Horticulture Centre of the Pacific

Eat Your Weeds (Wild Edible Herb Walk & Lunch)
2018-05-06 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Horticulture Centre Of The Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd., Victoria, BC, V9E 2J7, Canada
with Lily Fawn
Join Herbalist and teacher, Lily Fawn for a medicinal herb walk and wild edible adventure in the Gardens at HCP. Wild plants are a nutritious tasty way to increase your health and reduce your grocery bill. This class will teach you about edible, medicinal weeds that grow all around us. You will learn how to identify, harvest and several different ways to prepare them into meals. Take home recipes and enjoy a wild edible lunch prepared during class. ​
An Introduction to edible and medicinal herbs found at the HCP gardens
Ethics of Wildcrafting / Harvesting– Basics
Plant Identification and Herbal Harvest
Wild edibles lunch
HCP Members $50
Non Members $55
To register, call 250 479 6162
You may also enjoy Lily Fawn's Herbal Medicine Making Workshop in June.
Instructor Biography: Lily Fawn
Herbalist, Lily Fawn, has been studying the art of blending herbs and teas since 1992. She is fun, knowledgeable 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.

Kombucha Workshop
2018-05-05 09:00 - 12:00
With Kristy & Mark Mackenzie-Moore
Is there an inner brewmaster hiding in you? This half day course in the art of kombucha tea will instruct you on the proper mixing ratios and techniques to brew your own kombucha. We will explore kombucha with all of our senses. You will get to sample and learn to make primary and secondary fermented kombucha. By the end of the workshop you will be sent home with everything you need for your very own personal kombucha brewing. Please bring a 1 litre glass canning jar with lid and a small notebook and pencil.
HCP Members $25
Non Members $30
To register, call 250 479 6162

Healthy Soils Workshop Series: Compost Tea for the Garden Workshop
2018-04-29 10:00 - 12:00
with Christina Nikolic
This class can be taken on its own or as part of our Healthy Soils Series. First, what is compost tea, and why is everyone raving about it? Compost tea is the controlled extraction of microorganisms and nutrients from a small amount of high-quality compost and additional nutrient sources into water. The tea can be sprayed on the soil and plants in order to inoculate the landscape with these beneficial microorganisms. Learn about the benefits of compost tea and how to brew it with Christina Nikolic from the Organic Gardeners Pantry. Each participant will take home some compost tea to use 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.

Hypertufa Planters II
2018-04-28 13:00 - 14:30
Hypertufa Planters 1
Come ready to get dirty and design a planter made from concrete and other natural materials. Hypertufa creates a very light weight and strong medium that is weather proof. We will discuss features needed in a planter and how to achieve them. These planters will need time to dry and part 2 will be held on Saturday, April 28 to complete this project. Bring along work gloves if you like. All materials are provided. Parent participation is required.
Date: Saturday, Apr 14, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ages: 7 + years
Fee: $15/child
Hypertufa Planters 2
The planters will now be dry and ready for us to add texture, prepare and plant into them. We will be using seasonal annuals and herbs for this project. It will be suited for your garden or gift giving (for Mother's Day????). Parent participation is required.
Date: Saturday, Apr 28, 2018
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Ages: 7 + years
Fee: $15/child

Twining with Soft Materials
2018-04-28 09:30 - 16:30
with Joan Carrigan
Soft materials such as rush, sedge and flower leaves offer the basket maker a beautiful material for fine twining. We will be weaving a small bowl-shaped basket with a radiating spoke base, variations of twining for the sides and lovely twined border. We have plenty of access to these basket materials found either in our gardens or local ditches and ponds.
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, April 29.
HCP Members $120
Non Members $140
To register, call 250 479 6162
Instructor Biogaphy: 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.

Spring Plant Sale
2018-04-21 09:00 - 16:00
Saturday April 21 & Sunday, April 22 from 9 am – 4 pm each day. Many unique plants are propagated from the gardens.
Here is the the list of available plants, click to download: HCP Spring Plant Sale 2018
Admissions into the Gardens is free on plant sale day 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.

