each class can be found below. Click on the theme to explore the available options. A calendar view of classes can be found here.
Adult classes are designed for learners +18, For questions or to request exceptions please email gardenseducation@fcgov.com. Members receive 10% 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.
Let's learn and grow!
Private Wreath Making Class (SOLD OUT)
Thursday, Dec. 4 | 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. | $600
Book your own private wreath making class for up to 12 adults! Join in the fun of creating your own natural holiday wreath from scratch on a 14 inch frame. In this class designed for adults, you will attach evergreens and embellishing with a wide variety of natural materials and a bow if you wish. All supplies will be furnished; however, you are welcome to bring items to add to your creation. Examples, instructions, assistance and materials will be provided.
Holiday Wreath Making* | $50 (SOLD OUT)
*This class is for adults; please see our family class option for an all-ages option
Saturday, Dec. 6: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. or noon – 2 p.m.
Join in the fun of creating your own natural holiday wreath from scratch on a 14 inch frame. In this class designed for adults, you will attach evergreens and embellishing with a wide variety of natural materials and a bow if you wish. All supplies will be furnished; however, you are welcome to bring items to add to your creation. Examples, instructions, assistance and materials will be provided.
Notes to Participants: Private Wreath Making classes are available for groups of 10-15. To Schedule, email GardensEducation@fcgov.com. Materials will be provided.
Family Holiday Wreath Making | $80 per group (up to four in a group) (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, Dec. 7 | 9 – 11 a.m. or noon – 2 p.m.
Bring the family to join in the fun of creating your own natural holiday wreath from scratch on a 14 inch frame. In this class you will attach evergreens and embellishing with a wide variety of natural materials and a bow if you wish. All supplies will be furnished; however, you are welcome to bring items to add to your creation. Examples, instructions, assistance and materials will be provided. Each group will receive one wreath.
Note to Participants: Private Wreath Making classes are available for groups of 10-15. To Schedule, email GardensEducation@fcgov.com. Materials will be provided.
Garden Peace Poles
Instructor: Denise Itule
Saturday, Jan. 10 | 1–2 p.m. |
Add a vibrant and inspiring touch to your garden! Join artist Denise Itule for a hands-on workshop where you'll paint a stunning 4x4 foot wooden garden peace pole. All materials are provided, and you’ll have the option to purchase a solar light cap to illuminate your creation. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your outdoor space with beauty and peace!
Natural Dye with Local Plants
Instructor: Andrea Work
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 1–3 p.m.| $45
In this workshop, we will discuss how to use locally available plant materials to dye fabric, and we'll create a naturally dyed tea towel or piece of fabric (provided by the instructor).
There will be a few colors and techniques available. Bring a container to take home your wet fabric in at the end of the workshop. All other materials will be provided.
Note: Fabrics need to be pre–treated, so we won't be able to use any of your own fabrics this time.
Mending Workshop
Instructor: Gigi Schaller
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1–3 p.m.| $30
Breathe new life into your worn–out favorites. This hands–on workshop teaches practical sewing and repair techniques to help you mend jeans, sweaters, socks, and more. Learn how to repair and extend the life of your clothes while challenging fast fashion culture. Learn basic and essential sewing skills to transform work out or damaged garments giving them new life.
Notes to Participants: Please bring an item of clothing to try to mend.
Valentine's Succulent Arrangements
Instructor: Gigi Schaller
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 1–2:30 p.m. | $70 (for two people)
Celebrate love and friendship at The Gardens on Spring Creek with a Succulent arrangement workshop. Whether you’re marking Valentine’s Day or enjoying a Galentine’s date, create two beautiful succulent arrangements with a loved one. Then, you can finish your date with a trip to the butterfly house!
Notes to Participants: One ticket is good for 2 people.
Mixed Media Abstract Florals
Instructor: Paula Watson–Lakamp
Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1–4 p.m.| $55
Dive into the expressive world of floral art in this mixed–media class, designed to help you move beyond realistic representation and capture the emotion and energy of flowers. Through a series of dynamic exercises and demonstrations, you'll learn to use various materials like acrylics, inks, and collage elements to create bold, textured, and deeply personal pieces. This course is for artists of all levels who want to liberate their creative spirit, focusing on process over perfection and embracing unconventional techniques.
