Events at the Botanic Gardens

Calling all parents, grandparents and caregivers! Bring your preschool aged tamariki into the Christchurch Botanic Gardens to enjoy a simple craft or plant based activity with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.

Stories, toys and colouring-in available too.

• All welcome - no booking needed (caregiver supervision is required).
• Tea and coffee provided.
• Gold coin koha entry
• Runs during School term-time.

Enjoy gardening and nature based activities with your preschooler.

More information available on the Canterbury Horticultural Society Facebook page(external link).

Join this enthusiastic group of children who meet for practical gardening activities and to learn the science of good gardening with the Canterbury Horticultural Society.

If you know a child between 7 and 14 years of age who would be interested in learning more about all sorts of gardening then get in touch with the CHS(external link). 

• Meet at The Kiosk (just over the footbridge from the Armagh St car park).
• Free, but participants must bring their own face mask and gloves for handling potting mix.

Please note that September's meeting will take place at the Lincoln Events Centre on Sunday 27 September at 1pm so children can explore and discuss the Botanical Expo.

Envirokids is a chance to connect kiwi kids to our environmental community and it's free! 

Every Saturday, the Envirohub(external link) will have activities for kids inspired by the mahi (work) of different organisations who work with the environment. Activities available between 10am-3pm every Saturday (even in the holidays!).

• 10am to 3pm every Saturday at the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.
• Children that come regularly can record their learning in a special passbook available once they attend their second event.
• EnviroKids is also an accredited Children's University learning destination so stamps are available for participating children's passports.

Find out more information about EnviroKids(external link) or keep up to date on the EnviroKids Facebook(external link). 

• An opportunity to join an on-going conversation or have a one on one chat.
• Free, no bookings required.
• Drop into the Kiosk anytime between 10.30am and 1pm in the Kiosk, Botanic Gardens.

Find more information about Environmental Chat(external link).

Continue your passion for gardening and horticulture in this popular evening class.

Led by David Milne this intermediate course covers a range of topics from weeds to botany. Among other things, the practical session includes building a compost heap.

Timetable

• Thursday 3 June 5.30pm to 7.30pm Weeds & Control Methods
• Thursday 10 June 5.30pm to 7.30pm Composting
• Thursday 17 June 5.30pm to 7.30pm Plant Classification
• Thursday 24 June 5.30pm to 7.30pm Soils / Botany
• Thursday 1 July 5.30pm to 7.30pm Plant Propagation
• Saturday (Date TBC) 12.30 to 4.30pm Practical

Venue

The Kiosk – Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Conveniently located just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park.

Cost

• $175 ($148 Members - Join the CHS and receive 15% discount)
• Book tickets with the Canterbury Horticultural Society(external link)

Warm your winter with botanic wonders on a free guided walk of Mona Vale Garden Park.

Join the knowledgeable and friendly volunteer guides of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens once a month to see Mona Vale evolve throughout the seasons.

Tours run for 90 minutes, please wrap up warm and wear sturdy footwear as the grounds can be slippery after wet weather.

Guided tours are free of charge and no bookings are required - just turn up on the day. Meet by the Rose Garden car park by 1.30pm.

• Saturday 26 June
• Saturday 31 July
• Saturday 28 August
• Spring dates to be confirmed

If you have any queries about guided walks at Mona Vale or the Botanic Gardens, please contact friendsofthegardens@gmail.com.

Are you new to growing indoor plants?

These concise evening classes provide a general understanding of houseplant health and maintenance with the opportunity to learn more in depth techniques including propagation and the lost art of macramé. Pick and mix which sessions to come along to.

• Macramé: 29 June (this class will run until 9.30pm to accommodate the extra time needed to make the hangers)
  Learn how to make two hangers for trailing plants. One basic design to get you into the swing of it before exploring different knots to allow you to create your own individual design. With handouts and new found skills you will be able to create even more at home.
• General Indoor Plant Maintenance: 6 July
  Understand how to keep your plants healthy and happy. Explore different indoor plant species and their growing medium, light, temperature, water and feeding needs. Learn to identify common pests and diseases and how to combat them.
• Beginners Propagation: 13 July
  Addicted to indoor plants, but don’t have the budget for more plant babies? Learn to propagate and extend your collection for free. From how to sow seeds correctly to taking cuttings, all will be revealed.

The classes are held in The KIOSK at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (Just over the footbridge from the Armagh St carpark). Free parking is available for the duration. Non-members $40, CHS and Friends members $34. Light refreshments included.

Book tickets from the Canterbury Horticultural Society.(external link)

Join the Canterbury Horticultural Society at The Kiosk for a friendly meeting of like-minded gardeners and horticultural enthusiasts.

Every month the Canterbury Horticultural Society Events Committee secures an interesting speaker for the morning and evening meetings. This is followed by ‘Gardening Half Hour’, an informative session hosted by Michael Coulter.

July's speaker is Matt Morris, author of 'Common Ground: Garden Histories of Aotearoa'. While many gardening books focus on the grand plantings of wealthy citizens, Matt explores the historical processes behind 'humble gardens' - those created and maintained by ordinary people.

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• Meet at The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens (Just over the Armagh carpark footbridge)
• Members: $5.00, non-members: $10.00
• Tea, coffee and biscuits included

• Collect your free trail brochure from the Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre or the Kiosk.
• This trail is self guided and children must be accompanied by an adult.
• The trail is approximately 1 km in length and is wheelchair and stroller accessible apart from a small section of stairs when leaving the New Zealand Gardens. An alternative route is available.
• The Botanic Gardens can be muddy and slippery in winter, please wear sturdy shoes or gumboots and make sure to wrap up warm for this outdoor trail.

Join Maritime Archaeologist and Historian Dr Rosanne Hawarden for a fascinating look at her research and findings on Christchurch's connection to Rapa Nui-Easter Island's plants, including Sophoro toromiro (closely related to kowhai) now extinct in the wild.

• The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
• $5 for CHS and Friends members, $10 general public.
• Refreshments included.

Join the Canterbury Horticultural Society at The Kiosk for a friendly meeting of like-minded gardeners and horticultural enthusiasts.

Every month the Canterbury Horticultural Society Events Committee secures an interesting speaker for the morning and evening meetings. This is followed by ‘Gardening Half Hour’, an informative session hosted by Michael Coulter.

August's speaker is Hayley Guglietta who will discuss the regeneration of the Ōtākaro-Avon River Corridor also known as the Residential Red Zone. Hayley lives and breathes Ōtākaro-Avon River regeneration and food security in greater Christchurch - join her to discover some of the wonderful community led projects that are happening.

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• Meet at The Kiosk, Christchurch Botanic Gardens (Just over the Armagh carpark footbridge)
• Members: $5.00, non-members: $10.00
• Tea, coffee and biscuits included

To get involved in volunteering in the Botanic Gardens, join the Friends' of the Botanic Gardens(external link).