Public Event

2021 Fall Children’s Vegetable Garden at Phil Hardberger Park Tuesdays, August 31 to December 14, 2021 Registration begins August 3 at 9:00 AM Set at the park’s Historic Homestead, the PHP Children’s Vegetable Garden is a place for children 5 to 14 years old to get their hands dirty as they learn every aspect of gardening, from planting to harvesting.  ...

This illustrated, virtual lecture by historian Victoria Johnson features her latest book, American Eden.  When Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr met on a dueling ground in July 1804, they chose the same attending physician: David Hosack, who, in 1801, on twenty acres of Manhattan farmland, founded the first public botanical garden in the new nation, amassing a spectacular collection of ...

San Antonio Garden Center monthly meetings and programs are free and open to the public.  Meetings and Programs are the 1st Wednesday of each month, September – May at 10:00 A.M.  Coffee Social and Plant Exchange/Sale begin at 9:30 A.M.  Masks are required. Topic:  All About Bonsai Speaker:  Jim Hinkel, San Antonio Bonsai Society Jim’s first bonsai tree in the ...

Join SAWS' always entertaining and knowledgeable Conservation Team as they talk about fall landscapes.  Learn how to freshen up your yard with these fall gardening to-do’s, seasonal plant stars, and ways to save money and water. Registration WaterSaver Rewards = 1 point

Rainwater harvesting can reduce storm water runoff, lower your water bill, and keep your garden green all year long.  Join us in this FREE workshop to learn more about medium- to large-scale rainwater harvesting for residential and commercial applications.  We’ll cover water catchment basics, tanks, filtration, pumps, codes, water budgeting, potential catchment volume calculations, and designing water harvesting plans specific ...

Learn how the Botanical Garden showcases ways to conserve scarce resources.  Its infrastructure, architecture, and plants offer important lessons on building sustainable communities.  Join a specially trained docent on a walk to examine these diverse features. Space is limited and face coverings are required. Meet behind the Admission kiosk. Fee:  $15 ($13.50, Garden members)   Registration deadline is at 10:00 AM ...

Explore our 11–acre Texas Native Trail with Master Naturalists.  Learn about how native plants conserve water, adapt to their environment, and work in landscapes and what their growing requirements are.  Topics include medicinal uses of native plants as well as their historical and cultural uses, and which are favored by birds, butterflies and other wildlife.  There are more than 250 ...

Gardening is one of the most exciting and rewarding lifestyle changes one can implement.  But where do you start?  There is so much to know and learn.  In this FREE workshop we will will start with the basics.  Learn about the most common types of gardens, soil types, amendments, and we will answer as many questions as possible. Registration Please ...

Judit Green, Urban Wildlife Biologist with Texas Parks & Wildlife, will discuss migratory birds and how you can help them during their journey across Texas.  Invite these visitors to your backyard by offering up an array of native plants and some simple features that will get them to their destination safely.  All your work won’t go unnoticed by our resident ...

Are you looking to cook high quality compost?  If so, this FREE workshop is for you.  We will take a deep dive into a super effective, time-tested method for producing high quality hot compost.  We’ll get into the process, science, feedstocks, inoculants, “pro tips,” and much more. Registration Please visit our Virtual Workshop FAQ if you have any issues registering or logging ...

This four-session, 32-hour course is designed to prepare professional arborists for the ISA Certification exam.  This course is ideal for the citizen who wants to stay safe while improving the health of trees and learn more about the value of trees. Nonprofessionals are welcome to attend to gain a better understanding of the benefits of trees and develop their tree ...

Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP) Level 3 Class: Installation And Maintenance Of Native Landscapes The prerequisite for this class is Level 1 – Introduction To Native Plants Fall 2021 classes will be a hybrid of online lecture and in person plant walks on different days. This class is split into two sessions – week 1 is an online presentation on ...

Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s three Texas Native Trails with Dr. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen of Foraging Texas and learn about the edible, medicinal, and practical uses of Texas Native plants.  This workshop incorporates all senses to learn how to properly identify and use useful plants on your own.  Merriwether will provide examples of ways he incorporates plants into his family’s ...

Interested in saving money?  SAWS has amazing conservation programs available to customers!  In this FREE workshop we take a deeper dive into all of the WaterSaver Landscape program requirements, resources, eligible plants, what to do if you have irrigation, and how to plan and install a WaterSaver Landscape from start to finish.  Get ready to have a beautiful outdoor space ...

Come see what’s in bloom!  Explore the Botanical Garden’s WaterSaver Gardens with a SABOT volunteer.  Learn the characteristics of different drought tolerant landscapes, including Cottage, Hill Country, Manicure Xeriscape, and Spanish style. Space is limited and face coverings are required. Meet at 10:00 AM behind the Admission kiosk. Fee:  $15 ($13.50, Garden members)  Registration deadline is at 10:00 AM the ...

