Join us Mondays in March for an interactive storytime as we read and move our bodies! March 10th story is “The Bad Seed” by Jory John. This story will take place outside by our fire-pit. Please dress for the weather. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have hot chocolate and tea for sale.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members.

We will also have a fire, hot beverages, and a few workshops:

12:30pm - PermaWHAT?! What the heck is permaculture?
1:15pm - Backyard Composting in a Nutshell
2:00pm - TBD (possibly seed starting)

Gather the family and come celebrate the last full moon of winter, the Worm Moon! Families will use UV flashlights to look for clues in the Garden to decipher a secret message. This event takes place outside so dress for the weather. All clues will be along our 1/2 mile paved loop.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members and kids 7 and up.

Let's get to the point! Sharp garden tools make your work faster, safer, and more efficient. Bring your old, dull shovels, hoes, and pruners and learn a quick-and-dirty way to get them back in shape. We'll also share the ABG Horticulture Team's favorite tools while we get ready for the 2025 season! Participants will take home their own 8-inch dual-sided file and a carbide sharpening tool so they can keep their tools sharp for years to come.

You must register ahead of time; $2 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations. No refunds for requests made with less than 48 hours notice.

Join the ABG Education team for a fun night of Plant Trivia for the whole family. Questions are designed for ages 7 and up and were created by the Education and Horticulture staff. This is a multi-generational trivia night. We will have 3 rounds of questions with themes related to, you guessed it, plants! Limit 5 people on a team. Fun ABG swag goes to the winning team! We will provide light snacks and hot tea but feel free to bring your own food.

Trivia Night will take place in our heated Greenhouse. Space is limited; teams must sign up in advance. Choose your team name, grab a drink, get a snack and join us for a battle of the best plant minds!

$5/person for Members and $7/person for Non-Members

Join us Mondays in March for an interactive storytime as we read and move our bodies! March 10th story is “Rooting for You” by Susan Hood. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. Program takes place in our heated Greenhouse (limited space inside; please plan to park your strollers outside). All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have hot chocolate and tea for sale.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members.

Join us Mondays in March for an interactive storytime as we read and move our bodies! March 3rd story is “Rachel’s Day in the Garden” by Giselle Shardlow. This week’s story will feature yoga movements. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. Program takes place in our heated Greenhouse (limited space inside; please plan to park your strollers outside). All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have hot chocolate and tea for sale.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members.

The Wildflowers design by Landly AK is the perfect introduction to hand embroidery. In this class you will learn 6 stitches in a 4-hour period. All supplies are provided. You will go home with your piece, 5-inch hoop, size 5 needle and thread needed to complete your left-over work at home. This is a perfect beginner's class and is best fit 12 years and older.

You must register ahead of time; $5 cancellation applies to all cancellations. No refunds for requests made with less than 48 hours notice.

Please keep in mind that embroidery is a slower craft and that it is possible you do not finish the piece completely before class is over. 

Join us Mondays in February for an interactive storytime as we read and move our bodies! February 24th story is “The Little Plant Doctor” by Jean Marzollo. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. Program takes place in our heated Greenhouse (limited space inside; please plan to park your strollers outside). All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have hot chocolate and tea for sale.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members.

Join local landscape architect, M. Elise Huggins, for a 3-day home landscape design class. You will learn the basics of design and how to apply them to your yard.  Beginning with how to know your yard, the climate and micro-climate, existing plants and views and topography and neighbors and such, the discussion will go from understanding your site, to understanding your needs and finding opportunities and constraints that will help lead to a concept and way forward for designing your own landscape.

Class meets Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm, Feb. 20th, Feb. 27th and March 6th. This is a 3-day class no single day registrations. A $10 cancellation fee applies for all cancellations. 

M. Elise Huggins has 40+ years of experience in design with over 40 years in Alaska.  Elise has won numerous awards for her landscape architectural projects throughout Alaska.  Elise is skilled at creating outdoor spaces that are safe and enjoyable.   She has designed numerous residential landscapes and has gardened in her own gardens over the years and is an avid experimenter in both plant selection and garden layout.  While Elise recognizes the incredible value in native plants (and holds a big disdain for invasives), she is a plant lover who tries many things. 

This is a detailed introduction to seed starting, great for beginners or intermediate growers looking to improve their success with starting seeds indoors. Participants will sow their own 4-packs of mixed herbs to continue growing at home. Topics discussed will include:

• Where to buy seeds and which ones to choose

• How to store seeds to maximize their shelf life and improve germination rates

• Figuring out when to start which seeds

• How to get strong, even germination with high success rates

• How to take care of seedlings after they germinate

• Troubleshooting problems like leggy seedlings, yellow leaves, and fungus gnats

  
  You must register ahead of time; $2 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations. No refunds for requests made with less than 48 hours notice.

This 60 minute yoga class forms a flowing sequence in coordination with the breath. This class includes asana (postures), breath work, and brief meditation after savasana to balance out our practice. The goal of this class is to provide you with a nourishing asana practice and have you leaving the garden feeling relaxed and peaceful. Please bring a yoga mat. All classes will take place in our heated Greenhouse.

