Learn from skilled instructors hailing from local Master Gardeners, area plant societies, and Cheekwood’s own in-house experts!
All current class offerings are listed below. Please check back seasonally for new opportunities.
These classes and workshops are for participants 18 years old and older only. Minors should not be brought into classrooms and other instructional areas.
Are you interested in teaching at Cheekwood? Please submit a class proposal!
Class Proposal Form
The Cheekwood Gardening School is presented by
Orchids at Cheekwood Classes
Orchids 101
January 25 | 9:30 AM
Learn about the diverse types of orchids, their unique growing requirements, and basic care techniques to help these stunning plants thrive and gain the confidence to start your own orchid collection at home.
Instructor
Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Waitlist
Caring for Tennessee’s Most Common Orchids
January 25 | 12 PM
Discover the secrets to nurturing Tennessee’s most popular orchids. Learn tailored care techniques, including watering, light requirements, and repotting, to keep your Phalaenopses (or “moth orchids”) thriving year-round. This class is great for beginner orchid enthusiasts as these are some of the easiest orchids to grow.
Instructor
Tom Harper, The Orchid Society of Middle TN
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Orchids 201
February 8 | 9:30 AM
Take your orchid knowledge to the next level with our intermediate class, designed for those ready to dive deeper into orchid care. Explore advanced topics such as fertilization schedules, pest management, and troubleshooting common growing challenges.
Instructor
John Cranshaw and Mike Rollinger, The Orchid Society of Middle TN
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
The History of Roses
February 8 | 12 PM
Uncover the rich history of roses and explore how these iconic flowers came to symbolize love and affection. Dive into their cultural significance, from ancient mythology to modern romance, and learn why roses have captivated hearts and gardens throughout history.
Instructor
Susan Lyell, Restoration Rose
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Orchid Repotting Techniques
February 15 | 9:30 AM
Acquire the essential skills to repot your orchids with confidence including the best potting mediums to use and tips for ensuring healthy roots and vibrant blooms.
Instructor
Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Orchid Conservation and Sustainability Practices
February 15 | 12 PM
Explore strategies for protecting orchids and their natural habitats, including the challenges orchids face in the wild, the importance of ethical cultivation, and sustainable growing techniques you can implement at home.
Instructor
John Cranshaw, The Orchid Society of Middle TN
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Orchids: Common Pests and Diseases
February 22 | 9:30 AM
Learn to identify, prevent, and treat the most frequent issues affecting orchids, from pests like scale and mealybugs to fungal and bacterial infections.
Instructor
Mike Rollinger, The Orchid Society of Middle TN
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Cheekwood in Bloom Classes
Gardening Checklist: Prepping Your Spring Beds
March 15 | 9:30 AM
Get your garden ready for the season with step-by-step instructions for how to clean, amend, and prepare your soil for successful planting this Spring.
Instructor
Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Organic Pest Control Strategies
March 15 | 12 PM
Discover eco-friendly methods to prevent and manage pests, from how to make natural repellents to companion planting, ensuring a healthy start for your spring beds.
Instructor
Madeline Roberson
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Supporting Native Pollinators
March 29 | 9:30 AM
Learn how to attract and sustain bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by incorporating native plants and creating pollinator-friendly habitats.
Instructor
Ian Dawe, The Honey Collective
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Spring Vegetable Gardening
March 29 | 12 PM
Grow your own fresh produce this year with expert strategies for planting, tending, and harvesting a variety of vegetables suited for the spring season.
Instructor
James Hearn, Master Gardeners of Middle TN
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Designing with Spring Annuals
April 5 | 9:30 AM
Discover how to select, arrange, and care for spring annuals to create stunning flower beds, containers, and borders and add vibrant color to your garden this season.
Instructor
Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Organic Pest Control Strategies
April 5 | 12 PM
Discover eco-friendly methods to prevent and manage pests, from how to make natural repellents to companion planting, ensuring a healthy start for your spring beds.
Instructor
Madeline Roberson
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Ask a Gardener: Native Plants
April 12 | 9:30 AM
Join members of Cheekwood’s gardening staff for a more individualized course on Native Plants. Bring questions about your own garden and let our team members guide your strategy for the planting season.
Instructor
Sage McClain and Sean Stoyko, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Ask a Gardener: Landscape Design Strategies
April 12 | 10:45 AM
Join members of Cheekwood’s gardening staff for a more individualized course on Landscape Design. Bring questions about your own garden and let our team members guide your strategy for the planting season.
Instructor
Sage McClain and Sean Stoyko, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Ask a Gardener: Eco-friendly Gardening
April 12 | 12 PM
Join members of Cheekwood’s gardening staff for a more individualized course on Eco-friendly Gardening. Bring questions about your own garden and let our team members guide your strategy for the planting season.
Instructor
Sage McClain and Sean Stoyko, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Designing with Trees: The Carell Dogwood Garden
April 26 | 9:30 AM
Get some Arbor Day inspiration for your garden landscape with a guided tour through Cheekwood’s Carell Dogwood Garden. Learn about the incredible diversity of the dogwood family and gain insight into how to protect, design with, and care for these incredible plants.
Instructor
Peter Grimaldi, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
The Nashville Tree Canopy
April 26 | 12 PM
Explore the importance of urban forestry in Nashville by discovering the benefits trees provide to Nashville’s environment, the challenges facing the city’s canopy, and how you can contribute to its growth and preservation. Perfect for nature enthusiasts and community advocates alike!
Instructor
Sage McClain, Cheekwood
Location
The Courtyard Classroom
Not Yet Members: $40
Members: $32
Register
Cancellation Policy for All Series
Refund requests must be submitted to [email protected] 72 hours prior to the program’s start date and time. The registration fee will be refunded less a ten percent processing charge.
Fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable on and after the program’s start date. Cheekwood cannot refund fees requested on or after the start date of a program or for sessions missed due to illness or other personal situations.