The Kelmarna Gardens Workshop Programme strives to offer enriching experiences for people of all backgrounds and experience levels, to engage with a range of topics delivered by acclaimed presenters, connecting our communities with skills-based, hands-on learning in nature.

Scroll below to check out the current listings for dates and details on upcoming workshops. You can also sign up to receive our monthly e-newsletter, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date. We can't wait to see you in the garden! Kia ora!
Private Group Bookings

See a session that you like? Already have a group of friends, family, or workmates ready to go? Get in touch to book a private workshop session for your group!

Private workshops are available for groups of adults and accompanied children, with group size, pricing, and specific requirements dependent on the session topic and presenter. Please fill out the Group Workshop form below to submit an enquiry for your squad!
Our Workshop Schedule
October 2021
Raranga for Beginners​

​Weaving with Harakeke
Annie Jane Ah Mu (AKL Council / ACE Program)
Join celebrated weaving tutor Annie Jane Ah Mu to learn the basic techniques of traditional Mahi Raranga, the Māori art of weaving with harakeke flax.

​This beginner course is an introduction to weaving that will guide you through the history, customs, and best horticulture practices around working with harakeke, and the skills to come away with a host of craft creations to take home and share!
Sunday 10 October 2021

​10am - 1pm
​​
​$45 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Organic Gardening Basics
​
Part 3 of 6 - Fruit Trees & Pruning
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Starting at the beginning with choosing the best fruit trees for your garden, this session will teach you how to care for new and existing fruit trees for optimal production, including the theory and practice of both pruning and tree training.

This 6 part Organic Gardening Basics course with Judy Keats will teach you all the basics to successfully grow organic food at home. Perfect for newbie gardeners or anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in the garden with an expert tutor in organics. 
Saturday 16 October 2021

​9.30am - 12.30pm
​​
Whole Course
​$200 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Single Session
$50 + Humanitix fee
​( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Mushrooms in Containers 101

Sunday Morning Session
Ellen Schindler (Tiny Footprint)
Join us at Kelmarna Gardens for this crash course in growing NZ native oyster mushrooms. This three-hour session with Ellen Schindler (Tiny Footprint) includes the materials and instruction to guide you step-by-step through the process of setting up a container with NZ native oyster mushrooms and allows you to come away not only with a finished container but also the skills and confidence to keep up the good work at home on your own!
Sunday 17 October 2021

​9.30am - 12.30pm
​​
​$68 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
​concession rate available
Mushrooms in Containers 101

Sunday Afternoon Session
Ellen Schindler (Tiny Footprint)
Added to meet popular demand, here's another opportunity to join us at Kelmarna Gardens for this crash course in growing NZ native oyster mushrooms! 

This three-hour session with Ellen Schindler (Tiny Footprint) includes the materials and instruction to guide you step-by-step through the process of setting up a container with NZ native oyster mushrooms and allows you to come away with a finished container to take home and get growing!
Sunday 17 October 2021

​1.30pm - 4.30pm
​​
​$68 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
​concession rate available
Organic Gardening Basics
​
Part 4 of 6 - Weed Management
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Covering annual weeds, noxious weeds, and making weed brews. Get familiar with beneficial and invasive weeds, and learn how to manage them both organically to actually enhance the nutrition of your garden.

This 6 part Organic Gardening Basics course with Judy Keats will teach you all the basics to successfully grow organic food at home. Perfect for newbie gardeners or anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in the garden with an expert tutor in organics. 
Saturday 23 October 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
Whole Course
​$200 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Single Session
$40 + Humanitix fee
​( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Edible Garden Design (2-Part Course)

​PART 1 - Understanding Permaculture & Your Site
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
​The first part is a crash course on permaculture design principles to familiarise you with the concepts and tools to approach your space and help draft an effective landscape design uniquely suited to your site. You will use this framework to answer specific questions and return for Part 2 with a fresh perspective and the info you need to create your concept design.

This is the first of a 2-part permaculture design series.
Sunday 24 October 2021

​9.30am - 1pm
​​
​$135 + Humanitix fee
( includes Parts 1 & 2 )

Community Services Card concession rate available
Edible Aotearoa, with Mamakan (Morning)
​
Spring Selection - Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka
Mamakan (Mamakan Studio / Arcuna)
Do you see food when you stroll through the NZ bush? Join botanical artist and 'gastrogeographer' Mamakan for this introductory foraging course, designed to bring you closer to the seasonal flora of New Zealand, including a bush walk and tastings, to help uncover the amazing edible environment unique to Aotearoa.
​
Every 'Edible Aotearoa' session focuses on a seasonal selection of plant species that are at their best for the current time of year. This October workshop features Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka. Click 'More Info & Tickets' to learn more!
Wednesday 27 October 2021

