Event Types: Nature & Outdoors

Join us for an outstanding opportunity to visit 5 beautiful gardens! The day features self-guided tours. Additionally, the Meraki Food Truck will be at Hollister House Garden from 11:30am – 2:30pm. Learn more

Brush Hill Garden
Washington, CT
Brush Hill Garden covers over 10 acres of gardens, with formal flower borders, a rose garden, the Serpentine Garden with its folly, vegetable garden, woodland walks with a series of cascading pools and rills, and specially designed features and structures throughout.
55 Nettleton Hollow Road Washington

Japanese Garden at Cedar Hill
Roxbury, CT
This extraordinary garden evokes a sense of serenity as different rooms invite the visitor to pause and reflect. From the teahouse one has a commanding view of much of the garden. Proceed through a stone garden to series of geometrically patterned orchards and connecting footpaths.
8 Bayberry Hill Rd Roxbury

The Ridge
Roxbury, CT
Begun in 1997 this unique garden features perennial beds, woodland areas, a gray garden and raised cutting beds surrounding an 1830 house on a high ridge with sweeping views to the west. There is a broad variety of plants, many of which are rare or unusual.
54 Painter Ridge Road Roxbury

The Rocks
Washington, CT
The Rocks is the preeminent example of the summer cottages built by Ehrick Rossiter in and around Washington. Rossiter framed formal gardens with colonnaded pergolas and sculpted the land to highlight the rocky ledges. Equally impressive is the extraordinary collection of trees that have now grown to enormous proportions.
21 Kirby Road Washington

Hollister House Garden
Washington, CT
Hollister House Garden is an American interpretation of classic English gardens: formal in its structure but informal and rather wild in its style of planting. Begun in 1979, the garden since that time has evolved into a unique synthesis of the formal and the natural, with paths, walls and hedges forming a magnificent backdrop to the garden’s exuberant plantings.
300 Nettleton Hollow Road Washington

The Meraki food truck will be at Hollister House Garden from 11:30 – 2:30

Reservations
Advance Reservations for all 5 gardens $40
Individual gardens may be visited on the day of the tour $10 per person (cash or Venmo only)

Thank you to our generous event sponsor, Litchfield Magazine.

Enjoy a tour of Judea Garden and learn about the historic Camp House and the farming and industrial influences of the Camp family in Washington. A complimentary lunch will follow the presentation.

Seniors in Steep Rock is a collaborative program with the Washington Senior Center and is generously supported by a grant from the Connecticut Community Foundation’s “Pathways for Older Adults” program.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to the Washington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm from May through mid-November.

Shop from the best of Litchfield County’s growers and makers! There will also be live music at the Farmers Market on select dates. Follow the dedicated Farmers Market Instagram account at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for weekly features and updates!

Photo of Washington Farmers Market by Alexandra Barnes

Nature is often the best landscape designer; certainly, it is an inspiration for many of our best garden designers.
Presented by: Dee Salomon

Nature is often the best landscape designer; certainly, it is an inspiration for many of our best garden designers. Dee Salomon goes a step further in advocating for ungardening; that is, removing invasive plants that are damaging natural landscapes in our woodlands, marshes and meadows, and helping nature restore the habitat. Expanding beyond the garden that surrounds her home (which was featured in Architectural Digest in 2022) Dee has rehabilitated the adjacent 15 acres into a woodland paradise that nurtures native plants and animals. She will share her experience, in words and images, as well as explain how to undertake the process in a way that is manageable and even enjoyable.

Dee Salomon, the ‘Ungardener’ writes, advocates and consults on woodland restoration. A former publishing and marketing executive, Dee moved from New York City to Litchfield County a decade ago and began clearing invasive plant species from the woodland adjacent to the property. Dee writes on the topic for several publications and has a monthly column in the Lakeville Journal. Along with other ungardeners across the country, Dee advocates for the restoration of native habitats by removing invasive plant species and propagating native plants.

HHG Members $30
Non-Members $40

Join the SRA on September 15, 2024 at Johnson Farm for a family-friendly easy hike (gentle slopes, mostly flat, beautiful views!)
Leaders: Roxanne Kraft and Alan Arellano.

This hike is perfect for children and hikers of all ages and skill levels. Bring the whole family for a fun and relaxing outdoor adventure!

Register here

Join Executive Director Brian Hagenbuch on a series of casual walks through Steep Rock’s Preserves. Tue., Sept. 17 we will explore Hillside Farm, 397 Nettleton Hollow Road. Acquired in 2021, this 86-acre parcel on the border of Washington and Woodbury includes a rich diversity of habitats and species.

