This workshop will demonstrate the beloved New England tradition of making maple syrup at home, using the sugar bush on the grounds of the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Chris Wellens, Director of Education at BBG, will cover all aspects of maple sugaring: identifying suitable trees, the when and how of collecting sap, the boiling down process for the home setting, and preserving the syrup for year-round use. Participants will walk through the BBG sugarbush, install spiles, consider collection schedules, and boil…

Long in production, Cultivating the Designers Mind — Principles and Process of Coherent Landscape Design, is a culmination of sixty years of studying, teaching and practicing landscape design. While the book is intended for all land-related professions, landscape architects, architects, planners and engineers, it is both accessible to and useful for all audiences. By personal experience, its principles and processes are widely applicable to much of common life. Highly illustrated with real world examples, this book includes Walter’s compelling watercolor…

Eating seasonally can get a little tricky in the time between the seasons. This will be a hands-on class, so push up your sleeves and get ready to make Winter Borscht, Herb and Goat Cheese Popovers, Radicchio and Chickpeas with Creamy Lemon Dressing, and Baked Apples with Maple Ice Cream. We'll wrap it up with a light meal together, to truly celebrate the bounty of the Berkshires.

Keeping Varroa mites under control in a honeybee colony can be hard and confusing. This workshop is on how to choose and combine treatment options in order to create a mite management plan. She will explain the theory of Integrated Pest Management, review mite treatment options and discuss the most effective non-chemical management tools.

This all-day program will give first year beekeepers the tools they need to start off their new hobby on the right foot. Topics will include honey bee biology, equipment, hive installation methods, basic pest management, honey and wax harvesting, and hive management through the seasons. A hands-on demonstration of installing a hive will follow this talk at a later date depending on the arrival date of the bees. Price includes lunch.

Find inspiration in seashore treasures. Bring to life the beauty of shells, pebbles and other wondrous shapes. Explore their structure and intricate details and learn how to create the silky shine of seaweed, surface of driftwood and other textural surfaces. Make graphite studies of your specimens and find out how to select the right tonal values to give form to a white shell or black pebble. From graphite sketches to realistic renderings, create a fun-filled page of beach treasures. Students…

This workshop covers complementary sprays backed by biodiversity and soil health to set the stage for successfully growing tree fruit here. Learn how fungal disease becomes manageable with wise variety choices and enhanced soil biology. Even major insect challenges can be resolved safely.Bring a bag lunch.