​10am - 11.30am
​​
​$55 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Edible Aotearoa, with Mamakan (Afternoon)
​
Spring Selection - Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka
Mamakan (Mamakan Studio / Arcuna)
Do you see food when you stroll through the NZ bush? Join botanical artist and 'gastrogeographer' Mamakan for this introductory foraging course, designed to bring you closer to the seasonal flora of New Zealand, including a bush walk and tastings, to help uncover the amazing edible environment unique to Aotearoa.
​
Every 'Edible Aotearoa' session focuses on a seasonal selection of plant species that are at their best for the current time of year. This October workshop features Tarata, Mamaku & Kānuka. Click 'More Info & Tickets' to learn more!
Wednesday 27 October 2021

​12.30pm - 2pm
​​
​$55 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Edible Garden Design (2-Part Course)

​PART 2 - Species Selection & Your Conceptual Design
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
The second part is focused on crafting a conceptual design for your site using systems-based processes. Work with Judy to choose plants by putting together a list of plants that work best in your space and create a site map to lay out where they can be planted. You will come away with a draft conceptual design to help you move forward with transforming your site into the inspiring, regenerative, and edible space of your dreams!

This is the second of a 2-part permaculture design series.
Sunday 31 October 2021

​9.30am - 1pm
​​
​$135 + Humanitix fee
​( includes Parts 1 & 2 )

Community Services Card concession rate available
November 2021
Organic Gardening Basics
​
Part 5 of 6 - Gardening with the Seasons
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
By working with the seasons, we can maximise production in our gardens year round.  This session will cover what plants to sow when, seed selection, seasonal garden management, and how to effectively plan your garden.

This 6 part Organic Gardening Basics course with Judy Keats will teach you all the basics to successfully grow organic food at home. Perfect for newbie gardeners or anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in the garden with an expert tutor in organics. 
Sunday 7 November 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
Whole Course
​$200 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Single Session
$40 + Humanitix fee
​( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
Common Ground

​Garden Histories of Aoteaora
Matt Morris (Author / University of Canterbury)
Author and community gardens activist Matt Morris talks about his new book Common Ground: Garden Histories of Aotearoa, in which he explores the history of New Zealand gardens from the first waka to today.

Find out more about Matt's ground-breaking work, ask questions of the author, and take the opportunity to come away with a copy of this beautiful book!
Saturday 13 November 2021

2pm - 3.30pm
​​
​Pay-What-You-Want

Proceeds support the Kelmarna
Gardens Education Programme
Beginner Home Gardening
Yotam Kay (Pakaraka Permaculture)
Come and learn everything you need to know to grow nutritious food for you, your family and community. In this comprehensive workshop with Yotam Kay (Pakaraka Permaculture ), we will cover all the essential topics that will help you grow a productive vegetable garden.

​No prior knowledge or experience is needed!
Saturday 13 November 2021

​9am - 4pm

Full Day Session​​
​$165 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )
Advanced Home Gardening
Yotam Kay (Pakaraka Permaculture)
To have a super productive garden is to do a lot of small things very well. Come and sharpen your skills in this comprehensive workshop for experienced gardeners with accomplished organic gardener and permaculturist Yotam Kay (Pakaraka Permaculture).
​
Whether you've been growing for 2, 3, or 10 seasons, there will be loads to learn from Yotam's professional experience, so bring a notebook, a pen, and all of your vegetable gardening questions!
Sunday 14 November 2021

​9am - 4pm

Full Day Session​​
​$165 + Humanitix fee
​( only a few left! )
Growing & Blending Herbal Teas
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Explore the possibilities for growing herbal teas and learn everything you need to know to get started at home. You will forage for herbs, learn about cultivation and drying methods, explore medicinal benefits, brew your own blend of flavours, and finally choose two seedlings to take home with you to get started growing the ingredients on your own!
Saturday 20 November 2021

​10am - 12.30pm
​​
​$40 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
​concession rate vailable
Raranga for Beginners​

​Weaving with Harakeke
Annie Jane Ah Mu (AKL Council / ACE Program)
Join celebrated weaving tutor Annie Jane Ah Mu to learn the basic techniques of traditional Mahi Raranga, the Māori art of weaving with harakeke flax.

​This beginner course is an introduction to weaving that will guide you through the history, customs, and best horticulture practices around working with harakeke, and the skills to come away with a host of craft creations to take home and share!
Saturday 27 November 2021

​10am - 1pm
​​
​$45 + Humanitix fee

Community Services Card
concession rate available​
December 2021
Organic Gardening Basics
​
Part 6 of 6 - Natural Pest Control & Insectories
Judy Keats (Kelmarna Gardens)
Focusing on the health of plants by increasing plant diversity, you will learn effective methods to protect plants using physical barriers, and biological solutions for common pests and diseases.

This 6 part Organic Gardening Basics course with Judy Keats will teach you all the basics to successfully grow organic food at home. Perfect for newbie gardeners or anyone wanting to improve their knowledge and skills in the garden with an expert tutor in organics. 
Saturday 4 December 2021

​10am - 12pm
​​
Whole Course
​$200 + Humanitix fee
( SOLD OUT )

Single Session
$40 + Humanitix fee
​( SOLD OUT )

Community Services Card
concession rate available​

Private Group Workshop Booking
Please fill out the form below, and we'll be in touch!
For enquiries, get in touch with our Education Manager, Sean, at education@kelmarnagardens.nz