Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

JMG Spring Break Camp
2019-03-18 09:00 - 2019-03-22 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
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 youthprograms@hcp.ca

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: October 19, November 23, 2018
February 22, April 12, 2019
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $38/child
Ages: 5 ½ years – 12 years
Registration: register at HCP office (250-479-6162)

SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Dates: March 18 - 22 and March 25 – 29, 2019
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $180/5 day camp
Ages: 5 ½ years – 12 years
Registration: register at Saanich Recreation (250-475-7600)

SUMMER CAMPS (JMG and Garden Arts)
Dates: July 8 -12 (JMG full days), July 22 – 26 (Garden Arts half days),
August 6 - 9 (JMG full days), 2019
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)

Plant Hunting: Experiences of an Amateur with Ole Jonny Larsen
2019-03-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Saturday March 16th 2019
Doors at 5:30pm, Start at 6:00pm (end at 7:00pm)

The Gardens at HCP presents
Rhododendron Author Ole Jonny Larsen
"Plant Hunting: Experiences of an Amateur"

Enjoy a spring evening in the Gardens and hear Ole Jonny Larsen speak on "Planting Hunting: Experiences of an Amateur".

Tickets are regular $40 or $30 for members of the The Gardens at HCP or Victoria Rhododendron Society. HCP/VRS members will need to show their cards at the door.

This event is expected to sell out so please register in advance! Tickets can be purchased with a credit card over the phone at (250) 479-6162 or in person at The Gardens at HCP with debit, credit, cheque or cash.

Soil Basics for the Home Gardener
2019-03-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Christina Nikolic
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.
HCP Members $30/Non-Members $35

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.

Make Your Own Bird House Youth Workshop
2019-03-09 13:00 - 14:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Making Your Own Bird House
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 1 adult is required for each child.
Date: Saturday, Mar 9, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm- 2:30 pm
Ages: 6 + years
Fee: $20/child

Mason Bees 101 Workshop
2019-03-03 13:00 - 15:00 | BC
with Tom Lahey
Learn all you need to know to set up your own mason bee home. This workshop will cover all the ways we can promote pollination with the Blue Orchard Mason Bee. We will look at all the different types of bee housing, from paper tubes, cardboard tubes, routed wooden blocks, composite trays, bamboo,drilled blocks and more. We will also touch on other native bees that take over when the mason bee dies.
HCP Members $20
Non-Members $25
To register, call 250 479 6162

Hellebore Sunday
2019-03-03 12:00 - 15:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Come and join us 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.

Starting Vegetables from Seed Youth Workshop
2019-03-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Starting Vegetables from Seed
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.
Date: Saturday, Mar 02, 2019
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ages: 5 + years
Fee: $15/child

Foraging Winter Food Plants
2019-03-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed
This workshop will focus on winter food plants. Learn how to identify, and prepare native and introduced species that are edible during the winter. The health benefits of eating wild food and sustainable harvesting practices will also be highlighted. There will be a demonstration on how to prepare a locally harvested item. Weather permitting we will observe edible plants during a short walk around the garden.
HCP Members $30
Non Members $35
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed
Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed is a faculty member at Pacific Rim College of Holistic Medicine and Sustainable Living located in the unceded Coast Salish Territory of Victoria, BC She is qualified with a Master's of Science in Herbal Medicine from London, UK and a Bachelor of Science in Botany from the University of Calgary. She runs a sliding-scale herbal medicine practice, and is particularly interested in reconnecting people to nature to create well-being in individuals and communities. She regularly runs retreats, workshops and plant walks to teach people how to safely identify and use wild plants as food and medicine.

JMG Kids Garden Club
2019-03-02 09:45 - 11:45 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
*New start time*
Once a month we meet for seasonal gardening activities in our very own Junior Master Gardener 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 2019- March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, Sept 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7)
Cost: $10/2 hr session
Ages: All ages welcome! Children under 5 need to be with a supervising/participating adult

The Backyard Orchard Workshop
2019-03-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
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 2 & 9 - 9:00am - 12:00pm
To register, call 250 479 6162

