The Backyard Orchard Workshop
2019-03-02 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

JMG Spring Break Camp
2019-03-18 09:00 - 2019-03-22 16:00, 2019-03-25 09:00 - 2019-03-29 16:00 | 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)

Pesticide Applicator Course
2019-03-20 08:30 - 16:00, 2019-03-27 08:30 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: March 20 and 27, 2019
Exam: March 29, 2019
Course:Wednesdays, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Exam: Friday 1:00 - 4:00pm
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.

Willow Hoop Rib Basket Workshop
2019-03-24 09:30 - 16:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Joan Carrigan
This is a variation of an oval rib basket which has 2 built-in side handles often called a potato basket. We will be using willow for the hoop and a combination of dyed reed and seagrass for the weaving. This is a lovely storage and display basket perfect for the kitchen or holding craft supplies. Our basketry workshops are popular. Should the class be sold out when you call, please put your name on the waiting list as we may run a second class with enough interest.
Tools to Bring: sturdy scissors (like kitchen scissors), an old towel, spray bottle.

HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162

Advanced Pruning Workshop
2019-03-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Ryan Senechal
Are you a hands-on gardener hesitant to prune small trees and shrubs in fear of injuring or undesirably altering them? This course with certified arborist Ryan Senechal will give you the skills you need to successfully prune your garden. In 2 sessions, basic pruning techniques and advanced strategies will be reviewed and applied to teach you how to achieve desirable structure, reduced maintenance & long term plant health in your garden. Your confidence and comfort will grow as you observe, learn, and practice proper pruning techniques and common mistakes to avoid. This is an outdoor workshop, please dress accordingly and bring your secateurs, all other equipment will be supplied.
Sundays, March 24 & 31 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
HCP Members $90
Non-Members $110
To register, call 250 479 6162

Pesticide Applicator Exam
2019-03-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Pesticide Applicator's Certificate Course (Landscape General Category):
Course: March 20 and 27, 2019
Exam: March 29, 2019
Course: Wednesdays, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Exam: Friday 1:00 - 4:00pm
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.

Cannabis Basics for the Home Grower
2019-03-30 13:00 - 16:00, 2019-04-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2019-05-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Jo Wyld
Learn the basics of growing Cannabis for personal use with 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

Fairy Garden Youth Workshop
2019-04-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Fairy Gardens
We will begin with an enchanted walk through the Gardens gathering natural materials and inspiration to create your own take home Fairy Garden. There will have a chance to explore a variety of materials such as clay, moss, and twigs. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and participate and required to stay with children under 6 years.
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Ages: 5+ years
Cost: $15

The Art of Bonsai - Design and Care Workshop
2019-04-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Mark Paterson
Come learn the art of bonsai with Mark Paterson, President of the Vancouver Island Bonsai Society in the first of a three part series. Each part can be taken on its own or as part of the series.
In Part one, Mark will teach you how to apply bonsai techniques to a 1 gallon sized plant which you get to take home with you. You will learn bonsai history, design and care. The class will also cover how to choose potential bonsai stock and how to use plant training to increase aesthetic value and monetary value to your new plant.
Part Two, May 26 will cover Root Cutting.
Part Three, September 29 will cover later season and Winter care.
HCP Members $140/ Series or $60/Part 1
Non Members $160/ Series or $70/Part 1
To register, call 250 479 6162

Willow Bark Triple Wall Basket Workshop
2019-04-07 09:30 - 16:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Joan Carrigan
Willow bark is a lovely material for plaiting and twining baskets. This construction method which produces a triple layer of material creates a beautiful basket and offers interesting design possibilities. It is sure to be treasured. Our basketry workshops are popular. Should the class be sold out when you call, please put your name on the waiting list as we may run a second class with enough interest.
Tools to Bring: Scissors, ruler, an old towel, spray bottle.

HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162

Professional Development Day Camp
2019-04-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Junior Master Gardener Camp (JMG)
Have you ever picnicked with a frog? Watched a pair of mallard ducks float quietly down the stream while feeding? Snacked on a fairy garden ground cover? These and more experiences await you in our gardens during Pro D Day Camps this spring. Over the past weeks we have seen natures influence of the gardens in these and many other ways. Join me for a day of gardening, exploration, garden crafts and more in The Gardens at HCP.
JMG PRO – D DAY CAMPS
Dates: Friday, April 12 & Friday, May 10, 2019
Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $38/child
Ages: 5.5 years (school age) – 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)

Willow Chair Workshop
2019-04-14 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

