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).

Join the Friends of the Botanic Gardens for daily free guided walks.

The knowledgeable volunteer guides run 45 minute themed walks every day at the Botanic Gardens - pick and choose from a wonderful selection or come to them all! Right now, the Gardens is putting on a beautiful spring show so we encourage you to take this opportunity to explore in-depth.

Once or twice a month, the Friends will also run a 90 minute guided walk at Mona Vale Gardens.

Guided tours are free of charge and no bookings are required - just turn up on the day. If you're joining a tour at the Botanic Gardens, meet at the Kiosk by 1.30pm. If you're joining one of the Mona Vale tours, meet by the Rose Garden at 1.30pm. 

See the walk schedule.

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

Discover how to care for your garden tools to ensure they are always in good working order and last longer at this Canterbury Horticultural Society workshop.

Geoff MacMillan of Kiwiflora Nurseries(external link) will be demonstrating how to look after common hand tools, spades, shears and loppers. Under Geoff’s guidance attendees can deconstruct and practice sharpening their own secateurs brought from home.

• The classes are held in The KIOSK at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens (Just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park).
• Free parking is available for the duration.
• Members (CHS and Friends of the Botanic Gardens) are $40, non-members $50.
• Purchase a ticket from the CHS website.(external link)

For more information contact office@chsgardens.co.nz or call 03 366 6937.

Learn how to create multiples of your favourite plant and turn your home garden into your very own garden centre.

Share your plants with friends, swap with neighbours or give away.

Limited to 12 participants to comply with level 2 social distancing guidelines. Please wear a mask.

• The Kiosk, just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park.
• $40 for CHS and Friends members, $50 for the general public.
• Visit the Canterbury Horticultural Society website for more information(external link).

Grow your confidence and kickstart a passion for horticulture in this six session course brought to you by the Canterbury Horticultural Society!

From problems that occur in our garden borders to botany and tips on irrigation, tutor David Milne covers a comprehensive cross section of home horticulture including:

• Plant Functions
  Beginners guide to Botany. The development of a plant from seed. The key components of a plant plus the flower and pollination strategies.
• Soils
  Soils and Growing Medias for garden and potted plants. Discussing soil texture and structure, plus nutrients and fertilisers.
• Pests, Disease & Disorders
  Looking at some of the problems that occur in our garden borders, lawns, vegetable beds and indoors. Control methods will be discussed.
• Plant Propagation
  The chance to increase your plant stock?! Mainly a practical session. Look at the propagation techniques of division and cuttings, using appropriate soil mixes.
• Plant Care
  What to look for in the garden centre and how to nurture. Tips on irrigation, feeding, staking, spraying etc. will be looked at.
• Planting Practical
  Pruning plus lawns (preparation, seed sowing, care and maintenance)

Meet at the Kiosk in the Botanic Gardens (over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park) on Tuesday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 November from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. 

There will also be a practical planting workshop on Saturday 20 November at Richmond Community Garden from 9am to 1pm.

$160 for CHS and Friends members, $192 for non-members. Find out more from the Canterbury Horticultural Society website.(external link)

Contact office@chsgardens.co.nz or 03 366 6937 for more information.

Join the Canterbury Horticultural Society and discover how easy it is to craft your very own eco plant hanger in this beginners macramé workshop.

• Meet at the Kiosk - just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park.
• $40 for CHS and Friends members, $50 for non-members.
• Book tickets online.(external link)

Join the Canterbury Horticultural Society for this intermediate Macramé class. There’ll be music, laughter and all you need to know to craft a wall hanging plant holder!

• Meet at the Kiosk - just over the footbridge from the Armagh Street car park.
• $34 for CHS and Friends members, $40 for non-members.
• Book tickets online.(external link)

An informative talk on home hydroponics with Kane McNeill from Pet and Garden Supplies.

Kane McNeill manages Pet and Garden Supplies(external link), originally a hydroponic business started by his grandfather which has now diversified.

Kane grew up around hydroponics and began working in the shop when he was still at school. His passion has grown with him and to this day he loves problem solving different hydroponics issues, from water quality to a whole host of other environmental factors.

His talk will cover:

• The different systems available on the market
• pH, EC, temperature and the importance of water
• Options for building your own system
• Why hydroponics over soil

This will be followed by a Q & A session and is a great opportunity to learn more before investing in your own system.

• Meet at the Kiosk (over the footbridge from the Botanic Gardens car park off Armagh Street.
• $5 for members of the CHS and Friends, $10 for general public.

Hosted by the Canterbury Horticultural Society.(external link)

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