Workshops

An introduction to growing vegetables from seed. This course will cover topics such as, selecting the best types of seed, maturity dates, GMO seeds, hybrids vs heirlooms, starting early indoors, and planting direct in the garden.

The section on starting indoors will discuss different light systems, preventing leggy seedlings and how to harden off seedlings before putting them outside.

This is an ideal course for the first time vegetable gardener.

Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

This is a two-part course that will introduce you to the wonders of growing all kinds of different plants from seed and will draw on Robert Pavlis’ experience growing over 2,000 species of plants from seed.

Part 1: Fundamentals of Seed Germination

This first part will look at the basics of seed biology to really understand the development of a plant from seed. This knowledge will then be expanded to discuss important topics such as collecting your own seed and storing seed for future growth. We’ll have an in-depth look at seed dormancy and different ways of overcoming it.

We’ll then look at some specific examples like germinating petunias, peonies, jack-in-the-pulpits, and maple trees. These will provide insight into different types of seed germination processes.

Part 2: Practical Aspects of Seed Germination

Description: Now that you understand the fundamental basics it is time to look at the practical aspects of growing from seed. We’ll look at different techniques such as growing in pots, the baggy method and winter sowing. We’ll examine ways of dealing with very small and very large seed, and I’ll show you techniques for scarification and stratification, as well as some tricks for overcoming seed dormancy.

We’ll also look at essentials such as lighting, temperature, watering and hardening off seedlings.

At the end of this two-part course you will be able to germinate thousands of different seeds including both outdoor and indoor plants.

Fee: $20 (plus HST) per person.

Winter birdwatching is a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors and experience the beauty of nature in a quieter season. While some birds have migrated south, many stay behind, bringing life and color to our winter landscape. Some northern species even travel here, treating us to special sightings as they escape harsher climates. Whether you’re new to birdwatching or a seasoned birder, we invite you to join us on this winter birding adventure!

*Maximum 20 adults.

Fee: $12 (plus HST) per person, per day.

While sitting on the dock, have you ever asked "Did that loon just attack that duck?" or "How can that Pileated Woodpecker peck such big holes without hurting its brain?" or "Which hawk is that flying overhead?" The answers to these and many other bird-related questions will be covered in this series of eight one-hour sessions on the birds you notice while visiting a cottage, hiking in a northern park or tenting at your favourite campsite. We will cover identification clues, behaviour, nesting info, habitat, foraging techniques and more. Cottage projects and activities that help birds will also be a part of each session as well as a 10-15 minute discussion period for bird-related questions.   All eight programs cost of $70 (plus tax) - that's less than $10 per program! 

Fee: $70.00 + H.S.T.  This event will take place on Zoom. The list of topics with the presentation date is listed below.  If you miss any of the programs, each one is recorded and the recording will be sent to you the next day.  The recordings will be available for one month after the last program.

No leaves? No problem! In this workshop, offered in a convenient Zoom setting, you will learn about the variety of tree features that are useful for identifying trees in winter. From buds and twigs to leaf scars and bark, we will take an in-depth look at the surprisingly distinctive characteristics that let us unlock the identities of trees in their dormant season. We will focus on native Ontario tree species. Optional 'homework' assignments will encourage you to get outside and observe trees in between sessions. The program runs once a week for 4 weeks. Sessions are recorded and made available to registrants for a limited time, so you can take part even if you are not available for the live Zoom sessions.

Fee: $50 (plus HST) per person for the 4 session program.

* Please note that we are also going to be offering an all-day, in-person Winter Tree ID workshop on Friday and Saturday, February 21 and 22, 2025 (ie. you book one day or the other not both). Details and registration info are listed below. The virtual and in-person programs are stand-alone, independent programs, but if you are very keen you may enjoy taking both!

Discover how to use your eyes and ears to identify Ontario's Owls. Through a wide variety of hands-on activities participants will learn about owl plumage, calls and behaviour, habitat requirements, migration patterns, and owl folklore. We'll end the evening with an outdoor owl prowl on The Arboretum grounds. The Adults only program is for adults and teens aged 14+.  The Families program is open to everyone, however children must be accompanied by an adult. *Maximum 25 people.

