Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

Permaculture Basics
2016-10-29 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver) | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with The Compost Education Centre

The Compost Education Centre has been teaching children and adults how to compost and grow their own food for over 20 years. They will be offering some of their great workshops at the HCP this summer. Permaculture is a sustainable design theory modeled on natural ecosystems. This workshop touches on permaculture history, ethics and principles, and scale-able ways to apply the theory to your garden and home.
HCP Members $18
Non-Members $25
To register, call 250 479 6162.

Bean Pot Basket Workshop
2016-10-29 09:30 - 16:30
with Joan Carrigan
Learn the traditional art of basket weaving with Joan Carrigan. Joan is a skilled basketweaver and teaches both locally and in Europe. Participants will create this attractive bean pot basket with swing handle. It is a traditional splint woven basket with a twined base. This basket has an old world feel but it's rounded shape and size is classic and perfect for everyday storing and displaying. Basket weaving classes a creative and social experience with participants enjoy each others company while learning this beautiful art form.
HCP Members $115
Non-Members $135
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Bio: 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.

Growing Medicinal Mushrooms Workshop
2016-10-26 18:00 - 20:30
with Danielle Stevenson
Learn about medicinal mushrooms, and how to grow them with Danielle of D.I.Y. Fungi. This workshop will offer an introduction to the amazing world of medicinal mushrooms, and how to grow your own. We'll explore the nutritional and medicinal properties of Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms, and how to prepare them in cooking, teas, broths, capsules and tinctures.
HCP Members $50
Non-Members $60
To register, call 250 479 6162.

Herbs to Beat the Winter Blues Workshop
2016-10-23 13:00 - 15:30
with Lily Fawn
Learn the gentle approach to care for yourself and reduce stress with Lily Fawn, owner and creator of Earth's Herbal Products. As we transition from the warm to the cold seasons, it is a good time to check in with yourself and offer up a supportive treatment for the nervous system. Learn about specific herbs, aromatherapy, different kinds of nervines “what are they” and more. Create your own tea ritual for relaxation. Make your own and take home, tinctures, oils and teas.
HCP Members $55.00
Non-Members $65.00

Instructor Bio: Lily Fawn
Herbalist, Lily Fawn, has been studying the art of blending herbs and teas since 1992. She is fun, educated and full of innovative ideas. The success of her recipes spread among the local community until she was encouraged to create a line of products to be available in stores. Lily started her own company called Earth's Herbal Products Inc, an ever-growing line of fresh plant apothecary and herbal teas that are healthy, natural, medicinal, self-stable and tasty. Lily values community, organic farming, wildcrafting, folklore, holistic health and sharing her knowledge via educational events like tea parties and workshops.

Mushroom Companions to the Garden and Farm
2016-10-16 09:00 - 12:00
with Danielle Stevenson
Learn about mushrooms with Danielle of D.I.Y. Fungi. Highlights edible and medicinal mushrooms which can be grown in spaces you can't otherwise grow in, or can be companion planted in your gardens and orchards to boost plant growth and build healthy soil ecosystems. We'll walk through how to make a mushroom bed, mushroom pathways, logs, and companion plant within your veggie beds, and discuss the important role of mycorhizal fungi in the garden and orchard.
HCP Members $35
Non-Members $45
To register, call 250 479 6162.

Composting Basics
2016-10-15 13:00 - 14:30
with The Compost Education Centre
The Compost Education Centre has been teaching children and adults how to compost and grow their own food for over 20 years. They will be offering some of their great workshops at the HCP this summer. In this workshop participants will learn the basics of composting and discover which composting system will be best suited to them.
HCP Members $15
Non-Members $20
To register, call 250 479 6162.

Wonder of Watercolour
2016-10-08 13:00 - 15:00
Explore fall through the wonderful world of watercolours using garden inspiration with washes and dry brush techniques! Through dynamic demonstrations participants will learn a variety of water colour techniques they can then apply as they work to create their own garden inspired work to take home. Fun for all levels of experience, all materials provided.
Date: October 8
Time: 1-3 pm
Cost: $35
Ages: 8-12 years
For registration, please call the HCP office at 250-479-6162.

