Classes + Workshops

Learn how to create a vibrant native garden using your favorite colors. This talk covers the benefits of gardening with native plants and how they support local wildlife while adding beauty to your landscape. Explore flowers in rainbow order and by season, from spring through fall, and discover how to layer colors to create continuous blooms and visual interest throughout the year. Take home a handout of native flowers organized by color and bloom season to plan your own color-themed garden.

Discover how to make your native garden look intentional and communicate its beauty to others. This talk covers plant selection, design basics, and “Cues to Care,” including elements like signage, pathways, and artwork that help your garden tell its story. You’ll also explore strategies for educating neighbors, friends, and your community so they can see and appreciate the full richness of native landscaping.

Learn how to plan and design a native plant garden that supports wildlife and thrives in your space. This talk covers the why and how of native plants, assessing site conditions, and planning plant placement for both sun and shade. Participants will also get a hands-on opportunity to practice designing a garden using worksheets and templates, experimenting with plant shapes and layouts, and applying the concepts from the presentation to a real garden design.

Explore how to incorporate edible native plants into your garden and landscape. This talk covers why native edible plants are well-adapted to our climate, provide habitat for wildlife, and can be convenient, low-maintenance additions to your vegetable or food garden. Learn where to plant fruiting trees and shrubs, create edible hedgerows, or add perennials to existing beds. Take home a handout with a list of native edible plants and resources on foraging, cooking, and gardening with these plants.

Discover why fall is an ideal time to plant your garden. This talk covers the benefits of autumn planting for both gardeners and plants, including stronger root development and easier establishment. Learn a practical planting timeline for the Dayton, Ohio area, and explore how native plants can thrive in your fall garden. The session also emphasizes “less is more” for fall garden chores, helping you care for your landscape efficiently. Take home a handout with a list of native flowers, trees, and shrubs that provide beautiful fall color.

Transform your lawn into a thriving garden with less effort. This class focuses on two practical methods, using cardboard and mulch or herbicide, while also introducing other approaches like, sod removal, solarization and light-blocking techniques. Discover how to select the ideal method for your space, whether it's planting seeds or live plants, and make your garden more wildlife-friendly with ease.

Learn how to attract birds to your yard by creating a bird-friendly garden with native plants. This talk focuses on providing the essentials birds need to thrive in your yard: a safe habitat, water, and food. Discover the flowers, shrubs, and trees that offer food for birds directly or support the insects they eat, and learn why eliminating insecticides is critical for sustaining a healthy bird population. Take home a handout that includes a plant list and resources for beginning birdwatchers.

Learn how to create a garden that comes alive at night with white flowers, silvery foliage, and night-blooming plants. Moon gardens can be designed for visual appeal or to attract nocturnal wildlife such as moths and bats. This talk covers which native plants work best for a moon garden, how to layer plants for continuous bloom, and tips for planning a garden that is both beautiful and wildlife-friendly. Participants receive a handout with a Moon Garden Native Plant List to help plan their own nighttime landscape.

Stormwater runoff is one of the biggest challenges for both cities and homeowners. This talk explains what stormwater is, how it moves through watersheds, and the impacts it can have on water quality and flooding. Learn how rain gardens using native plants work to slow, filter, and absorb water while also creating habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Real-world examples of installed rain gardens highlight how these features can be practical, beautiful, and beneficial in a wide variety of landscapes.

You don’t have to spend hours tidying your garden to help wildlife thrive. This class shows how simple changes, like leaving seed heads, letting fallen leaves stay in garden beds, and creating brush piles, can make your garden a richer habitat. Learn strategies to reduce chores, plan plantings to limit weeds, and support birds, insects, and small mammals while spending less time working in the garden and more time enjoying it!

Explore what makes a plant native and why natives are essential for your garden. See how they support wildlife, enrich local ecosystems, and are often easier to grow than non-natives. Compare native plants with similar-looking non-native options, and uncover alternatives to commonly overused landscaping plants. A comprehensive handout includes gardening tips, resources, and a list of native plant replacements, making this class valuable for both new and experienced gardeners.

Explore how to save seeds from native plants and garden vegetables to grow a thriving garden year after year. This talk covers plant life cycles, choosing which seeds to save, including open-pollinated, heirloom, and hybrid varieties, and beginner, intermediate, and advanced options for both edible and native plants. Learn how to harvest seeds at the right time, proper storage and labeling. Participants leave with the knowledge and confidence to preserve seeds, build diversity in their garden, and plan for future planting seasons.

