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
May classes open for registration on Wednesday, March 25, at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
Chicken Keeping 101
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
Planning a Medicinal Garden
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 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.
*Please Note: The Wednesday, March 4, session from 6pm to 8pm has been cancelled.
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
Collab Class: Pottery & Weaving
Two-Part Class:
Wednesday, April 1 ~ 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Wednesday, April 22 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm
*This class is open to adults 18 and over; no prior clay experience is needed.
Back by popular demand! Create a unique clay and coiled fiber vessel in this beautiful collaboration of nature and pottery, led by 577 Horticulturist Samantha Day and Pottery Manager & Ceramic Artist Julie Beutler. In the first session, Julie will guide you in creating your ceramic base using slab-building techniques. You’ll add holes around the edges for weaving, explore interesting textures to decorate your piece, and choose a gorgeous glaze color. Your base will stay with Julie for firing and glazing.
A couple of weeks later, you’ll return for your weaving session with Samantha. She’ll show you how to wax thread and a needle to coil grasses on the edge of your ceramic base, then weave upward to complete your vessel. Two days of creativity and fun — no prior clay or weaving experience needed! You’ll leave with a stunning, one-of-a-kind treasure that blends the best of both worlds.
577 Staff Instructors: Julie Beutler & Samantha Day
Grow a Garden Bouquet
Thursday, April 2 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Thursday, April 23 ~ 6pm to 8pm *New Date!
Learn how to start the seeds for a cut flower garden and enjoy vibrant blooms and beautiful bouquets all summer long. In this hands-on class, participants will select and plant their chosen seeds while learning about the many benefits of locally grown flowers.
With expert guidance, you’ll gain the knowledge needed to successfully grow your chosen flowers and take home approximately 20 planted seeds, along with detailed care and transplanting instructions. The class will also cover different at-home seed-starting methods and where to source quality seeds.
Class Notes: Flower selections will be best for an area that gets 6+ hours of direct sunlight each day. All of the seedlings can be transplanted into large pots, containers, raised beds, or an in-ground garden. All supplies are included, but you are welcome to bring your own garden gloves.
Community Instructor: Becca Mathews
Composting 101
Tuesday, April 7 ~ 5:30pm to 6:30pm
Do you eat food? Do you garden? Do you like healthy soil? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this class is for you! Learn the magic behind transforming food scraps and yard waste into a beneficial end product. Don’t have a spot to compost where you live? This class will also cover other creative options and local opportunities to keep these items out of the landfill and still make the magic happen.
If you’d like to leave the class with the proverbial recipe for the potion AND the magic wand, plan to procure the take-home composting kit the day of class to go home with everything you need to start.
Class Note: A limit of 10 compost bin kits will be available for purchase with a debit or credit card in class for $67.34 each (includes tax). More compost bin kits will be available later in April–please see instructors for more information.
Community Instructor: Lauren Rush – City of Perrysburg, Natural Resources Manager; Zachary Nemec – Wood County Solid Waste Management District, Outreach and Program Planner
Spring Foraging Workshop
Wednesday, April 15 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Friday, April 17 ~ 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Early to mid-April is a truly abundant time for foraging in Northwest Ohio, as many plants send up tender shoots and fresh new greens. In this three-hour class, 577’s Organic Garden Horticulturist Samantha Day will guide participants through the grounds, identifying a variety of edible plants that can be foraged in our region during spring.
After gathering our finds, we’ll head to the Kitchen in Virginia’s House to create a fresh, seasonal salad, sauté some shoots into flavorful “garlicky greens,” and prepare others in okonomiyaki or yachaejeon-style (Japanese/Korean vegetable pancake) for a savory snack—plus, possibly more treats, depending on our discoveries. Along the way, we’ll discuss foraging tips specific to Northwest Ohio, explore helpful identification guidebooks and resources, and each participant will receive a printed copy of the monthly foraging guide compiled by Samantha.
Class Note: A portion of this class takes place outdoors. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Beekeeping 101
Saturday, April 18 ~ 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 set up the foundation of the hive in the newly selected site for our bees. Come dressed for the weather, as part 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
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.