family programs | Atlanta
The following classes are free with Garden Admission and no registration is required.
Garden Playtime
Introduce your little one to the joys of nature! Join us for fun activities that will stimulate your child’s interest in the natural world. Suggested ages: 6 months – 5 years
Schedule Tuesdays, March – Oct., 10 a.m. – noon
Storybook Time
Listen to stories about bees, flowers, butterflies and other garden friends.
Suggested ages: 1– 4 years
Schedule Wednesdays, March – Oct., 10 & 10:45 a.m.
Garden Grooves
Get ready to wiggle and warble! Join us for songs and dances inspired by the beautiful outdoors. Suggested ages: 2 – 5 years
Schedule Thursdays, March – Oct., 10 & 10:45 a.m.
Drop-In Kids
Gardening Activity
Join us for a kid-friendly gardening activity such as seed planting, watering, or harvesting.
Schedule Wednesdays, March – Oct. 10 – 11 a.m.
Houseplants 101
Learn to put the right plant in the right place with this introduction to plants for your home. Discussions will cover traditional houseplants, unusual plants and outdoor plants to consider bringing inside. Examinations of typical home environments will look at light, temperature and humidity.
Schedule Saturday, May 20, 10 a.m. – noon
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline May 19
Instructor Kelsey Bartlett and Ariahne Rizik
Walking Tour: Horticulture Favorites
Walk the garden with one of our talented horticulturists, and discover “what’s in bloom” during this educational and informative tour. This is a weather dependent tour and is subject to change.
Schedule Saturday, May 27, 10 a.m. – Noon
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline May 26
Instructor Kelsey Bartlett
Macramé Air Plant Holder
Pollinator Walking Tour
Take a walk on the wild side to see the garden’s pollinators! This class will focus on pollinator identification, as well as their benefits and relationships with flowering plants, particularly those native to North America.
Schedule Saturday, June 24, 10 a.m. – Noon
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline June 23
Instructor Abby Armistead
Introduction to Aquatic Plants
This class will go over different aquatic plant species used in the Gainesville garden, potting techniques and mixes, and aquatic plants for container gardens and backyard ponds.
Schedule Saturday, July 22, 10 a.m. – Noon
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline July 21
Instructor Tori Powers
Photography in the Garden
Enjoy a stroll through the garden while learning photography techniques that will create beautiful botanic images.
Schedule Saturday, Aug. 12, 1 – 4 p.m.
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline Aug. 11
Instructor Bob Richardson
Chunky
Blanket Workshop
This workshop guides you through each step of the blanket making process to make-andtake your own hand-knit chunky blanket!
Fee includes five skeins of chunky yarn.
Schedule Saturday, Aug. 19, 2 – 5 p.m.
Fee $110 (Member $105)
Deadline Aug. 12
Instructor Padmavathy Jonnavithula
Container Walking Tour
Explore container gardens planned and created by horticulture staff. Learn basics including plant selection, soil types and choosing appropriate containers.
Schedule Saturdays, Aug. 26, 10 a.m. – Noon
Shows for Seedlings
Enjoy a variety of live performances by some of Atlanta’s most beloved children’s musicians and storytellers in this engaging series.
Schedule Fridays, May – Sept., 10 & 10:45 a.m.
In this class, you will create a boho-style wall holder for a delicate air plant that will look beautiful in any room in your home.
Schedule Saturday, June 10, 2 – 3 p.m
Fee $45 (Member $40)
Deadline June 5
Instructor Karen Rogeberg
Blooms in Mixed Media: Working with Watercolors, Graphite and Acrylic on Toned Paper
Capture bouquets of flowers and all their colors, shapes and textures. When line, color and paint marry on the toned background you capture the whimsical blooms. View the supply list on atlantabg.org/gvlartsupplies.
Schedule Thursday, June 22 and Friday, June 23 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fee $95 (Member $90)
Greenhouse Tour
Come take a behind-the-scenes tour of our 3-acre greenhouse and nursery facilities! Our private greenhouse was the first structure built on the Gainesville property in 2004, and is still supplying plant materials to both the Gainesville and Atlanta gardens.