Learn how to start a seed library and create a lasting community resource for sharing seeds of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and more. This talk covers how to build your collection through donations, properly organize and store seeds, track varieties, and create a simple system for circulation. We’ll also explore how seed libraries connect people, preserve plant diversity, and encourage sustainable gardening practices. Participants will leave with practical tips and resources, along with real-world examples from the Piqua Seed Library launched in 2020, making it easier than ever to begin and grow a successful seed-sharing network in their own community.

Change starts in your own yard, but it doesn’t have to stop there. This talk explores how native plant gardening can ripple out into your neighborhood, HOA, or community spaces. We’ll discuss common challenges such as resistance to change and how to communicate the value of native landscaping in ways that connect with others. Participants will gain strategies for building support, finding allies, and demonstrating how habitat creation benefits everyone. Whether you want to shift attitudes in your HOA or inspire your town to plant more natives, this program will give you the tools and confidence to make a difference.

Nature isn’t separate from where we live. It’s right outside our doors. This class explores why native plants are essential to healthy ecosystems and how they support the insects, birds, and wildlife we see every day. We’ll look at the problems invasive species create, define what makes certain plants “keystone species,” and highlight fascinating plant-animal interactions you can observe in your own yard or local park. Designed for beginners, this talk will help you see your surroundings in a whole new way.

Create your own unique artwork using flowers, watercolor paper, and a hammer in this hands-on, seasonal art workshop. Learn the basics of flower hammering, including tips on which plant materials work best, techniques for transferring pigments, and ways to design compositions on paper. Participants are encouraged to experiment and explore their creativity, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind. The flowers available will vary by season, adding a natural and dynamic element to every workshop.

Get hands-on experience removing some of Ohio’s most common invasive plant species while learning the tools, techniques, and best practices for effective management. This on-site workshop covers plant identification, safe removal methods, and strategies for preventing regrowth. Participants will gain practical skills to apply in their own yards, gardens, or local green spaces, and learn how to make a meaningful impact in their community by controlling invasive plants. This interactive session is ideal for parks, nature preserves, and gardeners looking to take action and protect native ecosystems.

Learn how to harvest and process native plant seeds in this hands-on workshop. Participants will explore different seed types, harvesting techniques, and methods for cleaning, storing, and labeling seeds for future planting. This workshop requires a site where native plants are accessible and permission to collect seeds, making it ideal for natural areas, gardens, or properties that allow sustainable harvesting. Participants gain practical skills for preserving local plant diversity and creating a seed supply for their own gardens or community projects.

Explore how to start seeds outdoors during the coldest months using simple, low-cost containers such as milk jugs or water bottles. This hands-on workshop covers the benefits of winter sowing, including moisture retention, temperature regulation, and proper air circulation, making it a low-maintenance method for growing healthy seedlings. Participants will discover which seeds work best for winter sowing, how to prepare containers and soil, and tips for monitoring and caring for seedlings throughout the season. Leave with the knowledge and confidence to expand your growing season and successfully start seeds even in the heart of winter.

Experience the beauty and creativity of wreath-making using the abundant colors and textures of local flora. Participants will learn techniques for assembling and arranging materials on sustainable wreath forms made from locally harvested grapevine. All materials are compostable and environmentally friendly, and each participant will create a unique, seasonal wreath to take home. This hands-on workshop provides guidance on design, balance, and incorporating natural elements, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced crafters who want to bring a touch of nature into their home décor.

Join us for a guided walk to admire spring-blooming ephemeral plants, the fleeting native flowers that appear for just a few weeks each year. Participants will learn to identify these delicate plants, understand their lifecycle, and discover the unique habitats they require. This walk offers an opportunity to observe early-season pollinators and appreciate the hidden beauty of our local ecosystems before the landscape fills in for the summer.

Explore Deeply Rooted Landscapes HQ and see firsthand how our nursery team grows plants for native plant sales and garden installations. During the walk, you’ll tour a 2.5-acre prairie planted in 2020, learn about native plant propagation, and see how different plantings support local wildlife. This behind-the-scenes experience is perfect for anyone interested in sustainable landscaping, prairie management, or the practical side of creating native habitats.

Take a stroll to admire the vibrant colors of autumn as deciduous trees and shrubs put on a spectacular seasonal display. Participants will learn about the science behind leaf color changes, the timing of fall foliage, and the role of native plants in supporting wildlife as the seasons change. This walk is a chance to connect with nature, enjoy the crisp fall air, and gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of local landscapes.