December Programs
Always check the Garden Calendar for event details and updates.
Reservations are accepted daily, including weekends, 9 am - 4:30 pm.
Call 510-643-2755 x03 for event registration or to purchase/renew a membership.
Sick Plant Clinic
Saturday | December 3 | 9 am - noon
Join Dr. Raabe for his monthly Sick Plant Clinic and find out which diseases ail your plants. Entomologists are also available to identify the pests that are living in your plants. Please cover plants and disease samples in containers or bags before entering the Garden.
No reservation required: free
Back to the Roots
Saturday | December 3 | 2 - 3 pm Urban mushroom farmers Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora of Oakland's Back to the Roots use spent coffee grounds from local cafes as the soil for delicious mushrooms. Come find out how these Cal students turned a quirky experiment in a fraternity kitchen into a grant from the UC Berkeley Chancellor for social innovation and collaborations with Whole Foods & Chez Panisse. Alejandro & Nikhi will be on hand to share their inspired idea of turning waste into wages and fresh, local food. They'll also teach you how to create a Grow-Your-Own Mushroom Garden that produces up to 1 lb of gourmet mushrooms in as little as 10 days. Kits will be available for purchase!
Registration required; $10, $7 members, UCB students, staff & faculty
Evergreen Wreaths and Garlands
Wednesday | December 7 | 6 - 9 pm Create a beautiful and festive wreath or garland to add to your holiday decorations. Greens from the Garden and other materials are included, but be sure to bring your own hand pruners. Registration required; $30, $25 members
Gorgeous Gifts from the Garden Holiday Soiree Friday | December 9 | 4 - 8 pm You're invited to join the Garden for a special after-hours holiday affair. From the sublimely simple to the ultra-chic there is sure to be a plant or Garden-inspired gift item to delight everyone on your holiday gift-giving list. Add tasty seasonal refreshments and extra discounts and the evening is complete! While you're here, don't forget to pick up a plant for yourself or a gift membership for someone special. The event is free and fabulous!
Handmade Olive Oil Soaps Sunday | December 11 | 1-3 pm Kathleen Elliot of the Hillcrest Olive Ranch will instruct students on how to make one-of-a-kind olive oil soaps from freshly harvested olives. Registration required; $25, $20 members
From Conifers to Caryota: Member's Walk Thursday | December 15 | 1 - 2:30 pm Associate Director of Collections and Horticulture Chris Carmichael will lead a walking tour of the Garden's collection. He will focus on conifers, and also highlight some of his favorite plants, including the glorious fishtail palm (Caryota). Registration required; members only; free
Handmade for the Holidays Family Workshop Saturday | December 17 | 11 am -1 pm Join the Garden for this family program as we create gifts and festive decorations inspired by the Garden's diverse collection of plants. Materials & snacks provided! Children must be accompanied by an adult; $10 per person, $8 members
Making Local, Traditional Brine-fermented Olives Sunday | December 18 | 1 - 5 pm Discover the joy of brining your own olives! Join the Garden as we learn the process from harvest to milling from brining to cooking. Participants pack and bring home a jar of olives in an organic brine.
Led by Kathleen Elliot, owner of the Hillcrest Olive Ranch in Sunol, CA. Registration required; $40, $35 members
Makin' Mead Saturday | January 7 | 2 - 4 pm Join the Garden and Robert MacKimmie of City Bees as we turn honey into wine! Participants will mix their gallon of mead under Robert's ever-watchful eye, ensuring delicious results. The class will also present more advanced recipes for cyser (apple and honey wine) and melomel (fruit and honey). There will be plenty of samples to try, and everyone will go home with recipes, as well as a gallon jug of mead to ferment at home. Registration required; $50, $45 members. Space is limited!
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