Adult & Teen Classes

Register at MeijerGardens.org/calendar. Adult classes are open to ages 16 and up. Teen classes are labeled with age ranges. *Applies toward Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener education credit.

Big Impact For Small Spaces* (Adults) Wednesday, March 9, 6–8 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Instructed by Stacey Hirvela

Small spaces provide big opportunity—with the right attitude and know-how. Receive 13 easy-to-implement tips to help you get the most out of your yard, even if you thought it was too hopelessly small to do anything special. With examples from small-space gardens around the world, you’ll be inspired to dream big about any garden space.

Permaculture For Beginners* (Adults) Saturday, March 12, 10 am–12 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Instructed by Jonathan Sowder, Honeybird Farms

Learn about the buzzword “permaculture” in this beginner class by local farmers at Honeybird Farms, where they farm in nature’s image. Discover methodologies instructor Jonathan Sowder and his family practice, including successional and companioning planting, composting, using rainwater catchment, and incorporating animals. Learn how to apply tried-and-true permaculture practices at any scale—whether for an urban garden or larger producing plot. Discover why mimicking the natural environment is important to keep nutrients in the soil and be better stewards to the environment, while producing healthy food for ourselves and our families.

Simple Ceramic Planter (Adults) Wednesday, March 16, 5:30–8:30 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Instructed by Harmony Nguyen

Create a small garden container, just the right size for a pot of pansies. Learn hand-building techniques and use interesting tools to give your container texture, then glaze it with a pleasing color. Pick up later, after off-site firing. Butterfly Photography (Adults) Sun, March 20, 9–11 am $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Dusty Brown

Learn techniques for creating fantastic butterfly photos, including lens selection, background choice, composition, light and exposure. Enjoy time alone with the butterflies before public hours begin. Bring a tripod or monopod and a macro and/or telephoto lens. Some photography experience is necessary.

Groundcover Reimagined (Adults) Wednesday, March 23, 2–4 pm $25 members | $35 nonmembers Instructed by Christopher Imler

There’s more to groundcovers than Vinca and Pachysandra. Discover unique and beautiful groundcovers that will thrive in sun or shade, cover slopes, and create a living mulch that crowds out weeds. Receive helpful tips on how to properly plant and maintain groundcovers to ensure success.

Spring Zentangle (Adults) Saturday, March 26, 10 am–12 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Marjorie Goosen

Join your friends and amaze yourself with your own hidden talent in this drawing discovery session, creating unique and beautiful images inspired by the beginning of the spring season! Learn simple repetitive patterns then add your own flair using a Sakura pen, which is yours to take home.

Mosaic Steppingstone (Adults) Tuesday, March 29, 6–9 pm $40 members | $50 nonmembers Instructed by Cindy Len

Add extra beauty to your garden or landscaping this spring with a mosaic steppingstone! Learn the process of inlaying glass and ceramic pieces into concrete-filled molds, creating a composition of your choice. Bring your own fun trinkets to add to the piece, such as keys, broken pottery, and seashells, and choose from the large selection provided. Steppingstones will be kept at Meijer Gardens until the concrete has set, to be picked up at a later date. Plant A Cut Flower Garden* (Adults) Saturday, April 9, 10 am–12 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Lori Hernandez, Three Acre Farm

In this beginner’s class, learn how grow a cut flower garden; from preparing your soil and seed starting, to proper planting and harvesting techniques. Discover how to extend the growing season to have successful flowers from spring to fall and tips for making their blooms last. Plus, receive a list of tried-and-true flower varieties to get you started!

Create A Kokedama Orchid (Adults) Saturday, April 9, 3–5 pm $80 members, $90 nonmembers Instructed by Josephine Fowler, Puddingstone Farm

Learn the Japanese art of kokedama by planting an orchid on a moss-covered sphere that can be displayed on a tray or hung in a sunny spot in your home. Receive a lovely Phalaenopsis (moth orchid), a homemade terra cotta saucer, step-bystep instructions and a material source guide. Discover the steps to successfully transform your orchid into a unique art form and learn how to care for and enjoy this lovely tropical plant. No experience necessary. All materials provided.

Spring-Inspired Fused Glass Panel (Adults) Wednesday, April 13, 6–8 pm OR Thursday, April 14, 6–8 pm $80 members | $90 nonmembers Instructed by Gloria Badiner

Create a fun, easel-mounted panel to brighten your home! Participants will construct a 6-by-6inch glass panel, exploring the process of dichroic mosaic to create a beautiful composition. Projects will be kiln-fired off-site and returned to Meijer Gardens for pickup. No experience necessary. All tools and materials provided.

Floral Resin Jewelry For Teens (Ages 14–18) Saturday, April 16, 11 am–1 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Instructed by Taylor Bultema

Learn how to create epoxy resin jewelry from start to finish including how to pour and cure the material to achieve a perfect base. Then let your creativity flow by designing a striking floral composition, with optional decorative elements such as glitters and foils. Bring your own dried organic materials or choose from our selection.

Native Landscaping for Sun and Shade* (Adults) Tuesday, April 19, 5–7:30 pm $30 members | $40 nonmembers Instructed by Mandi Michielsen, Hum Native Plantscapes

Discover how landscaping with native plants can better support birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. This class will go over how to get started, tried-and-true plants for sun and shade, where to source plants or seeds, and best practices for maintaining. Be inspired to incorporate native perennials into your yard of any size to partner with wildlife, add color throughout the season, as well as winter interest. Following the indoor presentation, we will take a walk around Meijer Gardens, weather permitting, to see how we incorporate native plants in our gardens. Students will receive a list of tried-andtrue shady and sunny native plants along with a voucher for the Kent Conservation District Native Plant Sale.