Earth Day in the Gardens
2019-04-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
What better place to celebrate the planet we call home than in a garden?
Meet and interact with earth-minded community groups, nonprofit organizations, green businesses and more at this, "enviro expo for all things eco!" Admission is free and includes access to our nine acres of demonstration gardens to inspire you, as well as interactive children's activities to engage the next generation of environmental stewards.
In addition to meeting and interacting with organizations at their booths, we'll have some extra fun elements!
- Interact with live critters from the Victoria Bug Zoo and feathered friends from Rent The Chicken!
- Get answers to all your plant and gardening questions from the Victoria Master Gardener Association!
- Hourly door prize draws from Butterfly Gardens, Nezza Naturals, Zero Waste Emporium, Whole Foods, and more!
11:00am Presentation: “Creating Frog-Friendly Spaces in your Backyard or Garden”
Did you know Saanich is home to 8 different amphibian species? We invite you to an exciting workshop with Paige Erickson-McGee, Stewardship Coordinator with HAT to learn more about our local amphibian critters and how to create and enhance ideal habitat elements and native plants for frogs and other native wildlife such as food sources, shelter, and nutrients. There will be a 30-minute presentation in the main event space followed by a 15-minute walk in the gardens.
1:00pm Presentation: "Pollinators and the Importance of Habitat and Native Plants”
Join Jenny Lotz, Staff Ecologist and Outreach Coordinator from Pollinator Partnership on an educational walk through our Native Plants Garden and 3 Bs (Birds Bees Butterflies) Garden! You'll learn about pollinators, basic bee identification, and the importance of habitat and native plants. Please meet outside at the Pollinator Partnership booth to join this 30-minute walk 'n' talk.
Parking is complimentary but limited; please carpool or use alternative transportation if possible! If the lot is full, we ask that you respect our residential neighbours by using the overflow angle parking along Quayle Rd.
Interested in having a booth for your organization? We'd love to have you! Please email events@hcp.ca with "Earth Day" in the subject line and some information about what you'd like to showcase.
The Gardens at HCP acknowledges and thanks the W̱SÁNEĆ people (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum) on whose unceded territory we live, learn, and teach. We respect our traditional hosts and honour their welcome and graciousness to everyone who seeks knowledge here.

Spring Plant Sale
2019-04-27 09:00 - 16:00 | BC
Join us on Saturday April 27 & Sunday April 28 for our 2019 Spring Plant Sale. Browse through our selection of unique plants which are propagated from the gardens.
Admissions into the Gardens is free during the Plant Sale and Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions. All proceeds raised from the plant sale support the development of our not-for-profit teaching gardens.
Click to download the available PLANT LIST.

Willow Woven Trays
2019-05-04 09:30 - 16:30 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
With Joan Carrigan
Willow is highly valued as a basket making material. We will begin with a discussion about how to grow, harvest and prepare willow for weaving. Different types of trays will be explored including tension and rib style trays. This course offers an introduction to working with willow and your finished work is certain to become favourites center pieces for serving or displaying your fresh produce. Our basketry workshops are popular. Should the class be sold out when you call, please put your name on the waiting list as we may run a second class with enough interest.
Tools to Bring: sharp secateurs/pruners, an old towel.

HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162

Bonsai for Young Gardeners
2019-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
These precious plants have a story to tell. They have been created over many decades, originally in China and Japan. Learn about this amazing history and art form with our local Bonsai expert Mark Paterson in our beautiful Bonsai Garden at HCP. Then begin the process of creating your own bonsai to take home. Plants for bonsai are provided. Bring along your own garden gloves if you prefer (some will be available).
Date: Saturday, May 4 2019
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Cost: $30/Youth
Ages: 8 years – 16 years

Pet Portraits
2019-05-12 10:00 - 14:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Pet Portraits - Fundraiser for Albert the Cat
Pet's looking to spoil their moms with the perfect Mother's Day gift need look no further. A professional photograph of their beloved fur baby is the ideal gift for any pet mom.
Professional pet photographer Kirsten Young will be at the HCP on Sunday, May 12 between 10am - 2pm doing pet portrait sessions. The best part is that the funds raised will go to a good cause. Kirsten will be donating all proceeds toAlbert the resident HCP cat. Albert has a serious heart condition and funds raised will go towards his medication and care.
Photographs will be in a studio set up with a floral theme. The cost is $75 for a 15 minute session with Kirsten and one 8 x 10 print. Larger sizes and additional prints can be ordered afterwards.
After a glamorous photo shoot, pets and moms can take a a delightful leashed walk through the Gardens and enjoy the spring blooms. Please don't forget to stop at the front office for a treat. We always love to meet your furry family members.
To book a session with Kirsten, please visit her website for more information www.kirstenyoung.photography

Tomato Day
2019-05-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
Join us for Tomato Day and choose from a variety of organically grown tomato starts for your veggie garden. Other veggies, including edible flowers, and herbs will be available too.
Free admission to the Gardens during the sale!
