Plant Identification & Culture Workshops
2017-12-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2018-01-27 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Diane Pierce
One Saturday a month 1pm - 4pm
2018 Dates: January 27, February 17, March 17, April 14, May 12, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 8

Learn all about plants with Diane Pierce, expert gardener, designer and writer. Diane will introduce you to 25 new plants in each session. You will learn Latin & common names, plant descriptions, cultural requirements, general maintenance and landscape uses. This is an ongoing course & can be joined at any time, all year long, one Saturday a month.
HCP Members $35.00 per session or $350 for 12 sessions
Non-Members $45.00 per session or $450 for 12 sessions
To register, call 250 479 6162

Festive Table Centrepiece Workshop
2017-12-16 10:00 - 12:00
Garden and floral designer Patty Brown will teach you how to create an exquisite holiday centerpiece using fresh greens and natural materials that will become the focus of conversation not just decoration. You will learn about the tools, supplies and floral products required to create your own arrangement in this hands on workshop. Take home a one of a kind centerpiece that will last for weeks with minimal care. Bring secateurs (hand pruners). All other materials supplied.
Please put your name on the waiting list if the class is full. If we have enough interest we will run a second class.
HCP Members $25
Non Members $35

To register, call 250 479 6162

Closed for the Holidays until January 6.
2017-12-18 08:00 - 17:00

Saanich Seedy Saturday
2018-01-13 10:00 - 14:00
Haliburton Farms, with support from the Gardens at HCP and the District of Saanich, presents Saanich Seedy Saturday on January 13th, 10 am - 2 pm.
Speakers:
11:00 am: Bill Jones from Deerholme Farm: Gardening with Mushrooms.
12.30 pm: Dan Jason from Saltspring Seeds: Introducing Ancient Grains and Seeds, his new book.
Local certified organic seeds, produce, children's table, quality vendors.
$5 includes entry to gardens at HCP.
Refreshments available at Charlotte and the Quail: http://www.charlotteandthequail.ca/
Contact and registrations: Haliburton Farm - info@haliburtonfarm.org

By Donation Monday
2018-01-15
On the third Monday of every month, admission to the Gardens at HCP is by donation - a great opportunity to check out our beautiful gardens!

Cedar Bark Woven Cell Phone Holder or Pouch
2018-01-20 09:30 - 16:30
with Joan Carrigan
Weaving a beautiful individualized pouch or cell phone holder with local plant materials is very satisfying. I have carried my cell phone in a pouch like this for years and have had so many comments I thought it was time to share the fun. We will begin with a discussion on how to plan the project to fit a specific cell phone. Then we will weave and design the pouch using a variety of plaiting, twining and twill patterns. Local natural materials used will be cedar bark, willow bark and sedge. Discussion will cover how to harvest and prepare these materials respectfully.
Please add your name to the interest list if the class is full. If we have enough interest, a second class will run on Sunday, January 21.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Biography: Joan Carrigan
Joan Carrigan is a full time basketmaker and basketry teacher living on Salt Spring Island, BC. Over the past 25 years, her passion for baskets has led her to study, travel and explore many different techniques and materials within the medium. Joan studied Fine Art and Art History at the University of Guelph and her love of history has fueled her research in traditional techniques. Her background in fine art has fueled her enthusiasm for the sculptural and creative potentials that the medium offers. Her inspiration comes from the plant materials she respectfully harvests from nature. Joan's work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Joan teaches extensively both close to home and in Europe and finds this to be a very rewarding aspect of her career.

Grow your Own Cut Flower Garden Workshop - Winter
2018-01-28 09:00 - 12:00
with Eiddwen Thomas
Sunday - January 28 - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
This Winter session is part of a four part series on Growing Your Own Cutting Garden through the four seasons of the year, Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
Winter is a great time to reflect on how your garden did last year and to start to plan your cutting garden for the year. It is a good time to enjoy the beauty of cutting things from the garden in our Victoria winter as well as the joy of potted bulbs brought indoors. This session will include a process to reflect on the previous year and plan for the new year. Based on the location, space and type of garden you have, the group facilitator will assist you in planning and designing your own cutting flower garden for the recreational gardener. The session will also include a demonstration on starting sweet peas and other seeds. Enjoy the opportunity to have a tour of the gardens at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific while we identify materials that can be used for cutting at this time of year. This is a great opportunity to get together with like minded people who are passionate about beautiful flowers!
The group facilitator is Eiddwen Thomas of Cartref Gardens. Eiddwen is a flower farmer/florist who has a small garden, less than an acre, where she has grown flowers commercially for 15 years. She also provides workshops and floral design for weddings and special events. www.cartrefgardens.ca
Subsequent Workshops:
Spring - Sunday - March 4 - 9:00 pm - 12 pm
Summer - Sunday June 24 - 9 am to 12 pm.
Fall - Sunday September 9th - 9 am to 12 pm.
Members $55/Non Members - $60 - per class
Members $180/Non Members $220 - for 4 part series
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Biography: Eiddwen Thomas
Eiddwen is a local floral designer, flower farmer and owner of Cantref Gardens. She has grown many different kinds of flowers and other materials for cutting and especially loves doing floral design for weddings and special events. She has a flower stall at the Sidney Market and the Peninsula Country Market. Eiddwen has been the curator for the cutting garden at the Horticultural Centre for the Pacific for several years.

