Although we have a set schedule of programs if your group would like to schedule an additonal class, please ask. We hope you find something which interests you. 

Check back often or sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss something.

We are also adding a few new classes this year including several cooking classes with a guest chef from The Homestead and Photography in the garden with a professional photographer.  

We are presently planning on a Vermicomposting class in August and the date will be posted shortly. This will be the third session of this class this summer.  Learn how worms "eat your garbage". Red Wigglers are the ultimate recyclers. As they eat your kitchen refuse they produce an amazing by-product, castings, which is an organic fertilizer for your plants. In this workshop you will make a bin to take home(complete with worms), learn you how to feed and manage your worms to produce castings.
This family friendly activity is a great lesson in recycling and unlike an outdoor compost area, allows you to compost year round. Why not let the worms recycle your garbage into a usable product which your plants will love?

Saturday Sept. 11, Pesto making  10:00-11:30-Want to know what to do with all that Basil and herbs you have been growing all summer? Learn how to make the perfect pesto and using our recipes you can enjoy fresh pesto all winter long. Come hungry since you will be tasting your creations and take home three different types of pesto you create . Lots of other recipes will be available too! Class begins at 1:00 but come early and enjoy the herbs in the gardens.
This class is $15.00 per person, bring your friends and have a girls day out. 

Saturday Sept . 11 Herbs 101-from 1:00-2:30 - Learn the basics of how to grow your own herbs. What do herbs need, can they be incorporated into your landscape and once you have planted them what do you do with them? These are many of the questions which will be answered in this informative class. In addition, learn how to harvest and store those wonderful herbs to use all winter long. Propagation and pruning tips will be included- learn how to cut back and make FREE plants for your garden. This class will be $15.00 and you will take home some cuttings from our gardens. 

Wed., Sept 15th- Painting with Watercolors-Fresh and Rich 10:00-4:00

Andrea Morrison is no stranger to Beagle Ridge. Andrea lives in Ararat, VA and has paintings hanging in various galleries in the region. She has painted several garden scenes of Beagle Ridge and her talents are well known. An accomplished artist and teacher, Andrea will be joining us again for a fall workshop. Workshops will be geared to the participants, cover basics but will also challenge the experienced artist.

For beginning painters through advanced.  Participants will bring any watercolor paint, paper, brushes, palettes, etc.  they may already have.  Supplies provided by instructor for anyone wishing them for a $5 fee.

Workshop will cover color mixing, composition and various application techniques in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere.  Painting outdoors will be an option.  Minimum 6 participants. $40 per person.  Late elementary aged children with an adult are welcome. Lunch will be available upon request.

Saturday Sept. 18, Monarch Tagging and Butterfly release 10:30-11:30 Butterfly Release/Monarch Tagging at Flying Flowers, Southwestern VA's only walk through Butterfly House. Visitors will catch a Monarch and tag it as part of Monarch Watch, a program set up by the University of Kansas. This tag and the data collected allows it to be monitored on its migration to Mexico. 
Visitors will then release the Monarch from Flying Flowers as part of the activity. The structure is home to butterflies native to Virginia and all the necessary plants to sustain them. Monarchs, Swallowtails, Frittilaries and Dianas are a few of the inhabitants which will pose for your camera or land on your shoulder while strolling through the house. 
Tours and school groups are welcome by appointment- email ellen at beagleridge@gmail.com 
Cost is $10.00 for adults children with adults free. Registration is required. 

Saturday, Sept 18- Make Herbal Vinegars and Oils-1:00-2:30  As we approach harvest time why not make up herbal oils and vinegars to capture the flavors of those fresh grown herbs and enjoy them all winter long. 
Can anything beat the taste of a good Tarragon vinegar or a Basil oil on pasta in the middle of winter? We will make several types and then you will experiment to create that perfect blend for yourself. Bring some containers and take home an oil and a vinegar ( remember these make great Christmas gifts). Registration is required, $15.00 a piece and take home what you created.
Class begins at 1:00 but come early and enjoy the herb gardens. Bring some friends and have a girls day out.

Wednesday, Sept 22-  Cooking with Herbs: Cooking class with  Cathy- an amazing woman who cooks at the Homestead in Hot Springs. She will be demonstrating all sorts of cooking tips but in addition she will make a complete meal in front of you - which of course you will get to enjoy. This class will be $22.50 but you will have a delicious meal , and take home a goodie bag, extras to share at home and lots of recipes.