Fall Plant Sale
2016-10-01 09:00 - 16:00
Everything reduced by 25% or more
Victoria Master Gardeners on-site to answer your questions
Great selection propagated from unique plants from the HCP Gardens

Advanced Soils for the Home Gardener
2016-09-25 10:00 - 13:00
with Christina Nikolic
Moving past the basics, instructor Christina Nikolic from the Organic Gardener's Pantry will provide participants with additional tools for determining soil health. Get a step by step understanding on how to manage your soil holistically. Learn about soil tests and when they can be beneficial. Balanced soil nutrition including fertilizer choices, biostimulants and microbial inoculants will be covered in this workshop. Learn about weeds, pest and diseases and how they can be indicators of soil health. Participants will leave with a good understanding of soil management for their own home garden.
Note that there is a prerequisite for this workshop. Participants must have taken the Soil Basics for Home Gardeners workshop on June 5th.
HCP Members $30
Non-Members $35
To register, call 250 479 6162
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.

Grow your own Oyster Mushrooms Workshop
2016-09-24 13:00 - 16:00
with Danielle Stevenson
This workshop will offer an introduction to the amazing world of mushrooms and cover what you need to know to grow your own mushrooms at home. We'll each inoculate a gallon bucket of oyster mushrooms to take home. Learning to grow mushrooms is a great way to grow your own food and medicine! Oyster mushrooms are a good source of protein, B vitamins, Vitamin D, iron and minerals, and have been shown to lower cholesterol and inhibit cancers.
Instructor, Danielle Stevenson is a fungi enthusiast with 4 years of mushroom cultivation experience and a owner of D.I.Y. Fungi.
HCP Members $45.00
Non-Members $50.00
To register, call 250 479 6162.

Small Trees for the Urban Garden Workshop
2016-09-18 13:00 - 16:00
with Diane Pierce
Learn to select trees that will compliment your garden and not outgrow their space which can be inconvenient and costly to correct. This workshop will be a guided walk through the Gardens at HCP with Diane Pierce, college instructor and plant expert. Diane will point out introduced and native trees which are well suited to the urban garden and which add colour and contrast. After the walk, participants will spend time in the classroom learning specifics about small trees which they can apply to their own garden plans.
HCP Members $25.00
Non-Members $35.00
To register, call 250 479 6162

Hydrangea Day
2016-09-18 11:00 - 15:00
Hydrangea Day - Lecture and Hydrangea Sale
Free lecture and slideshow at 11am:
Carmen Varcoe: Growing Hydrangeas in the Pacific Northwest
Sale starts after the lecture at 12pm.
Several varieties of Hydrangea macrophylla, H. paniculata, H. serrata, H. quercifolia
Sizes: 1 and 2 gallon

Victoria Foundation Free Admission Day
2016-09-17 09:00 - 17:00
Thank you to the Victoria Foundation for Sponsoring a Free Admission Day on Saturday, September 17th from 9 AM - 5 PM.

Brian Minter - New Trends and the Changing Nature of Gardening
2016-09-15 18:30 - 20:00
The Gardens at HCP is pleased to present a talk by world-renowned gardener Brian Minter on Thursday, September 15th at 6:30 PM followed by a meet and greet. Plants from Brian Minter's 'Minter Country Gardens' will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6 PM.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, over the phone 250-479-6162 or in the office at the Gardens at HCP.
Members $18
Non-Members $21

Soil Basics for the Home Gardener Workshop
2016-09-11 10:00 - 13:00
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
To register, call 250 479 6162

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.

JMG Kids Garden Club
2016-09-10 10:00 - 12:00
Learn lots of hands on gardening and other nature activities while having a tonne of fun in this once a month all ages club!
Dates: September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10
Time: 10 am – 12 pm
Cost: $10 for 1 session, or $35 for 4 sessions
Ages: all ages, children under 5 years accompanied by an adult please!
For registration, please call the HCP office at 250-479-6162.

