pictured: Justin Blackwell
photo: Stephanie Moss
Gardening Workshops
Let our skilled gardeners start you on the path toward mastering essential techniques which can be put to good use in any garden, Japanese or Western. Each workshop combines live demonstrations, printed guide material, question-and-answer, and hands-on experience in a friendly, exploratory environment. Pack a lunch and feel free to bring your gardening gear—these events are held rain or shine.
Bamboo Fence-Building Workshop
Saturday & Sunday, March 13–14
9am-3pm, rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
Space is limited, reservations required
Reservations for this event have sold out. Please call (503) 542-0280 with any questions.
Jonathan Ley
This two-day hands-on experience teaches participants to design and build a fence panel using traditional Japanese materials and techniques. Necessary tools, supplies, and printed material are provided.
Garden Curator Sadafumi Uchiyama presents this workshop with staff gardeners. The process begins with a walk around the Garden and a review of the use and placement of bamboo fences. There will be a discussion on types and styles as well as a review of the history and evolution of Japanese bamboo fences.
Day one includes lectures and demonstrations, with hands-on tool practice and knot-tying sessions. On day two, participants apply their learned skills to build a Japanese bamboo fence and will also receive a brief demonstration of fence repair and refurbishing. The workshop format allows for open Q & A throughout both days. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
Sand & Stone Raking Workshop
pictured: Michael Kondo
photo: Stephanie Moss
Sunday, March 28
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and Sand & Stone Garden
Space is limited, reservations required
Reservations for this event have sold out. Please call (503) 542-0280 with any questions.
This "behind the scenes" participation workshop teaches participants the art of kare sansui preparation, impression, and maintenance. Following a brief lecture on the design of our Sand & Stone Garden, participants will actively prepare the space, impress (rake) a pattern, and learn about tools and maintenance. Printed materials are provided, including a diagram for how to build a sand garden rake. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
Organic Horticulture for Japanese Gardens
Saturday, May 1
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
$65 for members, $85 for non-members
Space is limited, reservations required
(Reservations open March 16)
Learn about the specific techniques required to manage plant health and nutrition, and growth regulation within the context of a Japanese garden. This interactive program introduces you to the processes of Nutrient Management, Integrated Pest Management, Irrigation Management, Soil Biology and the Soil Food Web, Moss Cultivation and Maintenance, Aquatic and Wildlife Habitat Management, and the specific challenges presented in a public Japanese garden. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
Pine-Candling Demonstration
Saturday, May 15
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
$65 for members, $85 for non-members
Space is limited, reservations required
(Reservations open March 30)
pictured: Justin Blackwell
photo: Stephanie Moss
Learn the art of pine candling through this demonstration class. Director of Grounds Maintenance Virginia Harmon and Head Gardener Michael Kondo begin the day with a walk through the Garden to review the use and placement of pines. Demonstration leaders then discuss the types of pines, specific pruning/needling/shaping techniques, and ways to regulate pine growth. In addition, general care information and printed materials regarding Integrated Pest Management and Nutrient Management are provided. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
Nobedan Stone Pavement Technique Workshop
Saturday, June 19
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
$65 for members, $85 for non-members
Space is limited, reservations required
(Reservations open April 27)
This hands-on experience will introduce participants to the unique stone pavement techniques utilized in Japan for stone pathway construction—primarily in tea gardens or a nobleman's entryway. The program begins with a brief lecture and illustration presentation by Garden Curator Sada Uchiyama, followed with side-by-side work with Sada and Head Gardener Michael Kondo to construct a nobedan path. Printed materials and diagrams will be provided. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
Maple Pruning Demonstration
Saturday, September 11
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
$65 for members, $85 for non-members
Space is limited, reservations required
(Reservations open July 27)
One of our most popular workshops! Join us for our fall maple-pruning techniques demonstration conducted by Head Gardener Michael Kondo and Director of Grounds Maintenance Virginia Harmon. This demonstration includes discussions regarding types of maple pruning and specific pruning techniques as well as the regulations of shape and growth. General care and fact sheets will be provided, with a section on Integrated Pest Management and Nutrient Management. Limited hands-on practice is provided. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
Bamboo Fence-Building Workshop
Saturday & Sunday, September 18–19
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
$150 for members, $175 for non-members
Space is limited, reservations required
(Reservations open July 27)
Pine Pruning and Needling Demonstration
Saturday, October 23
9am-3pm rain or shine
Garden Pavilion and grounds
$65 for members, $85 for non-members
Space is limited, reservations required
(Reservations open August 31)
Learn how to care for your pine trees. Conducted by Head Gardener Michael Kondo and Director of Grounds Maintenance Virginia Harmon, this demonstration (with limited hands-on practice) explores specific pine-pruning and needling techniques, shaping, and growth regulation. General care and fact sheets will be provided with a section on Integrated Pest Management and Nutrient Management. Participants are asked to please provide their own lunch.
