New take-it, make-it workshops & demonstrations at Botanical Gardens

The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens announced last year it will offer the traditional, on-site make-it, take-it programs as take-it, make-it virtual programs to be held online via Zoom. These one-night workshops include a succulent garden workshop, a terrarium workshop and a mini-garden workshop. Also brand new to the educational programs are botanical demonstrations. These low-cost, one-hour demonstrations will cover orchid repotting, spring floral arrangements and a bonsai demonstration.

As opposed to the traditional in-person, on-site workshops, participants will now be able to pick up their materials curbside at the Botanical Gardens and make their project from the comfort of their home. The venue said, “Take-it, make-it workshops are a fun way to safely bring participants together during this time of uncertainty. Reversing the make-it, take-it workshops allows for more physical space, creativity and comfort.”

The succulent garden workshop will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and April 15. Interested participants can register for either date. Participants will design a unique succulent container garden while learning more about these low-maintenance plants. Learn how succulents grow and how to propagate them while adding some creative touches to a garden. Containers, soil, plants and supplies are included. Fast, easy and safe pickup for materials will occur from 4:30-5:30 p.m. the day of class. The cost of this class is $35 for the general public or $31.50 for Botanical Gardens members.

The terrarium workshop will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 and May 20. Interested participants can register for either date. Participants will bring a bit of the Botanical Gardens indoors with this fun and popular class. They will discover how low-maintenance closed tropical terrariums are while creating a truly special environment for tropical plants to thrive. Containers, soil, plants and supplies are included. Pickup for materials will occur from 4:30-5:30 p.m. the day of class. The cost of this class is $35 for the general public or $31.50 for members.

The mini-garden workshop will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 22. This fun, interactive all-ages workshop is suitable for anyone including kids and families. This mini-garden creates the perfect hideaway for fairies, gnomes and other whimsical friends. Containers, soil, plants and some building supplies are included. Mini-garden builders are also encouraged to collect other fun items from nature they may wish to build with prior to the workshop. Sticks, bark, pinecones and acorns make excellent additions. Pickup for materials will occur from 4:30-5:30 p.m. the day of class. The cost of this workshop is $25 for the general public or $22.50 for members.

A brand-new series of botanical demonstrations has been announced and will take place online via Zoom. These demonstrations were created as a new way to learn at home from the Botanical Gardens and bring the gardening community together in a safe and beneficial way. The Botanical Gardens' knowledgeable instructors will cover a number of different botanical topics and will allow for open question, answer and discussion throughout the hour-long instruction. Instructors will also share resources and tips so participants can explore these new skills on their own. Botanical demonstrations are $10 for the general public or $9 for members.

The first botanical demonstration is titled “Orchid Repotting.” The instructor will demonstrate how to repot orchids and discusses orchid care allowing for open discussion, questions and answers. “Orchid Repotting” will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 4.

The next botanical demonstration is the spring floral arrangement. The instructor will cover some tips and tricks for working with various spring plant materials and cut florals. Participants will also learn techniques for cut flower arranging in vases or other vessels and care tips. This demonstration will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 1.

The next botanical demonstration that has been announced is the bonsai demonstration. The instructor will be working on pruning and fashioning a live bonsai tree and will discuss the techniques and styles of this unique practice. There will also be time for discussion, questions and answers. This demonstration will take place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 29.

In order to maintain the safest environment possible, each take-it, make-it workshop and botanical demonstration will be offered online via Zoom. Further details and material pickup times are available for each workshop on the Botanical Gardens’ website. Classes will fill quickly as spots are limited. Sign up online at buffalogardens.com and questions can be submitted via email to [email protected].