Rainwater harvesting has so many benefits – from happy plants to money in your wallet.  With so many things to consider, it can be hard to know where or how to start.  This FREE short workshop will touch on all of the basics, and questions to ask yourself.  This class is good for those looking to “dip their toes” in ...

Learn about resident and migrant birds at the Botanical Garden, their characteristics, requirements for food, nesting, and protection, and the native plants you can use to attract them to your yard. Space is limited and face coverings are required. Meet at 9:15 AM behind the Admissions kiosk. Fee:$15 ($13.50, Garden members)  Registration deadline is 9:15 AM the day before the ...

Learn how to use the tools botanists use to identify unknown plants:  dichotomous keys, field guides, and online resources.  In this workshop, Eason will discuss the advantages of each tool and model their uses.  Then registrants will have the opportunity to apply these tools in the Garden’s Texas Native Trails. Instructor: Michael Eason, Director of Plant Conservation & Research, San ...

This class is comprised of four sessions of speakers and ends with an optional one-on-one consultation for personalized information (attendees should bring a sketch and/or pictures of their landscape).  Attendees will receive four books that will be utilized throughout the program. Session 1: Planning a landscape. Session 2: Designing a landscape; utilize each area with a cohesive design to fit ...

For thousands of years Texas plants have been used for sustenance, medicine, and the establishment of the area.  As the region and its populations changed, so did the ethnobotany (relationship between people and plants).  This seasonally changing tour will explore the Texas Native Trails, exploring the diverse relationships people have had, and still have, with plants in Texas. Instructor:  Maeve ...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - 12:00-2:00 PM ❖ Winter Supplementation – Understanding my options and how to use them? Dr. Jason Banta, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist - Overton ❖ Stockpiling Grass versus Feeding Hay Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Extension Forage Specialist - Overton Fee:  $15/class    Once registered, a link to the class will be provided. To sign up, RSVP to Chris ...

Create a Frida Kahlo-inspired planter using the cactus and succulent plants Frida loved.  Registrants will learn how to create a cactus soil blend and care tips for their planter.  Then with the expert guidance of Chelsea, registrants will select plants and arrange their own mini Casa Azul. Instructor:  Chelsea Crisler, Gardener, San Antonio Botanical Garden Space is limited. Fee: $55 ...

This house plant course will cover an overview of everything you will need to ensure the health of your house plants, from the selection of material to watering and possible issues that you may come across and their solutions.  Topics covered: history, horticulture therapy, environmental factors, plant selection, media and potting, watering, fertilizing, and problem ID and solutions.  Registrants will ...

Design and implement landscapes that work.  In this FREE workshop, learn valuable techniques to develop landscapes that are made to last and function sustainably with local ecosystems.  A properly designed sustainable landscape should be beautiful and eco-friendly while saving resources and requiring minimal maintenance.  Keep water on your property, reduce localized flooding, manage storm water flows, design for conservation and ...

Invasive species threaten the persistence of native species, ecosystem health, and the services ecosystems provide humans.  In this talk, Dr. Kelly Lyons, Professor of Biology at Trinity University, will discuss her long-term research on invasive species in grasslands and emerging standard best practices for their control, with practical information on specific management approaches.  She will also briefly present her current ...

Participants will learn to identify several different butterflies and their caterpillars as well as the plants that will turn your yard into a butterfly magnet.  You will receive a list of pollinator plants, great pictures, and all the info you will need to get started.  After the class we will have a Q&A and tour the butterfly gardens. Speaker:  Laura ...

There are few better ways to attract birds to your backyard than by incorporating native plants in your landscape.  During this FREE beginner level class, we will discuss the benefits of native plants and their benefits for both birds and people!  You will come away from this presentation with practical suggestions for plants to incorporate into your landscape in San ...

Come prepared to learn all about raised garden beds!  Why is this style of gardening so popular?  What are the benefits to using raised beds?  Is raised bed gardening easier than other types of gardens? Come join us in this unique interactive FREE webinar where you will be able to get your questions answered by our expert, Darinka Hudson, founder ...

Learn how the Botanical Garden showcases ways to conserve scarce resources.  Its infrastructure, architecture, and plants offer important lessons on building sustainable communities.  Join a specially trained docent on a walk to examine these diverse features. Space is limited and face coverings are required. Meet behind the Admission kiosk. Fee:  $15 ($13.50, Garden members)   Registration deadline is at 10:00 AM ...

Explore our 11–acre Texas Native Trail with Master Naturalists.  Learn about how native plants conserve water, adapt to their environment, and work in landscapes and what their growing requirements are.  Topics include medicinal uses of native plants as well as their historical and cultural uses, and which are favored by birds, butterflies and other wildlife.  There are more than 250 ...