Gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for plants and nature with a variety of classes covering topics such as rain barrels, seed collecting, foraging, beekeeping, citizen science, and more. Or learn how to beautify your own home garden using organic and sustainable methods – just like 577! Monthly classes on topics such as how to grow a garden, planting for pollinators, tree care, permaculture, and more are taught by passionate community instructors, local partners, and 577 horticulture staff. Class topics vary each month and are taught in the Geodesic Dome, Virginia’s House, Cottage, and around the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577.
Upcoming Classes
Mushroom Cultivation for Beginners
Wednesday, August 14 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Learn three ways to grow mushrooms at home: in beds of compost/organic materials, with logs, and on straw in bags or 5-gallon buckets. First we’ll take a look at 577’s mushroom beds and shiitake logs–some logs were inoculated 1.5 years ago and others just this Spring. We’ll finish with everyone “stuffing” their own 4 foot by 1.5 foot oyster mushroom straw bag to take home and incubate.
*Please note: Participants will need to bring a storage bin to transport their oyster bag home because the bag may leak a bit in transit. At home, students will put their straw bag in a 65-70 degree dark place for 2-3 weeks. This dark space can also be created by using a clean black trash or other tote with a lid. If incubation was successful, oyster bags should start fruiting around 1 month after the date of the class.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Rain Barrel Make It & Take It Workshop
Four Session Times Available:
Tuesday, August 20 ~ 4pm to 4:30pm
Tuesday, August 20 ~ 5pm to 5:30pm
Tuesday, August 20 ~ 6pm to 6:30pm
Tuesday, August 20 ~ 7pm to 7:30pm
Harvesting rainwater improves water quality, helps reduce flooding, and collects free water. In this outdoor workshop, participants will learn about the benefits of rain barrels and will be guided step by step to make their own rain barrel to take home.
All supplies and materials will be provided. Please bring a vehicle large enough to transport a 55-gallon drum rain barrel home. Waitlists are available for all sessions.
577 Community Instructors: Lauren Rush, stormwater program manager for the City of Perrysburg, and members from the Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative
Seed Saving in Your Vegetable Garden
Tuesday, September 17 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Discover tips and tricks to saving seeds from your own garden, as each vegetable tends to be a little bit different. Join 577 Horticulturist Samantha for a walk around the grounds to harvest seeds from some common vegetables and flowers.
Learn about which vegetables cross-pollinate, and how to process each seed for storage. Vegetable seed profiles may include tomatoes, peppers, onion, potato, zucchini, winter squashes, beans, and/or flint corn, depending on various harvests. Participants will receive handouts describing each common vegetable’s seed-saving process to experiment in their own garden. Everyone will also receive a few packets of 577-grown and harvested flower seeds.
In the event of inclement weather, the class rain date is Wednesday, September 18, 6pm to 7:30pm.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Honeybees 101
Saturday, September 28 ~ 10am to 11:30am
Explore the amazing world of honeybees in this introductory class. 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, you 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, and see what a year of natural beekeeping looks like. Leave inspired and ready to support bees in big and small ways.
This class is the pre-requisite class needed for the Beekeeping 101 class 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.