By Donation Day
2016-09-05 09:00 - 17:00
Admission by donation 9 am - 5 pm on Monday September 5th.

August Picnic Night
2016-08-31 17:00 - 20:00
The Gardens at HCP is extending our hours the last Wednesday of the month May – August so families and friends can come down for a lovely picnic on our grounds.
Live music on August 31: Brad Prevedoros, 6-8pm http://www.manzanitaproductions.com/

Back to Reality - Guided Meditation
2016-08-27 09:00 - 22:00
As you leave summer and head back to school, work and general busyness take a moment, come into the Gardens and re-group. Listening to the water, birds and breeze the sessions are guided by Angela Strank. Sessions are 45 - 60 minutes long. Admission into the Gardens is included in your fee so please plan to take time to explore after.
$20 for members, $18 for non-members
Space is limited, please secure your spot by calling the office at 250-479-6162 or e-mailing events@hcp.ca. Drop-ins are welcome, dependant on availability.

Pesticide Applicator Exam
2016-08-25 09:00 - 12:15
Pesticide Applicator Exam (Landscape General Category): Thursday, August 25, 9am-12:15pm

For those who have completed the BC Pesticide Applicator's License Course, or who are just required to take the exam.
Cost if you sign up for the exam only: $110

To sign up please contact College Administration at (250) 479-3210, or via email form:

Tea Time!
2016-08-19 10:00 - 12:00
An introduction to the ancient art of making tea for children, including plant identification, growing, harvesting, and preparing flowers, leaves, and herbs to brew. Participants will host their own tea party to explore the various tastes and scents of herbal tea making. Then we will finish by packaging up our own sample tea brews to take home.
Cost: $15/child
Ages: 5+ years
For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and participate.

Pesticide Applicator Course
2016-08-15 09:00 - 16:00
Landscape General Category
The course is two full days, plus half a day for the exam:
Course: Monday, August 15, and Monday, August 22, 9am – 4:00pm
Exam: Thursday, August 25, 9am-12:15pm
Cost is $400, which includes the textbooks and the exam fee. Note that you can sign up to write the exam only for a cost of $110.
To sign up please contact College Administration at (250) 479-3210, or via email form:

Flower Arranging for your Special Event
2016-08-14 10:00 - 12:00
Large Arrangements

Come and join us for a creative floral experience. Participants will have the opportunity to design and create their own natural arrangements under the expert guidance and instruction of Eiddwen Thomas, local floral designer and flower farmer. This course will feature locally grown flowers, foliage, grasses and ornamentals as much as possible.

This workshop is ideal for those wanting to do their own floral arrangements for weddings or special events. It is a great opportunity to exchange ideas with others who are wanting to do the same. All materials are included in the class fee.

Large arrangements - August 14th, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Members $110
Non-Members $125

To sign up call 250 479 6162 or email communityed@hcp.ca for more information.

Arts & Music In The Gardens
2016-08-06 11:00 - 16:00
August 6 & 7, 2016, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm both days
Admission

You can purchase your tickets at the Gardens:

$12 adults

$9 seniors/students

FREE under 16

Admission is FREE for HCP members

The admission fee gives you multiple entry for BOTH days of the event!

This major fundraiser for the HCP has become one of Victoria's finest art events. Held in our beautiful gardens (which are spectacular at the moment), some artists and musicians say there are few events in Victoria that compare with Arts & Music in the Gardens.
As you wander through the gardens and view the art, you will never be far from music as some of Victoria's finest musicians entertain throughout the gardens each day. These musicians have all volunteered their time and talents to the future of your HCP, so come out to support and thank them.
This fundraising event shows the HCP at its best and is an essential fundraiser to maintain the ongoing work in the gardens. It also furthers the HCP's valuable contribution to the Victoria community. Come and have some fun! It's free for HCP members! Bring a friend and you will be investing in the future of the HCP.
Accessible parking is available on-site and a free shuttle will leave regularly from Vancouver Island Tech park for an easy parking experience. Please note that although your furry friends are allowed in the gardens they are unable to travel on the shuttle bus. Please make parking arrangements accordingly.