Bright Spots: Garden Journaling with a Creative Touch
Instructor: Erica Reid
Saturday, Feb. 28 | 1–3 p.m.| $35
Give your gardening experience a personal, creative dimension. This hands–on workshop combines writing, art, and design to help you create a vibrant and inspiring garden journal. With guidance from experienced instructors, you'll explore techniques like collage, poetry, sketching, and note–taking. All materials are provided, including your own garden journal to start filling with reflections, ideas, and seasonal observations.
Macrame Plant Hanger
Instructor: Melissa Venable
Saturday, March 14 | 1–3 p.m.| $55
Create a trendy macrame hanger at The Gardens on Spring Creek. Class attendees go home with a pretty plant hanger that that they've made themselves and that looks great in any decor plus a basic understanding of macrame knots. This is a beginner level class with no previous macrame experience needed. Materials will be provided.
Tree Pruning
Instructor: Ben Zomer
Saturday, Nov. 22 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | $23
Join the experts from SavATree to learn tree pruning basics that you can put to work in your own yard. This class will cover proper pruning techniques, the best tools, how trees grow, basic tree biology and how decay in trees occurs.
Bioactive Terrarium Workshop
Saturday, Nov. 22 | noon – 1:30 p.m. | $50
Dive into the world of miniature ecosystems! This introductory workshop guides beginners step-by-step through creating a unique bioactive terrarium. Attendees will learn to build terrarium with live plants and beneficial microorganisms, creating a tabletop ecosystem.
Note to Participants: Materials will be provided
Vegetable Gardening In the Winter: Indoors!
Instructor: Susan Bonsall
Jan. 17 |1–2:30 p.m. | $10
Don’t give up on fresh homegrown vegetables just because it’s cold outside. This class shows you how to create a thriving indoor garden during winter, perfect for growing herbs and veggies like lettuce, kale, tomatoes, radishes, and more. Discover the essentials of indoor growing including light, containers, soil, seed starting, and pest control. Whether you're new to indoor gardening or looking to expand your setup, you’ll leave with the knowledge to keep your green thumb going year–round.
Spindle Apple Trees: Grow Apples in Small Spaces
Instructor: Mason Vollmer
Saturday, Jan. 31 | 10–11:30 a.m. | $45
Discover the surprising power of the Spindle method for growing apples. Learn how to grow up to a dozen small trees–each with different uses and harvest times–in the space one large tree would normally take. This session explores the biology behind the method, tree spacing, and how you can grow heirloom and fresh–eating varieties that bear fruit for months.
Native Seed Propagation
Instructor: Annemarie Fussell
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 10–11:30 a.m. | $23
Learn all about the proper techniques and strategies for germinating seeds and growing your own native plants. Join Wildland Restoration Volunteers, to get hands on experience in growing native plants at home!
Underused Plants for Front Range Gardens
Instructor: Bryan Fischer
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 10–11 a.m. | $10 In-Person | $5 Virtual
The definitive must–have plant list turned into a class! Bryan Fischer, Curator of Plant Collections for The Gardens on Spring Creek, will highlight best–of performers from the Garden's grounds and his personal gardens as well as from other notable regional gardens. Waterwise perennials for sun and shade, woody plants, and wildlife plants will be featured, including tips and tricks for success. Native plants will be emphasized.
Firewise Landscaping for Colorado Gardens: Beauty, Resilience, and Safety at Home
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1:30–3 p.m.| $10 In-Person | $5 Virtual
As wildfire risk increases across the Front Range, our gardens can be part of the solution. Learn how thoughtful plant choices and smart landscape design can create defensible space while supporting native biodiversity. This class covers plant selection, layout, and maintenance strategies that reduce fire risk without sacrificing beauty.
Notes to Participants: Requires projection capability for slides and seating arranged for group discussion.