Painting With Wool (Adults) Friday, April 22, 1–4:30 pm OR Saturday April 23, 1–4:30 pm $80 members | $90 nonmembers Instructed by Kathy Forzley

Learn how to create a beautiful impressioniststyle painting using wool fiber and wet felting techniques! Use a photo of your choice for inspiration to create a simple flower design, still life or landscape. The instructor will discuss techniques for adding color and demonstrate how to prepare the wool base, create flower and leaf shapes, and ways to enhance your layout. At the end of the workshop, leave with a beautiful textural piece that can be further embellished with hand embroidery, machine stitching, beading and other decorations (optional). Your finished piece can be mounted on canvas, framed, or made into a pillow cover or another decorative accessory. Most materials provided.

Watercolor In The Japanese Garden (Adults) Saturday, April 23, 10 am–1 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Instructed by Nancy Hart

Start with a short lesson in the classroom, learning tips and tricks from an experienced art professor. Then head outside to use your newly acquired skills, moving around the Richard & Helen DeVos Japanese Garden to capture beautiful spring flowers and trees. Create mini-landscapes or work up close to your subject in this tranquil environment. Floral Chinese Ink Drawing (Adults) Saturday, May 7, 1:30–4:30 pm $45 members | $55 nonmembers Instructed by Lotus Liu

Learn ink drawing techniques using traditional Chinese methods and brushes. Spend time exploring spring blooms on our grounds, then come back to the classroom for a guided painting activity of floral designs on rice paper.

Photography 101 For Teens (Ages 14–18) Tuesday, May 17, 6–8:30 pm $35 members | $45 nonmembers Instructed by Ashlee McGreevy

Learn the foundations of digital photography, including how, when and why to take your camera off automatic. Explore how to navigate camera settings such as shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Gain a better understanding of composition and lighting to get the most Instagram-worthy photos.

From Pebbles To Boulders (Adults) Wednesday, May 18, 5–7:30 pm $25 members, $35 nonmembers Instructed by Chris Major

From small pebbles to large boulders, learn how stone is used in landscape and garden design on different scales. Discover what kinds of stone can be sourced locally, stone characteristics and qualities, stone placement, and the relationship between plant material and stone. End class with a tour of Meijer Gardens, weather permitting, to look at specific examples and discuss how you could use stone in your own landscaping, keeping budget, scale, and material type in mind.

Art Journaling (Adults) Thursday, May 26, 10 am–1 pm $65 members | $75 nonmembers Instructed by Katie Reitemeier

Art journaling is the perfect outlet for relaxed, colorful expression. Part scrapbook, part diary, it’s a stress-free way to play with color while capturing words and memories you treasure— all in one place. Receive a 9”x12” art journal and use sprays, stencils, sponging, transfers, oil pastels, artist inks, and much more to create backgrounds for your journaling. No prior art experience required. Spring Colors Living Wreath (Adults) Thursday, May 26, 2–4 pm $80 member | $90 nonmembers Instructed by Elizabeth Wesley-Martin, Meijer Gardens Horticulturist

Create a unique and beautiful living wreath! Starting with a 16-inch wreath base, build a lovely form including a selection of hanging and colorful plants and flowers. Learn how to ensure success throughout the season and leave with instructions to create living wreaths for years to come. No experience necessary. All materials are provided.

Ikebana-Inspired Iris Floral Arrangement (Adults) Saturday, June 4, 12-2 pm $55 members | $65 nonmembers Instructed by Mandi Stade

Create a unique floral arrangement based on principles of ikebana, the Japanese art of floral design. Learn about equipment that is needed; how to select branches, flowers and other plant material; and how to arrange them to create a composition that reflects the beauty found in nature during spring. Taught by a certified instructor with rank of 4th Grade Sogetsu Ikebana Teacher. No experience necessary. All materials provided. Includes admission to the Iris Show, Saturday, June 4.

Spring Foraging (Adults) Thursday, June 9, 11 am–3 pm $60 members | $70 nonmembers Location: Outdoor Discovery Center, Holland, Michigan Instructed by Maggie Conklin, LadyHawk Nutrition

In this off-site class at the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Michigan, you’ll learn about the abundance of “wild foods” in Southwest Michigan and discover how sustainable foraging can deepen your connection with the natural environment. Maggie Conklin ND BCDTN BCMH, Maven of Heirloom Academy and owner of LadyHawk Nutrition, will blend instruction in an outdoor classroom and guided walks to highlight the seasonal identification and ethnobotany of these plants and challenge notions of what many might view as weeds. Expect a fair amount of walking and standing. Bring a notebook and dress for the weather. Fee includes a snack, water bottle, boxed lunch, information and resources to guide future foraging endeavors, and all gratuities.

For scholariship assistance call 616-974-5225. Classes will be subject to COVID-19 guidelines in place at the time of the event. Cancellation Policy: withdraw from a class at least 30 days in advance for a full refund. Withdraw 7 to 29 days in advance and receive a 50% refund. No refund if within 7 days. Call 616-975-3184 or 616-975-3147 for cancellations and/or questions.