Adult Programs

Classes begin at 10 AM unless otherwise noted and vary in length. All programs are $15 or $8 for Garden members unless otherwise noted. This includes admission to the Gardens. Registration recommended.

Click here to sign up for classes!

Every Wednesday – Tai Chi (11:30 am)  Meet out under the cedar tree in the rose garden and learn the ancient practice of Tai Chi. Beginning and intermediate students welcome.  Tai Chi will melt away stress, heal and improve your general health, and help you achieve better balance. Fee: $50/month or $45/month for Garden members.

Saturday, Dec. 17—Beginning Beekeeping (times vary).  SGG beekeeper, Dan Harris, leads you through a 6 month in-depth program where you will learn how to build a hive, establish and care for bees and harvest your own honey.  Three of the sessions will involve working at the SGG hives. Smoking instructions, but not jackets, included.  Fee: Contact Garden at 770-919-0248. *coupons and discounts do not apply

Coming in April, 2012- Veggie Plots Series (Tuesday 5-7 pm or Saturday 8-10 am) Families and individuals can learn to grow veggies under the tutelage of SGG experts in our new Gather ‘n’ Grow Garden in 4’ sq. raised beds. A $150 fee will include your Veggie Plot, access to the Gardens during working hours during the growing season, and participation in a series of 10 classes on vegetable gardening over 14 weeks of the growing season. Gardeners can choose to attend classes on Tuesday evenings or Saturday mornings.  Topics will include Putting Seeds to Bed, Wicked Weeds, Pollinators, Other Garden Helpers, ending with a Harvest Feast. Participants are welcome to work their ‘plantation’ during regular SGG operating hours. Sign-up NOW! (First come, first ‘re’-served!)

Saturday, Jan. 28—Bats in the Backyard (not in the Belfry) (10 am).   Dennis Krusac from the National Forest Service will discuss how to attract mosquito eating bats to your yard. A day with Dennis can include discussions on pollinators, woodworking, children’s gardens…  His enthusiasm is contagious, but his bites are not!

Saturday, Feb. 4—Caring for Your Orchids (10 am).    SGG volunteer and past president of the Atlanta Orchid Society, Tom Oder, will show you how to repot and care for your orchid so that it blooms again and again. If two ‘agains’ aren’t enough, Tom can provide more for an additional fee.

Saturday, Feb. 4—All About Winter Hummingbirds (10 am).   Hummingbirds in February?  Who knew?  Our favorite bird bander, Julia Eliot from Bird Watcher Supply, will give you the knowledge to help our little friends through the winter.  (Includes demonstration on how to knit hummingbird sweaters.)

Wednesday, Feb. 15–Docent Training (10 am).    How would you like to become a trained Docent at Smith-Gilbert Gardens? Beginning on Wednesday, February 15 and continuing each succeeding Wednesday until March 14th we will be conducting training classes to learn about how to give tours of Smith-Gilbert Gardens , The Hiram Butler House, the Garden Sculpture and also become familiar with the over 3,000 different species of plants in the Garden. This once a week class will run from 10 – 12 each Wednesday and at the conclusion of the sessions, you will be fully prepared to take groups on guided tours through the Gardens. Come and join a great group of volunteers and participate in the many activities we have at Smith-Gilbert Gardens. If interested please reserve a space in the class by registering on line at smithgilbertgardens.com or contact Jim Parks, Volunteer Coordinator at 770 919 0248 or jparks@smithgilbertgardens.com

Saturday, Feb. 25—Bonsai 101 (10 am).   SGG has the only public bonsai display in GA. SGG caretaker Rodney Clemons from Allgood Bonsai will enlighten beginners who are interested in this ancient art.  Art, enlightenment, Zen…

Saturday, Mar. 3—Successful Vegetable Gardening (10 am).   Is there anything tastier or more satisfying than a meal of home-grown vegetables? This class will give you the confidence to start your own vegetable patch. (Sorry, worms not included.)

Saturday, Mar. 17– Homemade Hypertufa (10 am).   The 10 am class is full.  However, as this program is so popular we are going to offer a second class at 1 pm.  Always a favorite, sign up early for this hands-on class.  All participants will go home with a lightweight container made of concrete, perlite and peat moss.  Oh, and also some air and water.

Saturday, Mar. 24-Perennial Fun in the Perennial Garden (10 am).   Jim Harrington, designer of the SGG perennial garden, will give you a wheelbarrow full of design ideas and plant choices for your garden. The wheelbarrow has a 4.5 cu. ft. capacity, so come prepared for a load!

Sunday, April 1 - Advanced Beekeeping (11 am to Noon).  Our favorite beekeeper, Dan Harris, is offering a workshop on spring swarm management for more advanced beekeepers. Dan will spend one class session lecturing and one session in the bee yard discussing swarm management focusing on spring hive splits.  The times and dates for this program are: 

Sunday, April 1st 11AM – 12 PM lecture

Saturday April 21 3:30 – 5PM bee yard workshop

 The cost for this program is $30 which includes the lecture and workshop in the bee yard.

Saturday, April 14 —Hardscapes—Building a Dry Stack-Stone Wall (10 am). Hardscapes are an important aspect in your landscape design.  Learn the importance of  the “two over one, one over two” rule. This class is for the do-it-yourselfer with a strong back and a weak mind.

 Saturday, Apr. 21—Choosing Wisely for Summer Color (10 am).    Don’t let your garden look tired this summer.  Let SGG Head Gardener Shon Cameron give you great ideas to keep your garden bright and colorful throughout the summer season.  And he does it all without spray paint! (At least we think we does…)

Saturday, May 5—Sue Dean, Queen of the Container (10 am).   Any of you that shop at Lost Mt. Nursery are familiar with the beautiful containers created by the equally beautiful Sue Dean.  Sue will bring plants to sell and demonstrate several types of arrangements.

Saturday, May 19 – Cooking with Carrie (10 am).  A common shared interest among the SGG staff is that we all love to cook!  Our own Carrie Camden, graduate of the Culinary School at the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia, will involve all your senses during her program on May 19.  Learn how to grow herbs and use them in your recipes.  Carrie will give a give a cooking demonstration with samples!  (Recipes TBD!)  YUM, YUM!