Events

Garden for the Environment

Garden for the Environment (GFE) will offer the following workshops and events in November and December 2025. All will be at Garden for the Environment, San Francisco’s teaching garden, 1590 7th Avenue (at Lawton). Founded in 1990, GFE offers informative, hands-on workshops on most Saturdays that teach Bay Area residents how to grow climate-appropriate gardens and food, make compost, and conserve water. We hope you’ll join us for some of these terrific learning opportunities—we’re excited to have you in the garden! 

NOTE: Our greenhouse and lower tool shed are currently being demolished and rebuilt. Construction should be completed by the end of November or early December. We will continue GFE programming during this time. 

Workshops will be in the South Classroom. Please enter through the south and southwest entrances for them. 

For volunteer hours, we will congregate in the Victory Garden area for check-in. Please access this space from our northwest and northeast entrances. 

We will be closed for public hours on Wednesday, November 26th and Saturday, November 29th for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will also be closed for winter break from December 18th through January 2nd, 2026. Our first day back will be on Saturday, January 3rd.

For more information, visit our website at www.gardenfortheenvironment.org.

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER DAYS AND WORKSHOPS:

Educational Volunteer Hours

When: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am - 3pm
Cost: Free
Registration required! Register at bit.ly/gfevolunteershifts

Join us in the garden on Wednesdays and Saturdays to help with garden maintenance tasks. You’ll work alongside staff and fellow volunteers on a range of activities like composting, vegetable planting and harvesting, pruning, and weeding. The best way to learn is by doing, and we promise you’ll learn a lot working in the garden with us. Bring lunch and picnic with us at noon! 

* Bring your own gardening gloves. See additional requirements on the registration page. 

Urban Composting 

When: Saturday, November 1st, 10am - 12pm (You can also register for additional dates in 2025!)
Cost: Free! 
Register: bit.ly/gfecompost25

Learn how to make your very own compost! The backbone of every healthy garden, compost improves all soil types and can be the difference between success and failure with many plants. In this class, we will teach you how to make compost in your backyard, and introduce you to our worms that make their own special fertilizer. We will also give you tips on using your city compost bin. Come learn what you can do to improve your garden and prevent organic waste from ending up in the landfill.

Grow Your Own Food

When: Saturday, November 8th, 10am - 12pm
Cost: Reduced: $25; Regular: $37; Full: $50
Register: bit.ly/gfegrowfood25

Learn to take full advantage of the unique gardening climate in San Francisco, where you can grow your own fruits and vegetables year-round! Join us throughout the seasons for our Grow Your Own Food workshop. In September, you'll learn how to prepare your garden for the cool and rainy season and harvest the fruits of your summer garden.

Making a Rainwater Harvesting System 

When: Saturday, November 15th, 10am - 12pm
Cost: $10 - but you'll get a $10 gift card for attending the workshop. Sponsored by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Register: bit.ly/gferainwaterautumn25

San Francisco's rainy season is here and every drop counts, especially with the recurring drought in our area. Learn how to easily and safely capture rainwater to use in your garden or home. In this workshop, you’ll learn what to consider and where to start for constructing systems as simple as a single barrel under a downspout, or as complicated as an indoor plumbing system for toilet flushing. Keep precious rainwater out of the sewer and keep money in your pocket by harvesting the water that lands on your roof.

Holiday Wreathmaking 

When: Saturday, November 15th, 10am – 12pm
Cost: Reduced: $55; Regular: $67; Full: $80
Register: bit.ly/gfeholidaywreaths25

‘Tis the season for GFE’s annual holiday wreathmaking session! Join garden educators Carey Craddock and Jordan Kushins for this perennial favorite, which includes a festive walk through Garden for the Environment to gather beautiful seasonal flowers and greens, then time to create a vibrant holiday wreath to take home—or gift to your favorite host! 

DIY Holiday Cards and Botanical Presses 

When: Saturday, November 15th, 1 – 3pm
Cost: Reduced: $55; Regular: $67; Full: $80
Register: bit.ly/gfeholidaycrafts25

Join garden educators Carey Craddock and Jordan Kushins for a festive afternoon making thoughtful projects inspired by nature. Together we’ll tour GFE for cuttings, then learn how to use our harvest to create a set of leaf- and flower-printed cards, and a portable botanical press. You’ll leave this hands-on session with gifts to give or keep, and full of fresh ideas and holiday spirit.

Urban Composting 

When: Saturday, December 6th, 10am - 12pm (You can also register for additional dates in 2025!)
Cost: Free! 
Register: bit.ly/gfecompost25

Learn how to make your very own compost! The backbone of every healthy garden, compost improves all soil types and can be the difference between success and failure with many plants. In this class, we will teach you how to make compost in your backyard and introduce you to our worms that make their own special fertilizer. We will also give you tips on using your city compost bin. Come learn what you can do to improve your garden and prevent organic waste from ending up in the landfill.

Growing A Garden: Where to Start 

When: Saturday, December 13th, 10 - 12pm (You can also register for additional dates in 2025!) 
Cost: Reduced: $25; Regular: $37; Full: $50
Register: bit.ly/gfegrowingagarden25

Do you have a space that you would like to turn into a garden but don’t know where to start? This class is perfect for beginner gardeners or anyone looking for a refresher. We will guide you through the steps to transform your yard into a beautiful garden, including maintenance tips and where to find support and resources. We will also include information and advice on container gardening. This workshop will focus on working with nature, observing your space, and demystifying San Francisco's unique microclimate. With your newfound knowledge, you'll be able to create a manageable garden that aligns with the space you have. Bring your questions!

Please note that this workshop focuses on perennial plant gardening, NOT edible food growing. If you are interested in learning about edible plant growing, please register for one of our Grow Your Own Food workshops.

Fruit Tree Pruning and Care Seminar

A few images from our last class.

Bee Keeping Class

A few images from our recent Bee Keeping class

Growing Young Gardeners at Wegman’s

A local Daisy Troop visited Wegman’s Nursery this last Sunday. 15 girls took a tour of the shop, listened to a talk on plants, and potted a painted pot on site. They then went over to the rest home across the street and gifted the pots to the elderly. We loved hosting these young gardeners!