Cannabis Basics for the Home Grower
2019-03-02 01:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
SOLD OUT - ADDITIONAL DATE ON MARCH 30
arn the basics of growing Cannabis for personal use with PHC college instructor, Jo Wyld. This workshop will cover cannabis species and strains, how cannabis is used, starting from seed or clone, considerations and methods for growing outdoors or indoors, common pests and disease, harvesting and relevant legislation.
HCP Members $60
Non-Members $65
To register, call 250 479 6162

Return to Summer Hours
2019-03-01 09:00 - 17:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
There will be more hours to enjoy The Gardens starting March 1st.
Summer Hours - 9:00am - 5:00pm every day (March - October)
For restaurant hours, please visit Charlotte & The Quails website - http://www.charlotteandthequail.ca/

Pruning Ornamental Plants
2019-02-25 18:30 - 21:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
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 25 & 27 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Saturday - March 2 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

Pesticide Applicator Exam
2019-02-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: February 23 and 24, 2019
Exam: February 25, 2019
Course: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Exam: Monday 6:00 - 9:00pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $400 including textbooks and exam fees; exam only is $110
Cost without books: $280*
(*The required books have recently changed and you must have the correct two books for the course. Please contact us to determine if your books are current.)
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

Pesticide Applicator Course
2019-02-24 09:00 - 16:30, 2019-02-23 09:00 - 16:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: February 23 and 24, 2019
Exam: February 25, 2019
Course: Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Exam: Monday 6:00 - 9:00pm
Location: The Gardens at HCP
Cost: $400 including textbooks and exam fees
Cost without books: $280*
(*The required books have recently changed and you must have the correct two books for the course. Please contact us to determine if your books are current.)
To sign up: Phone our office at 250-479-3210, or email collegeadmin@hcp.ca.
Full payment is required with registration.

Terrarium Gardens for Kids Workshop
2019-02-23 09:30 - 11:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Terrarium Gardens for Kids
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 up to 20 cm in size).
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2019
Time: 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Ages: 6+ years
Fee: $15/child

Pine Needle Basket Workshop
2019-02-09 09:30 - 16:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Joan Carrigan
Learn to make a pine needle coiled basket using waxed linen thread as the stitching material. We will explore different ways of starting pine needle baskets and stitches such as plain and V-stitch patterns. Each participant can design their own basket working on ways to shape and create pattern with stitches and colour threads. Joan will have extra long California pine needles for you to use but she will talk about gathering and preparing local varieties of pine needles and other natural materials suitable for this diverse basketry technique.
Tools to Bring: scissors with a sharp point (like embroidery scissors), an old tea towel or hand towel, tapestry needle size #20.
If the class has been filled, please put your name on the interest list. With enough interest, we may run an additional class.
HCP Members $120
Non-Members $140

Willow Chair Workshop
2019-02-03 09:00 - 17:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Andrew Kent
Join artisan Andrew Kent from The Willow Way for this full day workshop. In one day, with Andrew Kent's expert instruction, you can make and take home your own Bent Willow Rustic Chair. This is a great introduction to rustic building. Learn how to make a square frame from pieces of alder & work with different sizes of willow to create your chair. All tools will be provided.
HCP Members $250
Non Members $275
To register, call 250 479 6162

Plant identification & Culture Workshops
2019-01-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Diane Pierce
One Saturday a month 1pm - 4pm
2019 Dates: January 26, February 16, March 16, April 13, May 25, June 15, July 20, August 17 (field trip – please pre-register), September 14, October 26, November 16, December 7
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

By Donation Monday
2019-01-21 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
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!

Creating a Cut Flower Garden Workshop - Winter
2019-01-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Eiddwen Thomas
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. This class is part of seasonal series on Growing your own Cut Flower Garden. 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. 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.

Members $55
Non Members - $60 - per class
To register, call 250 479 6162

Saanich Seedy Saturday
2019-01-12 10:00 - 14:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Saanich Seedy Saturday is returning to The Gardens at HCP on Saturday, January 12th 2018 from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
This year, the event will showcase an abundance of local certified organic seeds along with tasty produce, children's activities, and quality vendors.
Guest Speaker Dr. Trevor Hancock, Hon FFPH will be speaking on the topic of "Feeding a One Planet Region" touching on how the District of Saanich leads the way with One Planet Living initiatives.
$8 cash admission includes entry to the Gardens at HCP. Please note that there is no ATM onsite and parking is limited; please carpool or use alternative transportation if possible!
For more information, contact Haliburton Farm at info@haliburtonfarm.org

