Thursday, January 6
12 - 2 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

The benefits of companion planting are numerous, but one of the primary reasons is to help achieve a successful harvest in our harsh desert environment year round.  Many plants assist other plants to grow more productively by providing complimentary pest control, shade, extra nutrients and more. Join this hands-on class to help you become a successful desert gardener. Instructed by founder of Tempe’s FIGG Community Garden, Pam Symth. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Saturday, January 8
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Creosote has long been called the “fragrance of the desert” due to the signature smell we all recognize after a desert rain. Beyond the alluring aromas is creates, creosote has been used by the O’odham for its medicinal properties to treat a variety of ailments. Participants will learn about the creosote and a few of its traditional uses, as well as cautions to observe when deciding to use plants as food or medicine.   Watch and assist in the making of a creosote salve for the skin and nails, and take home a small jar of salve. Instructed by Jacob Butler, Chair of Native Seeds/SEARCH and community gardens coordinator for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Sunday, January 30
11 a.m - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

This class will introduce participants to the traditional tools once widely utilized by O’odham farmers. Today these tools are still used by some members of the four southern tribes of O’odham. The three primary tools are the digging stick, the planting stick and the O’odham Hoe. Attending participants will have the opportunity to learn of their historical usage, how they are made and even plant a small area with the planting stick. Instructed by Jacob Butler, Chair of Native Seeds/SEARCH and community gardens coordinator for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Saturday, January 15
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Composting is one of the best things you can do for your garden and for the environment, but there are so many rules and so many methods. Where do you start? In this class, we will give an overview of what composting is, what it accomplishes, the various methods, and the rules to follow to make your composting journey a success! Instructed by Edmund Williams, founder of LEHR Gardens. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Thursday, January 20
12 - 2 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Want to bring the bees and butterflies to your yard? We can teach you how! Learn how various plants and techniques can attract pollinators to your garden. Tour the garden and explore how to create a conducive environment for our fluttery friends. Instructed by experienced gardener for the Tempe Community Action Agency, Morgan Winburn. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Saturday, January 22
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Did you know many plants can grow from something as simple as a cutting? Propagation is the simple process of growing new plants from the cuttings of plants. Plants naturally produce chemicals known as auxins that help govern the growth of their roots and continual development. Learn which plants propagate more easily than others and how to prepare a cutting with a hands-on demonstration. Use this introductory propagation knowledge to start or expand your collection of plants at home. Instructed by Jacob Butler, Chair of Native Seeds/SEARCH and community gardens coordinator for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Thursday, January 27
12 - 2 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Let’s go back to basics in this this hands-on class as we explore organic growing from beginning to end. From the benefits of using organic soil to the negative impact of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers. Learn about the incredible nutrition and vitamins received when eating organically and what we can do to go back to better gardening practices. Instructed by Jay Barringer, founder of Phoenix Fruit Trees – Edible Landscape and Design. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Saturday, January 29
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Jesús Cuauhtémoc Villa, a curandero, will introduce his family’s ancestral herbalism and healing traditions through an engaging herb walk through the garden. Learn basics of how to identify and gather herbs and how certain herbs can be used to prepare herbal remedies such as teas, infusions and tinctures. Walk away with a better understanding of how to utilize the earth’s natural resources for at-home herbal remedies for common and minor ailments. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Saturday, January 8
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location - Tempe Beach Park
54 W Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281

What’s the best way to grow your Instagram following? Instagram Reels! It’s a great way to create fun video content to share with your friends or anyone on Instagram. Join us at Tempe Town Lake and learn how to make the most out of Instagram Reels outdoors. You’ll be guided through this immersive class on how to create 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, easy-to-use text effects and AR filters. Instructed by multimedia specialist for ASU Deanna Dent. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Sunday, January 9
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Offsite Location – Papago Park
625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Learn how to capture reflections in bodies of water and reflective surfaces in the early morning light at Papago Park. Professional photographers Joanne West and John Marino will share techniques that can be applied using any type of camera but DSLR cameras are more suitable. Explore changing perspectives, varying shutter speed and depth of field to create unique photos. Participants need to be familiar with basic camera settings and bring a lens for wide angle and medium telephoto, zoom lenses in range of 24 to 200mm are ideal. Optional helpful accessories tripod, polarizing filter and cell phone. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Sunday, January 16
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Offsite Location –Papago Park
625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