Fee: $14 (plus HST) per person, per session (evening). 

This course is designed for the new gardener or the gardener that has only been growing vegetables for a couple of years. We’ll start at the very beginning, with ordering seeds and end with a detailed discussion of the 10 best vegetables for new gardeners. Focus is on hardiness zones 4 – 6.

We’ll cover the following topics:
• Creating a new bed and different systems; in the ground, raised beds and growing in containers
• Best soil selection and how to get it ready for the growing season
• When to use seed vs transplants, and starting early indoors
• Dealing with weeds and other gardening tricks
• Watering, sun and fertilizer – keep them growing for a maximum yield
• Harvesting and fall crops
• Common vegetables myths

Robert is a Master Gardener and garden writer who publishes two popular gardening blogs and has published several gardening books. He owns and operates a private botanical garden where he grows over 3,000 different varieties of plants.

Fee: $40 (plus HST) per person. (This fee includes all 4 sessions.)

Have you ever wondered what made those marks in the snow? In this full day program we will be learning how to track animals. We will be studying the tracks and signs of Ontario mammals and other types of wildlife. By the end of the day you will learn to identify and interpret animal tracks by looking at track patterns and gait analysis. The workshop will also include an introduction to scat identification. There is an outdoor component that will have us looking for and following animal tracks and trails. Please dress in layers to be outdoors and wear comfortable, warm boots. Recommended: Bring a notebook and a measuring tape to help with track identification.

The Arboretum Mammal booklet is included in the registration fee.

Fee: $97 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of January 30, 2025. After January 30 the fee is $107 plus HST.

No leaves? No problem! From bark, to buds, to leaf scars, participants get hands-on experience in reading these winter clues for winter identification of trees. This workshop focuses on native Ontario trees, with some common introduced species included as well. Part of the session will be held outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather!

Fee: $94 (plus HST) per person if you register by the early bird deadline of February 13, 2025. After February 13 the fee is $104 plus HST. Please note that this is a one day workshop and due to its popularity we are offering it on 2 different days. When you register you will either register for the Friday or Saturday.

* Please note that we are also offering a virtual Winter Tree I.D. course Thursdays January 23 to February 13, 2025. Details and registration are listed above. You can sign up for one or both ... the virtual or in-person program. They will be 2 independent programs.

Cuttings are a great way to propagate all kinds of plants including perennials, trees, shrubs and houseplants. This workshop will look at different ways to propagate cuttings and compare them to using seeds. Most of the time will be spent on techniques that use media other than water.

We’ll distinguish between softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood cuttings. Have a look at different media and examine the role of rotting hormones, both commercial and DIY options.

The speaker will show you his simplified method that is great for gardeners since it requires no special equipment.

Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Please join us for a concentrated and in-depth look at Ontario’s incredible diversity of Oaks (Quercus spp.). Sean will share some practical tips about how to accurately identify oak species and hybrids, as well as outline the huge ecological role this group of plants plays in our region.

Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

An introduction to the composting process including the role of microbes, greens and browns, carbon to nitrogen ratios, moisture levels, the importance of temperature and a definition for finished compost. We’ll take a brief look at the pros and cons of various composting methods so that you can select the right workshop for you, in the following weeks.

Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

The previous workshop provided information about the composting process. This workshop is more hands on and looks at various methods for completing both hot and cold composting. Hot composting is the traditional method using one or more bins. This is a great system that makes faster compost, but it is impractical for smaller gardens. Various plastic bins and drums are more suitable there. We’ll have a look at various commercial and DIY systems.

At the end of this course you will be able to select the right composting system that meets your requirements and you will know how to start the process, care for it, and what to do with the finished compost.

If you are going to take this course it is a good idea to also take Introduction to Composting for Gardeners.

Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Vermicomposting is a way of using earth worms to compost organic material. One benefit of this method is that it can be done in the home using special bins that require a very small space.

The course will introduce you to the equipment needed including some inexpensive DIY options. It will help you select the right kind of worms and show you how to maintain them to keep them healthy. We’ll review ways of harvesting the vermicasts – the worm poop – and explain how it should be treated for best results in the garden.

At the end of this course you will know the basics of taking care of your new pets and how to resolve any problems you might have.