Earth Day - Biodiversity Fair
2018-04-19 09:30 - 14:30
Earth Day is a time to get outdoors and see your community. Find out what amazing things are happening to inspire us to be good stewards of our planet!! The Gardens at HCP is hosting a day filled with demonstrations, activities and walks showcasing the importance of biodiversity to ensure natural sustainability for all life forms. We hope you can join us, be inspired and make a difference!! Admission by donation. This event is suitable for schools and the public.

Hypertufa Planters I
2018-04-14 13:00 - 14:30

Advanced Pruning Workshop
2018-04-08 09:00 - 12:00
with Ryan Senechal
If you are a hands-on gardener hesitant to prune small trees and shrubs for fear of injuring or undesirably altering the appearance, this course with certified arborist Ryan Senechal is designed to give you the skill you need. In 2 sessions, basic pruning techniques will be reviewed and applied to advanced pruning strategies to encourage desirable structure, reduced maintenance & long term plant health. Your confidence and comfort will grow as you observe and practice field examples of pruning successes and common mistakes. This course will be outside, please dress accordingly and bring your secateurs. All other equipment will be supplied. Class size will be limited to ensure individual instruction.
HCP Members $90
Non-Members $110
2 Sessions:
Sundays, April 8 & 15 @ 9:00 pm - 12:00 pm
To register, call 250 479 6162

Healthy Soils Workshop Series: Effective Microbes for the Garden
2018-04-07 13:00 - 15:00
With Christina Nikolic
This class can be taken on its own or as part of our Healthy Soils Series. Using probiotics in the garden? If you already like the concept of compost tea, you will love learning about Effective Microorganisms (EM). These cultures have similar health benefits in the garden as yogurt has in the gut. Explore how to make and use a fascinating microbial inoculant. Participants should bring a clean empty 1-liter plastic bottle with lid to take away a sample of their own.
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.

Native Plants & Their Uses
2018-04-07 13:00 - 14:30
Have you ever considered what role our Native Plants have had in forests, meadows and streams? Let's take a walk and talk through the Native Plants Garden and learn to recognize some of the many plants that were used by First Peoples and discuss their many uses.
Ages: 5 + years
Fee: $15/child

The Art of Bonsai - Design and Care Workshop
2018-04-07 09:00 - 12:00
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

Easter Monday - Admission by Donation
2018-04-02 09:00 - 17:00
Admission by donation - 9am - 5pm on Easter Monday.

Easter At The Gardens
2018-04-01 10:00 - 14:00
Spend Easter at The Gardens. Admission by donation with family activities for all to enjoy. Come and meet the hens from Rent The Chicken and don't miss the free talk on Keeping Backyard Hens at 1pm with Kate from Rent The Chicken. For more information on Rent The Chicken visit their website.

JMG Spring Break Camps
2018-03-26 09:00 - 2018-03-29 16:00, 2018-03-19 09:00 - 2018-03-23 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.
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)
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**
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)

Willow Chair Workshop
2018-03-25 09:00 - 17:00
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

The Nature of the Native Plant Garden Workshop
2018-03-24 09:00 - 12:00
with Kristen Miskelly
Native plants in home gardens are not only beautiful, but also a way to help maintain local biodiversity, promote positive human connections, and foster an appreciation of nature. Participants will learn about Victoria's local ecology, including its abundance of unique plant species well-suited to home gardens, and the wildlife that depend on them. Edible, deer resistant, and drought tolerant species will be highlighted.
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, March 25.
Members $45
Non-Members $60
To register, call 250 479 6162

Hoop House Irrigation Workshop
2018-03-17 13:00 - 16:00
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

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

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

Build Your Own Hoop House Workshop
2018-03-17 09:00 - 12:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.
