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
The Wisdom of Calendula
Tuesday, April 30 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of the calendula plant. Participants will learn the ancient wisdom of the calendula plant and how it can be used to support our general health and wellness. Everyone will make a calendula salve in class they can take to use at home.
Participants will enjoy an herbal treat* while they formulate and sample their own tea blend using calendula and other herbs. Each blend will have ten tea servings to enjoy and share at home.
This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.
*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
The Wisdom of Aloe Vera
Tuesday, May 7 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of the aloe vera plant. Participants will learn how aloe can support us internally and externally, and everyone will make a 2-ounce container of aloe infused salve to bring home. Children are welcome to attend with a registered adult and can help to make their family’s salve.
This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
Introduction to Flower Essences
Saturday, May 18 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm
Flower essences are a particularly magical branch of herbal medicine. They carry the energetic imprint of a plant rather than an extraction of physical constituents. They are often used for issues with a strong mental, emotional, or spiritual component.
In this class, we’ll discuss what flower essences are, how they’re used, and how to make your own.
Community Instructor: Sarah Williams
Small Woven Birdhouse
Tuesday, May 21 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Learn a basic twining technique to weave a small birdhouse! We will use wild willow tips, ivy, cordage, and twine to weave. This size of birdhouse is ideal for wrens, finches, and other small birds. It’s likely that you will complete your small birdhouse in class, but if not, you will take home the materials to finish. The twining technique is applicable to all sorts of materials, and you could try twined weaves on materials from your own garden at home.
Completed birdhouses will be approximately 8 inches tall by 4 inches wide.
577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day
Grow & Create: Fun Eco-Friendly Garden Gadgets
Wednesday, May 22 ~ 2pm to 4:30pm
Create easy-to-make and fun-to-use sustainable garden gadgets out of upcycled materials. We’ll make a garden apron for your tools out of an old pair of jeans (no sewing needed), a cute and comfortable garden kneeler, and a white-washed planter from a recycled Mason jar–perfect for a small succulent. You’ll also turn an old cigar box into a little one-stop place to store your seed packets and small tools like garden wire.
This class explores environmental sustainability through creativity, gardening, and repurposing! Note: Participants need to bring a pair of old jeans to ensure they fit around their waist. All other materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own Mason jar or cigar box.
577 Staff Instructor: Avery Bohman
The Wisdom of Clove
Wednesday, May 22 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Explore the wisdom of nature and discover the potential benefits of clove while sampling medicinal teas and enjoying an herbal infused treat. Participants will learn how clove can support our general wellness and be used for pain relief and as an antseptic. Everyone will bring home a jelly sized mason jar of clove to make tincture at home!
This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.
*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs.
Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson
Herb Walk
Wednesday, May 29 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm
Join us as we stroll the 577 gardens and grounds in search of wild and cultivated herbs. Learn the identification, folklore, and medicinal virtues of many of our common springtime plants. Many of our common “weeds” have a lot to offer once you get to know them.
Community Instructor: Sarah Williams
Fairy Garden with Herbs • Youth Gardening
Saturday, June 15 ~ 10am to 11am
Young gardeners with their adult partners will have fun digging in the dirt to make their very own fairy herb garden! Together, we will plant basil, thyme, rosemary, and chives in a take-home planter. Everyone will finish their pot by decorating it with fairy trinkets. All supplies included.
This class is designed for kids ages 7 to 15 with an adult guardian. *Please note: Cost is per child ~ please register each child attending. Adults are free and caregivers MUST attend class with their child.
Community Instructor: Danielle Garcia
577 Behind the Scenes Tour: A Natural Landscape
Tuesday, June 25 ~ 6pm to 8pm
Tour the 577 grounds with 577 Horticulturists Bennett Dowling and Samantha Day to gather garden inspiration while discussing horticulture design.
Bennett will walk you through his process of redesigning a few different beds throughout his four years at 577. Samantha will walk you through some of the woven features she’s incorporated into garden spaces. Both horticulturists will talk about design elements they reflect on while mapping out a bed, things they think about while making plant choices, how they use color and texture in plantings to make beds visually interesting. Everyone will leave with plenty of ideas to try in their own gardens, as well as some handouts to get started.
577 Staff Instructors: Bennett O. Dowling & Samantha Day
Herb Harvest, Drying, and Storage
Saturday, June 29 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm
Growing or foraging herbs is delightful in itself, but how do you make the most of your harvest? The simplest and most traditional method is to dry them and tuck them away safely for future use.
In this class, we’ll discuss how to properly harvest, dry, and store herbs for maximum quality and potency, as well as the best health of the plants. We will also cover various ways that you can use your dried herbs: teas, powders, seasoning blends, etc.
Community Instructor: Sarah Williams
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.