Schedule Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m. – Noon
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline July 7
Instructor William Robinson and Ethan Guthrie
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline Aug. 25
Instructor Tori Powers
family programs | Gainesville
*The following classes are free with Garden Admission and no registration is required.
Garden Magic Summer Camp
The Garden Magic Camp fosters a fun creative environment for kids to get excited about the science and magic of nature with STEM-based activities.
Schedule July 17 – 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. OR July 24 – 28, 9 a.m – 1 p.m.
Ages 6-9
Fee $275 (Members $245)
Deadline May 8
Storybook Time*
Listen to stories about bees, flowers, butterflies and other garden friends.
Suggested ages: 1 - 4 years
Schedule Wednesdays, April - Aug., 10 - 10:30 a.m.
Sensory Bin Time*
Enjoy themed bins each week that are fun for the whole family!
Schedule Wednesdays, April – Aug., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Fairytale Fridays*
Come to the garden dressed as your favorite fairytale character and enjoy a magical activity.
Schedule Second Fridays, May – July, 11 a.m.
Family Fun Day*
Discover a variety of activities and different monthly themes designed for the whole family to enjoy!
Schedule First Saturday of each month
May – Oct.
Classes & Programs for Adults and Children
adult classes | Gainesville
Atlanta | Gainesville | May - August 2023
adult classes
Capturing the Garden in Colored Pencil
Experience the joy of drawing colorful plant life outdoors at the Garden in late spring!
We will focus on modified contour drawing (line and shape) in color. Prior drawing experience recommended. This class will take place outdoors, as weather permits
Schedule Tuesdays, May 2 - 30, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.
Fee $210 (Member $200)
Deadline April 28
Instructor Carol Anne Sutherland, Artist
Basics of Biocontrol
Learn the basics of managing pest problems in your plants at home. Develop good scout ing skills, reliable identification techniques and simple solutions using beneficial organ isms. Participate in a predator release!
Schedule Wednesday, May 10, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline May 6
Instructor Taylor Marshall, Orchid Horticultural Curator Taylor Polomsky, Senior Horticulturist
Container Gardening
Master the basics of container selection, preferred soil types and design. Get tips from a Garden expert on the best annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs for year-round appeal in your garden.
Schedule Wednesday, May 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee $29 (Member $24)
Deadline May 20
Instructor Amy Hegwood, Assistant Horticulturist
Teas & Tisanes
An introductory course on growing herbs for tea! The workshop will cover three - four plants/herbs commonly grown for teas, how to grow and care for them as well as how to harvest and brew. Participants will go home with a seedling to get started!
Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m. - noon
$34 (Member $29)
Brandon Brones, Community Programs Coordinator
Basics of Water Gardening
Drawing Orchids in Black & White
Edible Gardening for Beginners
Get your vegetable garden producing for the upcoming growing seasons. Learn to site and prepare soil, select plants, start seeds and maintain your garden for maximum yield.
Schedule Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. - noon
Fee $29 (Member $24)
Deadline July 11
Instructor Sam Gader, Senior Horticulturist
Spring Brunch
Enjoy brunch in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen with Executive Chef
Mark Alba and Executive Pastry Chef Lindsey Davis from Hartley Kitchen & Cocktails and Aveline Bar, Lounge & Patio. Sample four of their tasty recipes with coffee, tea or a signature cocktail.
Schedule Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m. - noon
Fee $80 (Member $75)
Deadline April 24
Instructor Mark Alba & Lindsey Davis
Drawing Orchids in Colored Pencil
for a demo. Register early – space is limited.
Schedule Saturday, May 13, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fee $34 (Member $29)
Deadline May 9
Instructor Curtis Gentry, Garden Beekeeper
This aquatic gardening primer offers an introduction to planting in pots and ponds and managing aquatic plant pests and wildlife. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how the Garden cares for its ponds, and discover some of the team’s favorite water lilies and lotus, including some recent additions.
Schedule Wednesday, May 31, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee $29 (Member $24)
Deadline May 27
Instructor Jim Smith, Horticulture Manager
Shade Gardening
Learn about understory trees, shrubs and herbaceous plant choices. The class focuses on plants that work well in combination for a healthy plant community.