Early autumn at Hollister House Garden is a study in abundance.
Presented by: Betsy Rogers-Knox

The garden is a showcase for colorful berries, interesting pods and a variety of fruits. After a step-by-step demo and exercise in the barn, we’ll explore the garden and capture these autumn treasures in our journals. Whether you are a new or experienced journal keeper, artist Betsy Rogers-Knox will provide plenty of drawing and watercolor tips to expand your garden record keeping.

Required Materials: Journal and pen, $30, is required for all new garden journaling students. If you participated in a Hollister House Garden journaling workshop previously and wish to use the journal and pen you have already purchased, then please be sure to bring them to class.

HHG Members $90
Non-members $130
Journal and pen $30

Betsy Rogers-Knox is an award-winning watercolor artist enchanted by the full lifecycle of plants and their habitats. She holds a certificate in botanical illustration from the New York Botanical Garden. Her work has been widely exhibited and is held in the permanent collection at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Lindley Library in London and at the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to the Washington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm from May through mid-November.

Shop from the best of Litchfield County’s growers and makers! There will also be live music at the Farmers Market on select dates. Follow the dedicated Farmers Market Instagram account at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for weekly features and updates!

Photo of Washington Farmers Market by Alexandra Barnes

Celebrate the autumn equinox and learn how to grow mushrooms in your own back yard!
Presented by: Willie Crosby

Join us as we explore the fungal kingdom with Willie Crosby of Fungi Ally. He will introduce us to six wild mushroom species and share mushroom science and lore before diving into techniques you can use at home to cultivate mushrooms outdoors. Learn how to inoculate logs, wood chips and stumps for years of delicious mushroom harvests. Then get hands-on practice preparing and inoculating your very own shiitake log to take home. Your shiitake log will continue to produce crops of mushrooms for several years. All workshop materials included. Additional mushroom spawn and grow kits will be available for purchase. Attendance is limited, so reserve your place early.

Willie Crosby, owner of Fungi Ally, has been growing mushrooms indoors and outdoors for over a decade. He passionately promotes the power of mushrooms by teaching people how to incorporate mushrooms into their gardens and lives. Willie has taught mushroom cultivation for UMass Amherst, Cornell, and for thousands of fungus-curious people through Fungi Ally.

HHG Members $85

Non-members $100

Join our monthly trail work party! The work party meets at 10:00am the third Saturday of every month from April through November. No experience necessary, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and have fun. Ages 16+

Learn more

There are only 2 times of the year when the Earth’s axis is tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, resulting in a nearly equal amount of daylight and darkness at all latitudes – and this is one of those days!

Come join us for at the firepit as we celebrate the arrival of fall with refreshments, fun, and good company – all are welcome.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to the Washington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm from May through mid-November.

Shop from the best of Litchfield County’s growers and makers! There will also be live music at the Farmers Market on select dates. Follow the dedicated Farmers Market Instagram account at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for weekly features and updates!

Photo of Washington Farmers Market by Alexandra Barnes

The story of ancient Roman gardens is remarkably complete even after two thousand years.
Presented by: George Schoellkopf

We are surprisingly well informed about these gardens, not only on their design but also the actual plants with which they were furnished. Ancient writings, wall paintings and modern archeological excavation have all contributed to building a highly accurate picture of what the gardens looked like in antiquity. We are further blessed with a few villa and town house gardens in Pompeii and its environs that have been excavated virtually intact, some with their ancient sculptures still displayed in the original positions. A few have even been replanted with the same plants in the same positions where they originally grew. Join Hollister House Garden’s George Schoellkopf for a look at the world of Roman gardens based on what actually survives and what we have learned from ancient literature and modern archeological excavation.

George Schoellkopf is the creator, founder and President of Hollister House Garden. He was educated at Yale University and also holds a master’s degree in Art History from Columbia University. For many years he ran a gallery specializing in 18th and 19th century American antiques and folk art in New York City. His articles on gardening have appeared in Town & Country, House & Garden, House Beautiful, Fine Gardening and Rosemary Verey’s The American Man’s Garden among others.

HHG Members $30

Non-members $40

September 29th through October 20, 2024

An annual event each October, this challenge invites participants to hike all three Steep Rock peaks in three weeks and register to win prizes for participating. All ages and fitness levels are encouraged to join in this friendly adventure. Registration coming in September!

