Connect with nature and deepen your appreciation for the environment through Gardening, Nature & Conservation classes at 577. From rain barrels and seed collecting to foraging, beekeeping, and citizen science, these classes offer hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world.
Learn how to create a thriving home garden using organic and sustainable methods—just like 577! Monthly classes cover topics such as growing a garden, planting for pollinators, tree care, and permaculture, all taught by passionate community instructors, local partners, and 577 horticulture staff.
With topics changing each month, classes take place in the Geodesic Dome, Virginia’s House, the Cottage, and throughout 577’s beautiful gardens and grounds, where learning is inspired by the landscape itself.
Upcoming Classes
March classes open for registration on Wednesday, January 28 at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
Coiled Gourd Bowl with Lemongrass
Friday, January 30 ~ 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Learn a simple coiling method to create a beautiful woven bowl. Everyone will start with a cured gourd base with pre-drilled holes in the rim. Using waxed linen thread and lemongrass leaves grown on the 577 grounds, we’ll learn how to create the woven sides of the bowl and complete our beautifully natural and handmade projects.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Creating a Tabletop Terrarium
Saturday, January 31 ~ 1pm to 3pm
Tuesday, February 3 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Tuesday, February 17 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Make your very own “forest in a bottle,” a charming terrarium that will be soothing to look at and calming to create. Participants will learn how to best set up a glass container for their chosen plants and enjoy personalizing it for their taste. The proper materials, placement, and plant selection will all be covered to ensure a successful and sustainable growing environment. Come prepared to get your hands a little dirty and leave with an oasis in a jar to help chase away the winter blues.
Class Note: Glass containers will vary in style and size, and will hold approximately one to two gallons. Participants are welcome to bring their own clear glass container from home, so long as it’s in the same size range.
577 Staff Instructor: Bennett O. Dowling
Woven Iris & Gladiolus Vase
Friday, February 6 ~ 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Saturday, February 7 ~ 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Learn a basic twining technique to weave yellow flag iris leaves and gladiolus leaves into a woven vase. Mason jars will be provided to assist in weaving and will be taken home to use inside your vase. This technique of weaving with long leaves creates a soft texture with a nice variation in colors throughout the work.
Most participants will finish their vases during this 4-hour class, and those who don’t will leave with the knowledge and enough materials to complete their project at home. Finished vases will measure approximately 6 inches high by 4 inches wide.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
All About Herbs: From Seed to Harvest
Tuesday, February 10 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Learn about a variety of herbs, their many uses, and how they can be grown easily—no matter how much space you have at home. We’ll give your garden a jump start with hands-on planting as you sow your own herb from seed.
Participants will also learn how to propagate herbs from cuttings, plan the layout of an herb garden, and gain practical tips and tricks for harvesting and storing dried herbs. Everyone will take home seeds, one herb seedling, and an informational handout to reference at home.
Community Instructor: Cara Morrow
Winter Seed Starting
Tuesday, February 16 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Winter sowing is a unique planting method that involves starting seeds outdoors during the winter months, rather than in a greenhouse or indoors. Using simple, recycled containers, seeds naturally germinate when conditions are right, and are already acclimated to your local climate.
This method is known for a high germination success rate, often over 90%. Each participant will prepare and take home three containers, along with seeds, potting soil, a trowel, detailed instructions, and labels for easy identification.
Class note: Gardening gloves are optional, but feel free to bring your own if desired.
Community Instructor: Sherry Kertesz
Ivy Round Weave Wall Hanging
Wednesday, February 18 ~ 6pm to 8:30pm
Create a unique wall-hanging on a hoop made from wild materials. Participants will choose from a selection of pre-dried English ivy hoops, sustainably harvested from the 577 grounds, before learning how to “warp” their circular hoop in preparation to weave. A variety of yarns, felting wool scraps, fabric strips, and feathers will be available for use.