If you are going to take this course it is a good idea to also take Introduction to Composting for Gardeners.

Fee: $10 (plus HST) per person.

Into birding but the songs have you stumped?  Whether you are new to learning bird sounds or you want a good refresher, this course is for you. Join Chris Earley, Arboretum Interpretive Biologist and author of 5 bird field guides, for a series of eight virtual noon-hour lectures that cover over 150 bird species!  We will focus on songs and some common, distinctive calls and will apply different methods to remember them. Each course will start with a short intro topic about birding by ear before we dive into the bird species. Learn how to make your own calls, read a sonogram, make up your own memorable bird song sayings, and more!  Each class will finish with a 10-15 minute discussion period so you can ask all your bird-related questions.  See the descriptions below to find out which bird groups are covered in each class. All eight programs cost of $70 (plus tax) - that's less than $10 per program!  This fund-raising initiative will help support other Arboretum educational programs.

Fee: $70.00 + H.S.T.  This event will take place on Zoom. The list of topics with the presentation date is listed below.  If you miss any of the programs, each one is recorded and the recording will be sent to you the next day.  The recordings will be available for one month after the last program.

 Owls and Wetland Birds - Day 1 - Monday, March 17, 12 noon – 1:00 PM 
Whooooooo was that? Owls always grab our nightly attention but many wetland birds are also evening singers. We will cover a selection of rails, coots, bitterns, loons, grebes, and more. And don't forget a couple of glorious goatsuckers (whip-poor-wills and nighthawks)! This course will include teaching you how to speak "owl."

Blackbirds and Hawks - Day 2 - Wednesday, March 19, 12 noon – 1:00 PM
These two groups include some early migrants and now is the time we get to see them after a long absence! We will cover the whole blackbird family including meadowlarks, bobolinks, and orioles. We will also study some raptor calls so you can figure out who might be flying through or maybe nesting in your local forest.

Warblers I - Phrasers and Buzzers - Day 3 - Monday, March 24, 12 noon – 1:00 PM 
Knowing warbler song is a key element for finding these tiny trinkets of the treetops. The males will even sing during migration so knowing their voices is important. In this course we will start with the species that sing distinctive phrases or use a buzzy texture in their songs.

Warblers II - Trillers and Thrillers - Day 4 - Wednesday, March 26, 12 noon – 1:00 PM
So, this time things might be a bit more, um, difficult. Trilling birds are tricky but we will go through them and study the differences in these similar songs. We will also cover some other warblers that are a bit more musical and easier to figure out!
 

Sparrows - Day 5 - Monday, March 31, 12 noon – 1:00 PM 
They may be a lot duller to look at than warblers but most sparrows are much better singers! Sometimes it is easier to tell them apart by song than by sight. We will study who says "Home Sweet, Canada, Canada, Canada", "I gotta go wee wee now!" and "Won't you come sit down besiiiiiide meeeee?"

Finches and Thrushes - Day 6 - Wednesday, April 2, 12 noon – 1:00 PM 
Finches, including grosbeaks, redpolls, and crossbills, can be sparrow-like but are even better songsters. But some of them sound the same so we will figure out ways to tell them apart. Their call notes can be important during bird surveys so we will cover some of them, too. Thrushes have lovely voices and one was once voted as the best singing bird in North America! Find out which one at this workshop.

Woodpeckers and Flycatchers - Day 7 - Monday, April 7, 12 noon – 1:00 PM
Sometimes you have to know mechanical sounds to figure out a nearby territorial bird - woodpecker drumming is a prime example. They also make some distinctive calls. And speaking of distinctive, some flycatchers can only really be identified by their songs, not by sight! We will listen to these and get a handle on this confusing group.

 Wrens and Friends - Day 8 - Monday, April 9, 12 noon – 1:00 PM 
We will finish off with a hodge podge of species such as wrens, vireos, jays, nuthatches, kinglets, and more! Many of these live in forest habitats and could all be singing or calling at the same time so learning to differentiate them is an important skill. Are you ready for the challenge?

Wonderous Wildflowers: Spring Blooms Workshop

Sunday, May 4, 2025
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Format: In-Person
Instructor: Christa Wise

Learn more about our Wildflower Program