Intro to Orchids
Instructor: Troy Cobb
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 10–11:30 a.m. | $23
Step into the captivating world of orchids. This class covers the basics of orchid biology, history, and care with a focus on three to four major orchid genera. You'll learn essential tips for home orchid care and watch a live repotting demonstration. Whether you're new to orchids or looking to expand your collection, this class provides the tools to help your plants flourish.
Wildlife Gardening
Instructor: Tessie Walters
Saturday, Feb. 21 | 10–11:30 a.m.| $10 In-Person | $5 Virtual
Discover the secrets to cultivating a thriving, low–maintenance garden that saves time and effort while enhancing biodiversity and beauty. This class offers practical tips and techniques, including smart plant selection, efficient design principles, and sustainable gardening practices. Learn how to minimize watering, weeding, and upkeep without sacrificing the charm and health of your outdoor space. Plus, find out how to create a haven for wildlife by encouraging animals and insects to take up residence in your garden. Perfect for busy gardeners or anyone seeking a simplified, eco–friendly approach to gardening.
Our Indoor Landscape: House Plants ––Selection, Care and Proper Maintenance
Instructor: Susan Bonsall
Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1–2:30 p.m.| $10
Turn your home into a lush indoor oasis. This class dives deep into the world of houseplant care, covering the essentials like lighting, watering, soil, temperature, containers, and pest management. You'll also learn how to care for 14 of the most common and beautiful houseplants. Whether you’re just starting or trying to revive your leafy collection, you’ll gain confidence and insight to help your plants thrive.
Resilient Rose Gardening
Instructor: Derek von Drehle
Saturday, Feb. 28 | 10–11:30 a.m. | $10 In-Person | $5 Virtual
Learn how to grow beautiful, low–maintenance roses that can thrive in the challenging conditions of the Front Range. This class blends natural history with practical gardening advice and highlights high–performing cultivars suited to our region. Explore pest (including Japanese Beetles) and disease management strategies, eco–conscious gardening methods, and the fascinating story of rose breeding and diversity.
What the Turf: Sustainable and Functional Lawns
Instructor: Alison O'Connor
Saturday, Feb. 28 | 1–2:30 p.m. | $10 In-Person | $5 Virtual
Easy On the Back Raised Bed Gardening
Instructor: Connie Meyer
Saturday, March 7 | 10 a.m.–noon | $23
Tired of sore knees and endless weeding? Easy on the Back Raised Bed Gardening brings your garden up to you; less bending, better soil, fewer weeds. With simple materials from repurposed items to commercially produced raised beds, you'll create a productive space that's easier, smarter, and way more enjoyable to work in.
Spindle Apple Trees Part 2: Getting Ready to Graft
Instructor: Mason Vollmer
Saturday, March 7 | 10–11:30 a.m. | $20
Take your apple growing skills to the next level with hands-on grafting practice. You’ll learn the fundamentals of grafting, including tool safety and sharpening, and try out your technique using willow sticks.
Notes to Participants: First 30 minutes of class is for sharpening tools. Bring grafting knife.
Starting and Growing Vegetables from Seed
Instructor: Susan Bonsall
Saturday, March 14 | 1–2:30 p.m. | $10
Unlock the full life cycle of your vegetable garden. In this class, you'll learn how to germinate seeds indoors, grow strong seedlings, transplant them safely, and direct sow seeds outdoors. You'll also explore why growing from seed is cost–effective and rewarding. Gain the skills and confidence to take your garden from packet to plate.
Plant-Based Eating 101
Instructor: Lisa Boesen
Saturday, Jan. 17 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | $30
Plant-based, plant-slant, vegan, and more so many concepts, but goodness, what do they mean? Let's take the fear out of plant-based eating as Lisa walks students through the most popular plant-based theories with some history, tasting time and sharing her plant-based journey that started at age 58!! In addition, students will be provided with self-exploratory tools to take their own fun, two-week test drive of plant-based eating
Handmade Beauty: Lotion Bars Made Easy
Instructor: Connie Meyer
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 10 a.m.–noon | $40
Discover how simple self-care can be with Handmade Beauty: Lotion Bars Made Easy. Using only natural ingredients, Connie will step you through process of crafting lotion bars that melt into your skin, leaving it soft and glowing. No harsh chemicals, no complicated steps—just pure, natural ingredients. Each student will receive 2 lotion bars at the end of the workshop.
