Gardening and Botanical Crafts
Covering topics from photography and terrariums to bonsai and seed-starting, our Gardening and Botanical Classes schedule will excite and inspire you!
For more details about our programs, or to receive personalized class recommendations from our helpful staff, please feel free to contact us at edu@phipps.conservatory.org.
Make Your Own Terrarium | Rose Kocher
Tues., Oct. 23 | 7 – 9 p.m.
$20 members | $25 nonmembers | Material fee: $25
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park
Level: Beginner
Learn how to create a living garden under glass while discussing plant selection, visual design, proper care and different styles of terrariums, such as open versus closed and wet versus dry. Please bring a container to make your own terrarium. Anything from a glass bowl to an apothecary jar is appropriate. All other materials (including soil, moss, rocks and plants) will be provided.
Fall Foraging for Wild Edible Plants and Mushrooms | Adam Haritan
Thurs., Oct. 25 | 7 – 9 p.m.
Field trip: Sat., Oct. 27 (Rain date: Sun., Oct. 28) | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
$40 members | $45 nonmembers
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park (lecture) and Schenley Park (field trip)
Level: Beginner
Autumn is a great season to learn the skills you need to forage for various wild greens, roots, nuts, seeds, fruits and edible mushrooms. Identify wild edible plants, trees and mushrooms, discover the nutritional benefits of wild foods, explore drying and storing methods, learn how to harvest and process acorns, and much more. We will also learn about late-season wild foods, including those available in the winter months. Plus, take a walk through Schenley Park to find wild edible plants and mushrooms.
Digital Photography | Bob Egan
Saturdays: Oct. 27; Nov. 3, 10 and 17 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
$120 members | $140 nonmembers
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Botany Hall
Level: Beginner
Explore different aspects of photography through the use of a digital camera. Topics to be covered include digital workflow, camera settings, composition, image transfer and viewing preparation. Subjects like white balance, jpeg versus raw formats, and histograms will be de-mystified so that they can be used as reliable tools. As you practice, you will receive instructor feedback on weekly photographic assignments. People with all levels of experience are welcome.
Bonsai Forest Workshop | Dr. Norbert Pietrzak
Sat., Oct. 27 | 10 a.m. – noon
$30 members | $35 nonmembers | Material fee: $45
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park
Level: Beginner
Using three Korean Hornbeam seedlings, create a landscape that replicates nature. Learn how to plant, prune and maintain this spectacular style of bonsai. Please bring a pair of hand pruners if you have them. Class size is limited to 15 participants, so be sure to register early.
Papermaking and Illustrating with Plants | Katy DeMent
Wednesdays: Oct. 10, 17, 24 and 31 | 7 – 9 p.m.
$80 members | $90 nonmembers | Material fee: $30
Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park
Level: Beginner/ Intermediate
Learn about both traditional and modern papermaking techniques, color, texture, surface design and composition as you create your own recycled paper out of plant fibers collected from your home and garden. Plus, explore the process of producing pulp from both dry and green fibers, learn how to use pressed and dried leaves and flowers as embellishments, discover how to make seeded papers, and experiment with various methods, such as dyeing plant fibers and wet-on-wet collage. Dry handmade paper sheets will be hand-bound into sample/recipe books with more handcrafted papers to keep and share.