Schedule Wednesday, June 7, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee $29 (Member $24)
Deadline June 3
Instructor Taylor Polomsky, Senior Horticulturist
Build Your Own Bog Bowl
Online: atlantabg.org
Voice Mail: 404-876-5859 ext. 2555
Parking: Class fee does not include parking
Pre-registration is highly encouraged: Classes sell out quickly and walk-ins are only accepted if space is available.
Questions? Email classes@atlantabg.org
Brunch in the Garden
Well-Seasoned Chef Series
Orchids are intriguingly complex. A simplified approach, using black and white media, aids in exploring and drawing orchids. It is a prerequisite for Drawing Orchids in Colored Pencil. Previous drawing experience is strongly recommended. (no class July 4)
Schedule Tuesdays, June 13 - July 18 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.
Fee $210 (Member $200)
Deadline June 9
Instructor Carol Sutherland, Artist
Tai Chi
Explore the exquisite and varied colorations of the Orchid family! This class is part of the Botanical Drawing Program. Previous drawing experience is strongly recommended.
Schedule Tuesdays, July 25 - Aug. 22, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.
Fee $210 (Member $200)
Deadline July 21
Instructor Carol Sutherland, Artist
Drawing Trees
Celebrate trees by learning to draw them with pencil, pen, marker and charcoal. This class is part of the Botanical Drawing Program. This class will take place outdoors, as weather permits.
Schedule Tuesdays, Aug. 29 - Sept. 26, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. OR 6 - 9 p.m.
Orchids, Divas of the Design World
Refund Policy: Refunds are granted if requested at least three days in advance.
Membership: Join or renew online at atlantabg.org/ join; for assistance by phone, please call Membership at 404-591-1539.
Membership Prices: Individual $80 | Dual $115 |Family $125
This hands-on, interactive class will be accompanied by a behind-the-scenes tour and instruction from an experienced staff member. Space is extremely limited and plants will require full sun to thrive.
Schedule Saturday, June 10, 10 a.m. - noon
Fee $64 (Member $59)
Deadline June 6
Instructor Maxwell Kotelnicki Conservation Display Garden Horticulturist
Create an arrangement with orchids using a variety of botanical accents including mosses, branches, pods and air plants in a decorative container. We will pot the orchids to make them simple to maintain and learn which com panion plants are best to cohabit with orchids.
Wednesday, June 21, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
$79 (Member $74)
June 17
Terry Furuta, Terry Furuta Designs
Indulge in a decadent brunch with Jessica McKinney, Executive Pastry Chef at Canoe.
Learn from the chef as she prepares tasting courses and sip on a refreshing mimosa as you savor her creations in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen.
Schedule Saturday, May 6, 10 a.m. - noon
Fee $80 (Member $75)
Deadline May 1
Instructor Jessica McKinney, Canoe
Summer Plant-Based Picnic
Learn to prepare three colorful, vegan fingerfood recipes that are favorites among all ages. With flavors inspired by the summer garden, wholesome cooking never tasted so good!
Schedule Saturday, June 24, 4 - 6 p.m.
Fee $55 (Member $50)
Deadline June 19
Instructor Shobha Swamy
Join celebrated Atlanta chefs for an intimate and relaxing culinary experience. Learn as they prepare and discuss a four-part menu with wine selections to enhance the flavors of locally and garden grown produce. View chef line-up online at atlantabg.org/wsc.
Schedule Select Tuesdays, April - October, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee $135 per dinner; $750 for six dinners Register Call 404-876-5859 ext 2559
Fresh Plates Series
Enjoy a fun evening dining, sipping and learning as favorite neighborhood chefs prepare a four-part small plate menu. Learn new recipes and taste freshly prepared courses and wine.
Schedule Select Wednesdays, April - October, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Fee $85 (Members $80) Register atlantabg.org/freshplates
Fermented Condiments
Learn to make your own fermented condiments—from ketchup, mustard and relish, to hot sauce, salsa and more—with Contraband Ferments. Get the history and science behind fermentation, as well as the basic principles to make your own delicious, probiotic-rich condiments and sample a few in the Edible Garden Outdoor Kitchen
Schedule Thursday, May 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Fee $50 (Member $45)
Deadline May 4
Instructor Cheryl Passwater
outdoor kitchen | Atlanta
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