Pesticide Applicator Certificate Course - Agricultural
2018-01-29 13:00 - 16:30, 2018-01-30 08:30 - 16:30, 2018-01-31 08:30 - 12:30
Pesticide Applicator Certificate Course (Agricultural General Category):
Course:
Monday January 29, 2018 – 1:00 to 4:30pm
Tuesday January 30, 2018 – 8:30am to 4:30pm
Wednesday January 31, 2018 – 8:30am to 12:30pm
Exam:
Wednesday January 31, 2018 1:30 to 4:30pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $350 including textbooks and exam fees
(Cost without books: $260)
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

Pesticide Applicator Certificate Exam - Agricultural
2018-01-31 13:30 - 16:30

Kids Garden Club
2018-02-03 09:45 - 11:45
*September date revision to September 1, 2018*
Once a month we meet for seasonal gardening activities in our very own JMG Garden Plot! Our growing season starts early, and there is always lots to do!! When the weather is not quite ideal, we can work indoors to start seeds, learn to propagate plants, plan our home gardens, build trellising, and lots more. When the weather cooperates, we spend every minute creating garden beds, amending soil, mulching, planting, weeding, staking, and watering! These are great skills to get your garden enthusiast growing their own food at home. There are lots of take homes, from seeds to plants and harvests whenever available.
Club Dates: 9:45 am – 11:45 am (Saturdays 2018 - Feb 3, Mar3, April 7, may 5, June 2, Sept 1, Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1)
Cost: $10/2 hr session
Ages: All ages welcome! Children under 5 need to be with a supervising/participating adult

Terrarium Garden's for Kids
2018-02-03 13:00 - 14:30
Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. Get creative as you learn about the needs of little plants for indoors, and what better place to grow them than in an upcycled glass container. Bring along a glass bowl, vase, jar or other container and see what you can create for your room????. (Containers should measure up to 20 cm in size). Parent participation is required for children under 6 years of age.
Ages: 4 + years
Fee: $15/child

Pruning Ornamental Plants
2018-02-19 18:30 - 21:00
with Patty Brown
An understanding of how and why plants respond to pruning will help you get the results you want with any plant in your garden. Patty Brown, Pacific Horticultural College instructor will take you through the steps, theory and techniques of pruning. The workshop consists of two lectures and one hands on session to practice what you've learnt.
HCP Members $95
Non Members $115
Monday & Wednesday - February 19 & 21 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Saturday - February 24 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

JMG Pro-D Day Camp
2018-02-23 09:00 - 16:00
Junior Master Gardener Camp (JMG)
Come grow with us! This dynamic program educates youth about horticulture, health, nutrition, environmental science, leadership and life skills using fun and creative activities. Flexibility is a key component of the JMG program that enables it to be adapted to meet the needs and interests of different individuals and organizations. It is perfectly suited to Afterschool Childcare Programs, 4-H, Home School groups, or any number of interest groups as a program enhancement. If you are interested in having a JMG program at your school, recreation centre, home school group, or other, please contact our School and Youth Programs Coordinator.
At HCP we have been offering this international, licensed program since 2005. See our list of upcoming JMG Camps below, including JMG Pro-D Day Camps, Spring Break Camps, Summer full and part day camps. This program is facilitated by Victoria Master Gardeners Association members.
JMG PRO – D DAY CAMPS
Dates: Friday, February 23 and Friday, April 20, 2018
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $38/child
Ages: 5 ½ years – 12 years
Registration: register at HCP office (250-479-6162) **see sign up sheet Pro-D Day Camps**
SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Dates: March 19 – 23 and March 26 – 29, 2018
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $180/5 day camp, $145/4 day camp
Ages: 5 ½ years – 12 years
Registration: register at Saanich Recreation (250-475-7600)
SUMMER CAMPS (JMG and Garden Arts)
Dates: July 9 -13 (JMG full days), July 23 – 27 (Garden Arts half days),
August 7 - 10 (JMG full days), 2018
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (full days), 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (half days)
Cost: $180/5 day camps, $145/4 day camps, $95/5 half day camps
Ages: 5 ½ years – 12 years
Registration: register at Saanich Recreation (250-475-7600)

Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Town
2018-02-23 10:00 - 2018-02-25 15:00
TWO WEEKENDS OF FUN! FEBRUARY 23 TO 25 AND MARCH 2 TO 4, 2018.
For more information, please visit - https://attractionsvictoria.com/be-a-tourist/

Pesticide Applicator Certificate Course
2018-02-24 09:00 - 16:30, 2018-02-25 09:00 - 16:30
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: February 24 and 25, 2018
Exam: February 26, 2018
Course: Saturday + Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Exam: Monday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $400 including textbooks and exam fees
Cost without books: $280
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

Pesticide Applicator Exam
2018-02-26 18:00 - 21:00
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: February 24 and 25, 2018
Exam: February 26, 2018
Course: Saturday + Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Exam: Monday 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $400 including textbooks and exam fees
Cost without books: $280
Cost for exam only: $110
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

HCP Planned Giving Event
2018-02-27 14:00 - 16:00
hosted by Berwick House
“What everyone should know when doing their will”
Please join us for this informative event - Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided.
When: February 27th
Where: Berwick House at 4062 Shelbourne Street
Time: 2pm – 4pm
Speakers:
Sara Neely – Director of Philanthropic Services at the Victoria Foundation
Stephanie A Sieber – Principal at Sitka Law, specializing in Wills and Estates
Bill Fosdick, President of the Capital Region Beekeeper Association, with a talk on “Bees – Victoria's Plant Pollinators”
RSVP to director@hcp.ca to secure your space as seating is limited.

Be a Tourist in Your Own Home Town
2018-03-02 09:00 - 2018-03-04 17:00
TWO WEEKENDS OF FUN! FEBRUARY 23 TO 25 AND MARCH 2 TO 4, 2018.
For more information, please visit - https://attractionsvictoria.com/be-a-tourist/
We're delighted to be offering guided tours to Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown passholders this weekend! Join us on Saturday, March 3rd at 1:00pm or Sunday, March 4th at 11:00am.
These tours are offered by volunteer Master Gardeners and generally run 30-45 minutes with a focus on the Doris Page Winter Garden.
There is no cost for this opportunity, but donations are graciously accepted. There is no registration required; simply meet near the pond at the front entrance 10 minutes before the scheduled start to check in with your guide. Each tour can accommodate 12 people on a first come, first served basis.

The Backyard Orchard Workshop
2018-03-03 09:00 - 12:00
with Ryan Senechal
This workshop is for those serious about cultivating fruit and nuts in an urban space. Ryan Senechal will cover: selection of cultivars, planting, staking & training, soil, nutrients & watering, pruning, plant health & cultural controls, grafting & propagation. The focus will be on apple, cherry, pear, plum, peach, kiwi, Carpathian walnut, butternut, hazelnut, fig, blueberry & raspberry.
HCP Members $90
Non-Members $110
Saturdays - March 3 & 10 - 9:00am - 12:00pm
To register, call 250 479 6162

Hypertufa Workshop
2018-03-03 10:00 - 13:00
with Paul Spriggs
In this hands-on workshop, participants will produce a 12 x 14 inch hypertufa trough in the classic rock garden style. Hypertufa is a concrete substitute that looks just like concrete but weighs much less, making it easier to transport. Participants will go through the process of creating the forms, mixing the materials, and setting the trough. As there is a curing period, participants will have to return at a later date to collect their creations. Included in the cost are the forms and all the materials to make one trough. The forms are reusable, so once the skill has been learned, participants may continue to create many more troughs in the future.
HCP Members $65
Non-Members $70
Instructor Biography: Paul Spriggs
Paul Spriggs is an avid rock gardener , plant explorer, photographer and mountaineer, owner of Spriggs Gardens Landscaping company, and current Vice President of the Vancouver island Rock and Alpine Garden Society. Paul specializes in a new style of rock gardening called Crevice Gardening, having learned the craft from some of the European innovators of the style. He has a passion for all wild plants especially those of dwarf Stature.

Grow your Own Cut Flower Garden Workshop - Spring
2018-03-04 09:00 - 12:00
with Eiddwen Thomas
This class is part of a seasonal series and can be taken on its own. Learn the secrets of growing your own flowers for cutting and arranging with floral designer, Eiddwen Thomas. Eiddwen is the owner of Cartref Gardens, a commercial cut flower farm in North Saanich. Growing your own flowers can be a very rewarding and creative experience. You can select which flowers you want to grow according to your own style and taste. Having your own flower garden will ensure fresh quality for the very best of flowers for your home, special events or for gifting. Growing your flowers organically can also provide benefits to the local environment. Participants in the Spring class will learn what to do in April/May for their own cutting garden. This session will include what plants can be grown in the Spring for cutting, starting your own seeds, locating the site for your cutting garden and preparing the soil.
Subsequent workshops:
Summer - Sunday June 24 - 9 am to 12 pm.
Fall - Sunday September 9th - 9 am to 12 pm.
Winter - Sunday January 20th 2019 - 9 am to 12 pm
Members $55/Non Members - $60 - per class
Members $180/Non Members $220 - for 4 part series
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Biography: Eiddwen Thomas
Eiddwen is a local floral designer, flower farmer and owner of Cantref Gardens. She has grown many different kinds of flowers and other materials for cutting and especially loves doing floral design for weddings and special events. She has a flower stall at the Sidney Market and the Peninsula Country Market. Eiddwen has been the curator for the cutting garden at the Horticultural Centre for the Pacific for several years.

