Current Garden Programs

To view the current version of the garden programs brochure, click here.
 

Second Saturday Garden Walks

The second Saturday of each month
1pm (unless otherwise noted)
Walks begin at the Visitor Center

Join Winterthur's horticulture staff for monthly garden walks highlighting interesting and seldom seen parts of the Winterthur landscape.    

June 8   (8:00 pm) Meadows, Streams, and Ponds (bring your flashlight)

July 13  (8:00 pm) Chimney Swifts on Farm Hill (bring your flashlight)

August 10  (7:00 pm) Sunset from the Train Station (bring your flashlight and prepare for a long walk)

September 14  Garden Architecture and Water Features

October 12  Autumn Color, Flowers, and Fruits

November 9  Late Fall Color in the Garden

December 14  Conifers and the Winter Garden

Learn fascinating, little-known details about the estate with our horticulture staff. Dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Walk lasts about 90 minutes. Members free. Included with admission. In case of inclement weather, an update message will be left at 302.888.4915 after 10:00 am on the day of the walk.

 

Wednesdays at Winterthur

Wednesdays from April–October (except August), 11:30 am

Join us for demonstrations, talks, and guided walks covering a wide range of gardening topics. Programs take place on Wednesdays starting at the Brown Horticulture Learning Center. Visit Wednesdays at Winterthur for dates, titles, and detailed descriptions of each program. Members free. Included with admission.

 

Garden Workshops & Talks

Vegetable Gardening Month by Month with H. G. Haskell
“Root Crops, Early Greens, and Peas”
Friday, March 1
2:00– 3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
Join us each month for a workshop with local farmer H.G. Haskell and learn from the best on how to raise your own vegetables. This month we’ll feature root crops and early greens and peas and will offer a takeaway plant to get you started.  $10 per Member. $20 per nonmember.

“Starting on Warm Season Veggies”
Friday, April 5
2:00–3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
This month we’ll continue with root crops and early greens and peas and make suggestions on starting your warm season veggies. Class includes a takeaway plant to get your garden started. $10 per Member. $20 per nonmember.

“Corn, Tomatoes, and Squash”
Friday, May 3
2:00–3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
It is about time to put those warm-season vegetables outside. Learn how to make the most from your corn, tomatoes, and squash this season. Class includes a starter plant to get you going. $10 per Member. $20 per nonmember.

“Tips for Getting Your Vegetable Garden in Full Swing”
Friday, June 7
2:00–3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
Your vegetable garden should be in full swing by now, but if it’s not, don’t worry, we’ll give you some tips to get it going. Class includes a takeaway plant to add to your vegetable patch. $10 per Member. $20 per nonmember.

 

Volunteering in the Winterthur Garden
Friday, March 29 & Saturday, April 13
9:30–10:30 am, Brown Learning Center
Are you interested in learning more about gardening and about Winterthur? Join us for this introduction to volunteering in the Winterthur Garden led by staff members and current volunteers. Free. Call 302.888.4600, ext. 7029 to register.

Walking and Running at Winterthur
Friday, April 19, 1:30–3:30 pm
Saturday, May 11, 10:00 am–12:00 noon
Brown Learning Center
Winterthur is a fantastic place to walk and run, with 10 miles of roads, nearly 1,000 acres of scenery, and readily accessible staff and amenities. Learn how to make the most of walking and running on this famous country estate. Our introduction will include a review of paths and roads, maps, and a list of resources and tips for making the most of your time on the property.  Free. Membership card or registration required.

Peonies in the Winterthur Garden
Wednesday, May 15
1:30– 3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
Enjoy the spectacle of Winterthur’s peonies in bloom while you learn how to select, plant, and care for these remarkable plants. Class will include the essentials of peony history and cultivation and will include a peony for every participant. Class takes place indoors and in the field. $25 per Member. $35 per nonmember.

Chickens: The New Garden Ornament
Friday, May 24
1:30–3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
Several Winterthur staff have taken to raising chickens in their backyards – and not just for the eggs. Discover why our chicken-loving staff got interested in poultry, how they learned about raising them, and what resources are available for would-be backyard farmers. $10 per Member. $20 per nonmember.