Gardening with Backyard Chickens
Instructor: Alison O'Connor
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 1–2:30 p.m.| $23
This class will be perfect for those who are interested in starting a backyard chicken flock (and for those who currently have poultry) - and how to incorporate them into your garden and landscape. While chickens are great at insect control and eating food scraps, they also have healthy appetites for plants, like those in your veggie garden. Join Alison O'Connor from CSU Extension for the basics on raising backyard chickens and a discussion about chicken-friendly plants.
Easy-On-the-Back Raised Bed Gardening
Instructor: Connie Meyer
Saturday, March 7 | 10 a.m.–noon | $23
Tired of sore knees and endless weeding? Easy on the Back Raised Bed Gardening brings your garden up to you; less bending, better soil, fewer weeds. With simple materials from repurposed items to commercially produced raised beds, you'll create a productive space that's easier, smarter, and way more enjoyable to work in.
Watercolor Journaling Series: Holiday Inspiration
Karen Ramsay, Watercolor Artist and Instructor
Saturday, Nov. 15 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | $70 In–person
During this class, students will focus on holiday artwork
Tai Chi in The Gardens
Saturdays | 9 – 10 a.m. | $15 per session or purchase a punch pass
Tai Chi, the traditional Chinese system of mind and body training, is widely practiced around the world by people of all ages for betterment of health and well-being.
This class focuses on Yang style Tai Chi, the most widely practiced style, recognized by its gentle and flowing movements. Tai Chi, when practiced with a supportive community of fellow students among nature, whenever possible, can bring tremendous benefits to one’s overall health and disposition. It is suitable for all ages and all levels of fitness. The instruction will focus on the Tai Chi for Health 8-form
Class instruction is by John Broderick. John has been a practicing the 8 and 24-form with Min Fan since 2020. John began his study and practice of the Long Form of the Yang Style Tai Chi with Mark Posey of Colorado Tai Chi in Grand Junction, Co. in 1995. He continues this practice today.
Class Cancelation: Class will be canceled if there is heavy precipitation or temperatures below 20 degrees.
New: Get a Tai Chi class punch card! Click the register button to learn more.
Exploring the Seasons with Meditation & Breathwork: Winter Solstice Workshop
Instructor: Celine Burgett
Saturday, Jan. 3 | 9:30 – 11 a.m. | $50 per class
In this series, we will dive into the highest potential for healing and growth as it pertains to each season. This Radical Breathwork workshop is designed with themes around the seasons to enlighten, heal, and connect you to who you truly are.
Mindfulness Series: Mindfulness for Life—Reconnect with Your Strengths and Joys
Instructor: Nancy Behney
Orientation Session: Sunday, Jan. 11 | 1–2 p.m. | Free
Sundays | Jan. 18 through March 1 | 1–3:15 p.m. | $300
Clinical studies have shown that mindfulness can decrease anxiety, stress and worry. This 6–week course, which is based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction curriculum supports our natural ability to connect with the present moment. Learn how cultivating the practice of mindfulness can lead to a more joyful and meaningful life.
The course includes instruction on the following mindfulness practices: body scan, sitting meditation, walking meditation, and mindful movement – including yoga and Qigong. Guided meditation recordings will be offered to support home practice. A half day silent retreat is also included.
Over the course of 6 weeks the following topics will be covered:
Plan to attend the orientation session which will be held on Jan. 11 from 1–2p.m., at no charge. Since this is a bigger time and financial commitment it’s important for everyone to know what is involved and what is expected, so include this class in your plans. If unable to attend, please let Gardens staff know and the teacher will contact you directly.
Registration will open soon.
The Gardens on Spring Creek requires 72 hours for a full refund of class fees. If class is cancelled by The Gardens on Spring Creek for any reason, a full refund will be issued. If you do need to cancel your registration, please contact the Education Team at gardenseducation@fcgov.com.