625 N. Galvin Pkwy. Phoenix, AZ 85008
Explore this perfect course for those new to digital photography, need a refresher or feel overwhelmed with all the features and functions that come with today’s digital cameras. The class focuses on basic principles of digital photography and automatic camera shooting functions. Instructed by Robert McBride. Participants need to bring a digital camera and user guide. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Friday, January 21
2 - 4 p.m.
Offsite Location - Tempe Beach Park
54 W Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281

Take advantage of the stellar, and often times overlooked, video features of your iPhone or iPad to become a mobile cinematographer with the scenic views of Tempe Town Lake. Discover free tools at your fingertips to create artistic videos and master skills to capture all your memorable events in style. Instructed by multimedia specialist for ASU Deanna Dent. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Sunday, January 23
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Offsite Location – Usery Mountain Regional Park
3939 N. Usery Pass Road, Mesa, AZ 85207

Join nature photographer Joanne West for guidance and personal instruction about capturing Saguaros and desert plants at Usery Mountain Regional Park. The park offers stunning mountain vistas, a variety of flora and possibly fauna.  The class covers ideal camera settings for both landscape and plant photography with emphasis on composition and attention to detail. Participants need to be familiar with basic camera settings. All cameras users are welcome but DSLR cameras are encouraged. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Saturday, January 29
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Offsite Location – Papago Park
625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

Join us and learn about the dynamic photography features mobile phones offer. Androids, iPhones and all smart phones are welcome. We’ll explore Papago Park and capture the natural beauty by learning how to create visually interesting selfies, portraits, time lapses and more. Instructed by award-winning digital content creator, social media Influencer and photographer Denisse Benitez-Myrick. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Sunday, January 30
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Offsite Location – Papago Park
625 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008

At its core, photography is the art of recording light, not color. In today’s digital world, presenting a photo in black and white is an intentional aesthetic and creative choice. In this class, learn all about what it takes to turn digital images into dramatic and compelling black and white photographs. Instructed by Robert McBride. Participants will need to bring a digital camera and user guide. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Gain exclusive photography access to Desert Botanical Garden’s exhibit Chihuly in the Desert before and after the Garden opens to the public. Capture the beauty of Chihuly in the Desert during this exclusive opportunity to take photographs of the art exhibition at sunrise, sunset and under the stars. Photographers with all levels of expertise and equipment can enroll and shoot along the Garden trails, using tripods and having unobstructed views of the installation. A photography instructor will be onsite to answer questions and provide tips.
 
Tuesdays | January 4, 11, 18, 25 | 6 - 8 a.m.
Wednesdays | January 5, 12, 19, 26 | 8 - 10 p.m.
Members: $60 | General Public: $75
Price per session. Limited availability. 
 
The exhibition is organized by Desert Botanical Garden in cooperation with Dale Chihuly. The work displayed is protected by copyright and any copying is expressly prohibited. The artist permits and encourages photography of the artwork in Chihuly in the Desert for educational and non-commercial uses only. Sale of images of the Artwork constitutes copyright infringement, including through stock photography or similar websites.

Dale Chihuly Sol del Citrón, 2014 Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, installed 2021 © 2021 Chihuly Studio. All rights reserved. Photo by Nathaniel Willson
 

Friday, January 14
12 - 2 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

Why buy your produce from the grocery store when you can grow it yourself? Join us as we harvest and taste some of the amazing varieties directly from the garden. Learn how you can enjoy your favorite plants for a longer period of time and walk away with easy instructions on how to prepare your own garden grown recipes. Instructed by experienced gardener for the Tempe Community Action Agency, Morgan Winburn. Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.

Friday, January 28
12 - 2 p.m.
Offsite Location – Escalante Community Garden
2150 E. Orange St, Tempe, AZ 85281

If you think weeding is a dreaded chore, then come and discover some edible weeds that will change your perspective from "weeding" into "harvesting".  Join Peggy Sue Sorensen and Mike Clow from The Desert Kitchen as they lead a plant walk through the garden to identify and taste some edible weeds such as Mallow chips and Purslane pickles. Enjoy this unique opportunity to understand our gardens better and to incorporate healthy and FREE plants into our diets! Transportation to the class location is not provided.

For information on the Garden's Student Safety Protocols, please click here.