Hellebore Sunday!
2018-03-04 12:00 - 15:00
Come and join us on Sunday, March 4 for our annual Hellebore Sunday from 12pm - 3pm.
A variety of hellebores and their companion plants will be available for purchase. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer all your questions about any hellebores you adopt.

Healthy Soils Workshop Series: Soil Basics for the Home Gardener
2018-03-11 10:00 - 12:00
with Christina Nikolic
This class can be taken on its own or as part of our Healthy Soils Series.
What kind of soil do you have in your garden? How can you improve your soil health? If figuring out how to care for your soil seems like a complex and daunting task, then this workshop is for you. Instructor Christina Nikolic of the Organic Gardener's Pantry will teach you how to determine the soil types and how they function. You will learn about organic matter and living organism in the soil and how these impact plant health. You will also be introduced to safe and simple fertilizers and amendments to improve your soil health. The home gardener will leave with the basic knowledge and resources to make the best of the soil conditions in their own gardens.
Classes in the Healthy Soils series include:
Soil Basics for the Home Gardener – Sunday – March 11 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Effective Microbes for the Garden – Saturday – April 7 – 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Compost Tea for the Garden – Sunday – April 29 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Selecting Fertilizers & Mulches for the Organic Garden – Sunday – May 27 – 10:00am – 12:00pm
Individual Classes - HCP Members $35/Non-Members $40
Entire Series (4 Classes) - HCP Members $100/Non-Members $130

Instructor Bio: Christina Nikolic
Christina's background is in landscape design and gardening. She is a senior instructor at Gaia College, where she teaches the Organic Master Gardener and Ecological Landscape Design courses. Christina is a SOUL Certified Organic Land Care Professional and has been serving on the board of directors of SOUL (Society for Organic Urban land Care) for nearly a decade. Currently she runs The Organic Gardener's Pantry, retailing fine organic fertilizers, soil amendments, and beneficial microbes across Canada.

Build Your Own Hoop House Workshop
2018-03-17 09:00 - 12:00
with Mark Mackenzie-Moore

Build Your Own Hoop House Workshop
Saturday - March 17 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

This workshop can be taken on it's own or in combination with our Hoop House Irrigation Workshop the same day.
Looking for a simple, low cost way to increase your garden yield in the shoulder seasons? Join Mark Mackenzie-Moore for a workshop on building your own hoop house. During this workshop, we will discuss different methods and material for hoop house construction -- from smaller open ended systems to medium 8 x 12 structures. We will then put our knowledge into practice by building a hoop house at HCP. Please bring a waterproof jacket (in case it rains), notebook, and pencil. No experience necessary.
Hoop House Irrigation Workshop
Saturday - March 17 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Attending our Build Your Own Hoop House workshop or already have a hoop house? Wondering where and how to start irrigating your veggies? Join Mark Mackenzie-Moore for a workshop on micro irrigation techniques and design for your hoop house. We will learn the basics of drip/micro irrigation, followed by hands on practice installing micro/drip irrigation in HCP's newly built hoop house. Please bring a waterproof jacket, notebook, and pencil. No prior experience necessary.

Build Your Own Hoop House Workshop - $45 (HCP Members & Non Members)
Hoop House Irrigation Workshop - - $45 (HCP Members & Non Members)
Discounted Rate for Both Workshops - $70 (HCP Members & Non Members)
To register, call 250 479 6162

Making Your Own Bird House
2018-03-17 10:00 - 23:30
Our gardens depend on birds to thrive so let's look at what birds need for nesting and create a safe place for them to raise their young. We will be using wood, hammers and nails to assemble our pre-cut kits. We need big hands along to help handle the tools safely, so parent participation is required.
Ages: 5 + years
Fee: $20/child

Starting Vegetables with Seed
2018-03-17 13:00 - 14:30
Learn about seeds, how they grow and what they need to become healthy thriving plants. We will be planting up trays of seeds for the JMG gardens as well as take home, so bring along your garden gloves. Don't forget about planning for our native pollinators too! They need flowers to keep them happy and we will include flowers along with our vegetable and herb seeds. Parent participation with children under 6 years of age.
Ages: 4 + years
Fee: $15/child