Wreath Making for Kids
2018-12-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
WREATH MAKING for Kids
Bring along your favourite partner to make a wreath for your door this winter season. Using a frame, natural, locally sourced
plant material and your creativity, we will show you how. Bring along your friends and family for a different kind of seasonal get-together!
*A frame and assorted plant materials are provided.*
Adults are required to participate with children under 8 years of age and are asked to bring along hand pruners and gloves if you have them.
Date: Saturday, December 1, 2018
Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Cost: $20/child
Age: 5+ years

Kids Garden Club
2018-12-01 09:45 - 11:45 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
This is a special invitation for everyone who has participated in the JMG Kids Garden Club in 2018 to join us on December 1 for a season round up! We will be making decorations for the JMG Garden Plot to dress it for the winter. There will be a nature walk through the gardens to collect natural materials to create take home table arrangements, as well as seasonal treats to share.
If this is your first time, we would love to share the gardens and activities with you! Everyone is welcome to join us? Instead of a registration fee, please bring along a donation for the food bank when you come on Dec 1.. As always, please phone or visit our office to pre-register (to assist with our planning). To register, please call 250 479 6162.
Club Date: December 1, 9:45 am – 11:45 am
Ages: All ages welcome! Children under 5 need to be with a supervising/participating adult

Wreath Making Workshops - SOLD OUT
2018-11-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
SOLD OUT - Please call if you would like to go on the interest list in case of cancellations.
Learn how to create beautiful, decorative Christmas wreaths without the hassle of collecting materials and a messy clean up. Expert instructors will guide you through the basics of building a beautiful and unique wreath. No two wreathes turn out the same! The wreaths will contain an assortment of evergreens, berries, cones and bows. These wreaths will last and look great on your front door throughout the festive season! This is a great workshop for groups of friends and families. Participants should bring garden gloves and secateurs/shears to class. These workshops fill up quickly so sign up soon.
HCP Members $40
Non Members $50

Dates: November 24, 25, December 1, 2, 8, 9
Times: 10am - 12pm or 1pm - 3pm
photographs courtesy of Courtney Clarke Photography

Wreath Making Workshops - SOLD OUT
2018-11-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
SOLD OUT - Please call if you would like to go on the interest list in case of cancellations.
Learn how to create beautiful, decorative Christmas wreaths without the hassle of collecting materials and a messy clean up. Expert instructors will guide you through the basics of building a beautiful and unique wreath. No two wreaths turn out the same! The wreaths will contain an assortment of evergreens, berries, cones and bows. These wreaths will last and look great on your front door throughout the festive season! This is a great workshop for groups of friends and families. Participants should bring garden gloves and secateurs/shears to class. These workshops fill up quickly so sign up soon.
HCP Members $40
Non Members $50

Dates: November 24, 25, December 1, 2, 8, 9
Times: 10am - 12pm or 1pm - 3pm
To register, call 250 479 6162
photographs courtesy of Courtney Clarke Photography

Full-Time Level 4 Program Starts
2018-11-19 09:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Full-Time Level 4 Technical Training Program
Dates: November 19, 2018 to January 11, 2018
Days/Times: Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Cost: $1200 plus $20 application fee
Contact collegeadmin@hcp.ca or 250-479-6162 for more information

Wicker Woven Basket Workshop
2018-11-17 09:30 - 16:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Joan Carrigan
In this workshop we will explore combining two different weaving techniques to create a striking sculptural basket. First we will start with randomly weaving the base of the basket using dyed reed. This weave is inspired by bird's nests and offers many sculptural possibilities. The top of the basket will be woven with 2 and 3 strand twining and offers many design and shaping possibilities. Used together we will finish up with a unique storage basket worth of holding your attention if nothing else. Please bring a pair of sharp scissors, an old towel, and a spray bottle. We will run a second workshop on Sunday, November 18 if this date fills up, so please add your name to the interest if the class is full.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162

Herbs for Womens Health Workshop
2018-11-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Lily Fawn
Join Herbalist, Lily Fawn in an introductory class on herbal health for women of all ages. This workshop is about honoring the wild woman within in us and learning about the herbs that nourish our body. Through understanding feminine balances we gain the knowledge and initiative to heal ourselves naturally.
HCP Members $60
Non Members $70
To register, call 250 479 6162