Most participants will finish their wall hanging during class; those who don’t will leave with the knowledge and enough materials to complete their project at home. Ivy hoops measure approximately 10-12 inches in diameter.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Chicken Keeping 101
Thursday, February 19 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Tuesday, March 3 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Raising chickens is easier than you think—and more rewarding than you can imagine! In this introductory class, you’ll explore everything you need to know to get started, from preparing to raise your own chicks to collecting your first eggs—and all the steps in between.
Like growing any type of food, raising chickens is both rewarding and hard work. We’ll cover all the essentials to set you up for success, including hatching eggs, purchasing chicks, building coops, predator proofing, proper nutrition, maintaining good health, identifying diseases, and so much more.
Raising chickens is a popular first step into homesteading and farming. By the end of this class, you’ll have the confidence and knowledge to be a responsible chicken keeper, along with credible resources to reference at all stages of the process.
Community Instructor: Becca Mathews
Grapevine Gathering Basket
Saturday, February 21 ~ 10am to 3pm
Learn to make a basket using a mix of natural materials, including grapevine, wisteria, maypop vine, and red dogwood twigs harvested from the grounds at 577. This basket, known as a gathering or “egg-style” ribbed basket, begins by binding two grapevine or wisteria hoops. Participants will learn the God’s Eye method to fasten the two hoops together, add red dogwood ribs or spokes, and then weave materials like maypop vine and flat reed into the base of the basket.
Completed baskets will measure approximately 15-18 inches wide by 15-18 inches high. Grapevine and wisteria hoops will vary slightly in size. Most participants will finish their baskets during this five-hour class; those who don’t will leave with the knowledge and enough materials to complete their project at home. Participants are welcome to bring snacks.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Beekeeping 101
Saturday, February 28 ~ 10am to 1pm
Come curious and ready to dive in as you learn the fundamentals of beekeeping. In this hands-on class, you’ll discover beekeeping best practices, from essential equipment and sourcing your bees to understanding hive anatomy, setup, and much more.
Participants will also have the unique opportunity to tour the 577 property, learn why location matters for healthy hives, and help identify potential new sites for our bees. Come dressed for the weather, as part of the class will take place outdoors. You’ll leave with a solid understanding of beekeeping basics and the confidence to continue your beekeeping journey.
Prerequisite: Participants must have completed the 577 “Honeybees 101” class to register for this class.
Community Instructor: Sara Grunberg
Planning a Medicinal Garden
Saturday, February 28 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Saturday, March 7 ~ 11am to 1pm
Spring is just around the corner, and it’s time to make a plan for your garden’s growing season. Participants in this class will learn how to incorporate herbs into the mix to help support their health and maybe even keep annoying pests away.
Other topics we’ll cover include bed versus container gardening and companion planting. Everyone will take home a personalized garden plan that includes what they should grow and where to grow it.
Community Instructor: Lily Kunning
Organic Vegetable Gardening
Wednesday, March 4 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Wednesday, March 11 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Saturday, March 14 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Let’s explore the nitty gritty details of vegetable gardening! We’ll get vegetable-specific as we cover everything from planting best practices, when to harvest for peak texture and taste, end-of-season seed collecting, and more.
This class is led by Samantha Day, 577’s Organic Garden Horticulturist, who brings deep, hands-on knowledge of soil science, plant propagation, and plant care. As the lead of 577’s Community Garden program and food bank donation process, Samantha grounds her teaching in real-world growing experience and practical problem-solving.
Bring your most pressing gardening questions and learn alongside fellow gardening enthusiasts. Everyone will receive an informational handout to help guide you in your home garden.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Honeybees 101
Saturday, March 21 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Explore the fascinating and complex world of honeybees, from their behaviors to their importance in nature. Whether you are toying with the idea of beekeeping, looking for simple ways you can help our local bee population, or just love Apis mellifera, participants will gain a better understanding of these amazing and vital creatures.
Learn about the diverse and interconnected workings of a honeybee hive, explore the lifecycle and jobs of bees, see what a year of natural beekeeping looks like, and leave inspired and ready to support bees in big and small ways.
Class Note: This class is the prerequisite class needed for Beekeeping 101 classes at 577.
Community Instructor: Sara Grunberg
Class Locations & Parking Map
Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.
Photo & Video Release
Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release.