Building a Stone Path: Masonry Workshop with Winterthur’s Stonemasons
Friday, June 14
1:00–4:00 pm, Brown Learning Center
Learn the ins and outs of building a dry fieldstone or slate path, including how to pick your stone, prepare a base, organize and lay out the stone, and then install it so that it stays put. Our expert staff will share their insights and make sure you understand how to get started SAFELY with your own projects. $75 per Member. $100 per nonmember.

Ferns to Know and Grow
Wednesday, June 19
1:30–3:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
Ferns are such versatile plants. They can be used as groundcover plants in difficult situations, and they can also be featured as exquisite specimens in a shade or woodland garden. Class will include the basics of fern botany and cultivation, an introduction to the best ferns for our area, and a fern for every participant. Class takes place indoors and in the field.  $25 per member. $35 per nonmember.

Discovering Streams
Saturday, June 22
1:00–2:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
The streams in our neighborhoods are teaming with life and are essential reservoirs of biological diversity. Learn about the basic flora and fauna of a stream and discover how your garden and your neighborhood can positively affect the health of your local streams. $20 per Member. $35 per nonmember.

Seed Saving with Happy Cat Farm
Wednesday, June 26
1:00–2:30 pm, Brown Learning Center
Once upon a time, all gardeners and farmers were seed savers. In this class you will learn the how to save vegetable seeds and why. After this workshop, you will be equipped to start some seed saving of your own. $20 per Member. $35 per nonmember.

Family Fun Garden Workshops

Making a Bottle Gourd Birdhouse
Thursday, August 8
2:00–3:00 pm, Brown Horticulture Learning Center

Construct a birdhouse that will attract a wren to your garden. Please wear work clothes. Registration required. Limit 10 families (children 7–14 years old). $15 per child.

Making a Terrarium
Thursday, August 15
2:00–3:00 pm, Brown Horticulture Learning Center

Learn how to plant a simple terrarium that will grow in a bright location in your house. Registration required. Limit 10 families (children ages 7–14). $20 per child.

Making a Mason Bee Box
Thursday, August 22
2:00–3:00 pm, Brown Horticulture Learning Center

Mason bees are native pollinators of fruit trees and flowers. Learn how to make a bee box from recycled materials. Registration required. Limit 10 families (children ages 7–14). $10 per child.

*Call 800.448.3883 to register for workshops.

*For information on floral arranging workshops in the Brown Center, visit the adult programming page.
 

 

 

 

Garden Glimpses

Saturdays and Sundays, April–June, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm

Enjoy a 20–minute guided stroll through the Reflecting Pool garden. Explore its elegant history, its design, and see what's in bloom today. Meet your guide in the Galleries Reception Area. Please note: we will not hold the program on the following days, June 15, 29 & 30. Weather permitting. Members free. Included with admission.

Farmstand

Farmstand Opening!
July 3, 2:00–6:00 pm, in front of the Museum Store at the Cottage
There will be a special opening for the Winterthur Farmstand to help Members and guests get ready for fourth of July celebrations. SIW Vegetables will be on hand with all of your favorite summer picnic foods, including fresh corn and tomatoes. Parking will be available behind the Cottage near the Post Office.

For the remainder of the summer, the Farmstand will be located in front of the Museum Store at the Cottage. Visit us on Thursdays beginning July 17 through the end of September, 2:00–6:00 pm to select the best fresh produce SIW Vegetables has to offer. Parking is available behind the cottage near the Winterthur Post Office.
 

Estate Tour

Wednesdays, June through September, 4:30 pm

Visit the former dairy and farm while exploring the ever-changing estate landscape on this narrated tram tour. Hear accounts of estate history as you see how we have repurposed historic work areas. Glimpse behind the scenes on this tour led by a specially-trained guide. The 45-minute tour will leave from the east circle near the Dorrance Gallery. Reservations recommended by 4:00 pm, $5 per person upgrade, members free, capacity of 40, weather permitting, handicapped-accessible, recommended for adults.

KIDS GROW Children’s Vegetable Garden

Saturdays, June 8–August 3, 8:00 am

This course introduces children ages 6–12 to the excitement of growing their own garden. Members only; free. Call 302.888.4779 to reserve a spot.