Saturday, Sept 25- Digital Photography in the garden 10:00-1:00 Bring your camera and join  Jon Beard at Beagle Ridge for a morning in the garden, learning techniques to capture a perfect picture. Jon is an amazing photographer and we are thrilled he will come teach a class for us ( yes I am taking the class too). Bring your camera and operating manual and we will provide laptops and even a printer as Jon demonstrates how to use light,  composition of the subject, and how best to use your camera.            Registration is required. $35.00 apiece

Making a Garden journal with Amy Lynne-Make a journal for all your musings from the garden. Learn scrapbooking techniques to create that one of a kind collection of observations. Amy will provide all materials and price is TBA.

 Scroll down to see pictures form several of our past classes in 2009.

Christmas Wreath Class- Dec. 4th  Take a LIVE balsam wreath and decorate it for Christmas and beyond. These wreaths will dry naturally and you will be able to use them for years, yes years. The Balsam will naturally turn a fabulous shade of brown, the needles will not shed and you will have a "decorator"wreath which will be the envy of your friends. Not your average christmas wreath!  $30.00 per person- all materials included

Here are two friends who made this wreath last year and below I have a wreath after several years. Yes the same type of wreath and it doesn't shed.

Here is my wreath, made over 10 years ago from the same type of wreath.

This was a balsam wreath which I decorated with pine cones, some fall leaves for a natural look, and some hydrangea and as it dried it turned to this gorgeous shade.It has become a year round decoration. It is on the wall in the shop and everyone is amazed that it is real and ALL natural.

Andrea Morrison is no stranger to Beagle Ridge. Andrea lives in Ararat, VA and has paintings hanging in various galleries in the region. She has painted several garden scenes of Beagle Ridge and her talents are well known. An accomplished artist and teacher, Andrea will be joining us agin next year for a spring and fall workshop. Workshops will be geared to the participants, cover basics but will also challenge the experienced artist.

Topics for programs - if your group needs a speaker and a place to hold their meeting, let Beagle Ridge provide both, plus lunch in the garden.  Yes, ask about our Lunch in the Garden for your next group outing.

The following list of topics are some of the many programs we can provide, either at the farm or at your venue.

If you don't find what you are looking for let us know and we will try to accomodate.

“Perennials & Annuals" - Which plants to select for long season color in the garden

“Backyard Composting" - The do's and dont's of composting landscape wastes

"Vermicomposting"- learn all about the lowly worm and how they create the ultimate organic fertilizers. Ask about our workshop to  make a bin and take home red wigglers to create your own castings.

Growing Gourmet Garlic- Learn all about the "Stinking Rose", how to grow, what types are appropriate for the area, how to harvest and most of all how to cook garlic.

Lavender, Lavender, Lavender- If you have ever killed Lavender- this class is for you. Learn to grow, harvest and then use fabulous Lavender. 

  
“Bulbs, Corms & Tubers" - Learn the difference between bulbs, corms and tuners and how to care for each

“Herbs 101-planting, care and the use of common and unusual herbs

“Herbs”- The 10 must have herbs for your gardens

“Organic Gardening Concepts" - How to grow vegetables, flowers and herbs without the use of chemical pesticides

“Plant Propagation" – How to get free plants- propagation methods for the home gardener

“Trough Sink Gardening" – A demonstration of how to build, plant & place your own trough garden

“Raised Bed Gardening" - How to produce a bountiful harvest with limited space using raised beds, vertical gardening, double-digging and crop rotation

“Honey Bees; Plant Pollinators" - Learn why bees are important insects to have around your garden & how you can encourage them to visit your garden

“Right Tree, Right Place" - Selecting the right tree for your garden landscape to minimize future problems

"The Language of Flowers' - Say it with flowers, every flower has a separate meaning

“Butterfly gardening" - Creating the right landscape environment to attract butterflies or moths

“Container Gardening" - Enjoy gardening without bending or digging, by planting container gardens for your porch or deck

“Water Basics: Planning Your Pond”- Learn what you should know before digging a back yard pond

“Water Gardening “– the Natural way- No pumps, no chemicals and no algae- Learn how to have a low maintenance and wonderful water garden