Pebble Art Workshop
2016-08-05 10:00 - 12:00
A creative exploration of ecosystems through art. Kids will identify the key parts of a local system, then design a story board using pebbles and paints. These skills can be used to explore other aspects of nature and provide a fun take home activity to share.
Cost: $15/child
Ages: 5+ years
For registration, please contact the HCP office at 250-479-6162. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and participate.

July Picnic Night
2016-07-27 17:00 - 20:00
The Gardens at HCP is extending our hours the last Wednesday of the month May – August so families and friends can come down for a lovely picnic on our grounds.

Live music on July 27: R&R - Randall Cook & Ray Spencer, 6-8pm www.reverbnation.com/rnr2

Nutritifying your Larder Workshop
2016-07-16 10:00 - 13:00
with Rhona McAdam
Learn which varieties are the most nutritious, and how best to prepare and store them for optimum nutrition with Rhona McAdam, local author, poet and holistic nutritionist. Rhona has a Permaculture Design Certificate, a Master's degree in Food Culture & Communication and is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist.
Over thousands of years of agriculture, we have sought to make our food crops more delicious and productive to grow, but our knowledge of agriculture has outstripped our awareness of food's nutritional content and medicinal values.
Nowadays, as chronic food-related ailments increase in tandem with consumption of highly processed, artificially flavoured and nutritionally bankrupt foods, it's time to step back and salvage something from our fruits and vegetables. This class will be of interest to both home gardeners and to non-gardening consumers.
HCP Members $40.00
Non-Members $45.00
To register, call 250 479 6162.

Instructor Bio: Rhona McAdam
Rhona McAdam is a food writer, poet and holistic nutritionist. She has a Permaculture Design Certificate, a Master's degree in Food Culture & Communication (from Slow Food's University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy) and is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Her business, Go Local Nutrition, is based at Haliburton Community Organic Farm in Victoria, and she teaches Eco-Nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition in Nanaimo. She's published numerous collections of food (and other) poetry, written for Small Farm Canada and Alive magazines, and her first nonfiction book, Digging the City: An Urban Agriculture Manifesto, has been garnering praise from urban and rural readers since it first appeared in 2012.
"You don't need to be a “Guerrilla Gardener” to enjoy reading Digging the City. The book is appealing for its personal narrative, informative analysis, and for its contribution to the growing literature on the sustainable food movement that seeks to change the way we eat." - Coastal Spectator

Fairy Garden Workshop
2016-07-08 10:00 - 12:00
FAIRY GARDEN WORKSHOP begins with an enchanted walk through the Gardens at HCP. Participants will collect natural materials on the walk to use towards the creation of their own take home Fairy Garden. They will have a chance to explore a variety of materials such as clay, moss, and twigs. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and participat
Date: Friday, July 8 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon Cost: $15/person Ages: 5+ years

Nature around us
2016-07-05 11:00 - 11:45
A Walk & Talk session for children 5+ geared to the exploration of Native Plants, Beneficials, and Sustainability. Participants will tour a few of the gardens at HCP as they discover more about the natural world around them.
Please reserve your spot by calling the HCP office at 250-479-6162. Free for children - children must be accompanied by an adult who has paid garden admission.

Stories in the Shade
2016-07-05 10:00 - 10:45
A bi-weekly story time designed around a theme that explores subjects such as gardens, bugs, and nature through stories and a related craft. This program is designed for the younger ages (2+), although older children are welcome to attend with their younger siblings.
Please reserve your spot by calling the HCP office at 250-479-6162. Free for children - children must be accompanied by an adult who has paid garden admission.