Space is limited; you must register ahead of time. There is a $2 cancellation fee for all cancellations.

Palette has created another one of a kind design uniquely for the Alaska Botanical garden. Participants will be using acrylic on canvas to create their own spring bouquet. This class focuses on techniques for expressing texture, spacing, and movement. Participants will have a variety of colors to choose from for their boots and poppies! All materials will be provided. You must register in advance. A $5 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations; no refunds given with less than 48 hours notice.

Stephanie Leigh Buen believes in continually creating and attempts to constantly challenge herself to new designs. Stephanie  is a local painter, actress, and art instructor. Initially self taught, she has been learning as an artist for over twenty years. She has taught art lessons for prior venues such as Kaleidoscape, The Alaska Fine Arts Academy, and currently runs art workshops for Raven Homeschool. She took over Palette just over a year ago and loves watching others create as much as she loves creating art for herself. She truly believes everyone has some form of artistic talent within them, and it is a joy helping nourish that passion in others. 

Join us Mondays in February for an interactive storytime as we read and move our bodies! February 10th story is “Two Old Potatoes and Me” by John Coy. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. Program takes place in our heated Greenhouse (limited space inside; please plan to park your strollers outside). All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have hot chocolate and tea for sale.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members.

Learn how to make a unique gourd lamp this winter. Using your gourd as a blank canvas you will apply different dyes and finishes before using an awl to create unique patterns and designs to allow light to shine through. Once your masterpiece is complete, display it on the lighted base to create a beautifully illuminated gourd. These are a great addition to your home or a perfect gift. Along the way you will learn about the inspiration behind these lamps with ABG staff member, Annsley.

All supplies are included (variety of acrylics and dyes, protecting wax, awl, gourd, lamp base).

There is a $5 cancellation fee for all cancellations. No refunds for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice.

WORKSHOP FULL

Join us Mondays in February for an interactive storytime as we read and move our bodies! February 3rd story is “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. The story and program are designed for ages 6 and younger. Program takes place in our heated Greenhouse (limited space inside; please plan to park your strollers outside). All children must be accompanied by an adult. We will have hot chocolate and tea for sale.

Members & kids 6 and under are FREE; $5 for Non-Members.

Join Tai Chi instructor, Richie Goldstein, for an hour-long Tai Chi class. This low impact, mind-body practice will begin with a short warm up followed by a series of Qi Gong breathing exercises. You'll practice the Yang Style 24-movement Tai Chi with an emphasis on balance, both physical and mental. Class will be held in the ABG heated Greenhouse, no equipment needed just comfortable clothes and shoes. This class is for all levels. Class size is limited, you must register ahead of time. There is a $2 cancellation fee for all cancellations.

Richie Goldstein began studying Tai Chi in 1996 with Sifu Warren Pretlow at the Healing Arts Studio here in Anchorage. For the past twelve years, he’s studied with Dao Shima Susan Elkins at Jade Lady Studio.

Alaska's gardening season is short and intense! Learn how ABG makes the most of our limited season by creating a growing plan and stocking up on supplies in advance. We'll talk about ideal timelines for starting different plants, succession planning, and ABG's system for week-to-week seeding, up-potting, and transplanting that takes the guesswork out of springtime so you can hit the ground running as soon as the soil thaws. Participants will receive blank workbooks to create their own growing plans for their home gardens.

There is a $2 cancellation fee for all cancellations. No refunds for cancellations made with less than 48 hours notice.

Participants will be using acrylic on canvas to create their own winter wonderland snowperson. We will be discussing blending and complimentary colors as each participant will have a variety of templates to choose from to dress up their snowperson as they would like! This class is excellent for beginners and seasoned painters alike, and is really meant for anyone who just enjoys capturing the color and beauty of Alaska’s winterscapes! This particular piece was created for the Alaska Botanical Garden. All materials will be provided. You must register in advance. A $5 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations; no refunds given with less than 48 hours notice.

Stephanie Leigh Buen believes in continually creating and attempts to constantly challenge herself to new designs. Stephanie  is a local painter, actress, and art instructor. Initially self taught, she has been learning as an artist for over twenty years. She has taught art lessons for prior venues such as Kaleidoscape, The Alaska Fine Arts Academy, and currently runs art workshops for Raven Homeschool. She took over Palette just over a year ago and loves watching others create as much as she loves creating art for herself. She truly believes everyone has some form of artistic talent within them, and it is a joy helping nourish that passion in others. 

This 60 minute yoga class forms a flowing sequence in coordination with the breath. This class includes asana (postures), breath work, and brief meditation after savasana to balance out our practice. The goal of this class is to provide you with a nourishing asana practice and have you leaving the garden feeling relaxed and peaceful. Please bring a yoga mat. All classes will take place in our heated Greenhouse.

Space is limited; you must register ahead of time. There is a $2 cancellation fee for all cancellations.