Register here

In an immersive forest setting with no locks, keys or clocks, Wigwam Escape’s thematic puzzles challenge game players to hunt, find water and prepare food similar to how Native people did for thousands of years prior to European contact. The Institute for American Indian Studies, proudly presents a new way to interact with history, a themed escape room, Wigwam Escape.

Our museum’s mission is to “preserve and educate through discovery and creativity the diverse traditions, vitality and knowledge of Native American cultures”. We chose an escape room setting as an interactive and captivating way to educate the public about how pre-contact Native peoples lived within their environment over 500 years ago. This hand-on experience of history is demonstrated through a series of custom puzzles and hand crafted set, complete with a full sized traditionally sourced wigwam.

The full experience is 90 minutes in the museum’s Research Center. This includes a pre-game orientation, the one hour escape room centerpiece, and post-game popcorn snack and discussion when your team returns to the 21st Century. The game is set for 3 to 7 players and the cost is $25 per person, or $20 for our museum members or students.

More than just a game, Wigwam Escape is built to teach through experience and foster dialogue in a game that’s dynamic, challenging and entertaining. Visit Wigwam Escape for this must-do team building experience for friends, families and co-workers.

For more information or to book your escape room, go to: wigwamescape.org.

September 29th through October 20, 2024

An annual event each October, this challenge invites participants to hike all three Steep Rock peaks in three weeks and register to win prizes for participating. All ages and fitness levels are encouraged to join in this friendly adventure. Registration coming in September!

Register here

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to the Washington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm from May through mid-November.

Shop from the best of Litchfield County’s growers and makers! There will also be live music at the Farmers Market on select dates. Follow the dedicated Farmers Market Instagram account at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for weekly features and updates!

Photo of Washington Farmers Market by Alexandra Barnes

Gain confidence in the basic techniques of sumi-e as you learn to create original ink paintings featuring birds and branches.

Sumi-e is a traditional Japanese watercolor technique that uses minimal brush strokes and charcoal ink to create paintings that capture the delicate beauty of nature. Gain confidence in the basic techniques of sumi-e as you learn to create original ink paintings featuring birds and branches. Because the process of sumi-e is immediate, you will have time to practice loading your brushes, trying different brush strokes and getting comfortable using ink on paper before starting on your final paintings. While we will be using black ink, colors will be available to those who wish to experiment. All levels are welcome.

Joanne Wasti has worked as a museum educator at the Guggenheim Museum and as a teaching artist for various arts organizations in New York City, the San Francisco Bay Area and Litchfield County. Painting and collage are her main media, but her passion is teaching people of all ages to let go of their fear of art making. She encourages students to make their own choices and break rules and is always pleasantly surprised by what is produced in her classes. Joanne is a founding board member of the Kent Curiosity Lab, promoting access to the arts for all children.

HHG Members $90

Non-Members $120

Enjoy the spectacular fall colors at Johnson Farm Preserve. Join SRA’s Executive Director for a walk around Johnson Farm Preserve and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn across the landscape.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to the Washington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm from May through mid-November.

Shop from the best of Litchfield County’s growers and makers! There will also be live music at the Farmers Market on select dates. Follow the dedicated Farmers Market Instagram account at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for weekly features and updates!

Photo of Washington Farmers Market by Alexandra Barnes

Winter can be a beautiful time of year in the garden!
Presented by: Vincent Simeone

Although plants lie dormant, unique characteristics such as growth habit, ornamental fruit, and interesting bark move to the forefront. Conifers and broadleaved evergreens add color, variety and texture. This lecture will focus on standout selections that are true wonders of the winter landscape. Fall is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs whose winter features will bring beauty to the cold months ahead. Come learn how you can use these horticultural treasures to enhance the aesthetic value and interest of your home landscape.

Vincent Simeone has been in the horticultural field for over 37 years and currently manages a large public garden on Long Island. Vincent has specialized expertise in woody plant identification, selection, and use, as well as historic landscape preservation and plant care. An experienced lecturer, instructor, and horticultural consultant, he has published seven gardening books and has been featured on Martha Stewart Living and HGTV. He has taught horticultural classes at the New York Botanical Garden since 1999.

HHG Members $30

Non-Members $40

Save the date for Washington’s Annual Harvest Festival happening on Sunday, October 13th! More details to come.

The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to the Washington Farmers Market on Saturdays from 9:30am-12:30pm from May through mid-November.

Shop from the best of Litchfield County’s growers and makers! There will also be live music at the Farmers Market on select dates. Follow the dedicated Farmers Market Instagram account at @washingtonctfarmersmarket for weekly features and updates!

Photo of Washington Farmers Market by Alexandra Barnes