‘Know Gardens’ this April with Deschutes Public Library; several programs bloom throughout the month

(Update: adding video, comments from partner organizations)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Are you dreaming of a backyard bounty or looking to garden more sustainably? You can join the Deschutes Public Library as they sew, dig, and harvest for a variety of “Know Gardens” events in April.

"I think that instilling an appreciation for all things that grow is a really important lesson for young people," event supervisor Liz Goodrich said Monday, "and that getting your hands dirty and watching something grow from the fruits of your labors is so rewarding for both kids and adults. So that's why the library is happy to offer this series."

The libraries host a variety of monthly topic-focused learning series throughout the year. The Know Gardens series teaches community members ways to garden sustainably.

"We have a therapy bunny named Parsley who's going to come visit with kids. We have tea-making programs for young people and adults. Really, we just find that inner generational learning across generations is such a wonderful thing, and the library is happy to offer those things."

Deschutes Public Library is partnering with local artists, experts and community organizations to host the learning series. 

One is Seed to Table, a nonprofit education farm based in Sisters that aims to increase the health of the community by increasing access to local grown foods.

Hannah Joseph, the program director of Seed to Table, said, "So participating in this series or this workshop with the library is a great opportunity to increase our reach -- not just from a classroom, students who come out to the farm on field trips, but to anybody in the community."

Deschutes Land Trust is also involved in the series. Director of Communications Sarah Mowry said, "Our view is to try to get everyone involved in gardening with native plants, because they're the kinds of plants that help wildlife here in Central Oregon, whether that's butterflies or birds."

Deschutes Land Trust has participated in the learning series before and thinks sharing information to the community can help individual gardening. 

You also can: Learn the fundamentals of water-wise gardening and explore Monet’s innovative landscapes. Deeply connect to the natural world with a forest-bathing experience and indulge in animal therapy with Parsley the bunny. Attend a garden fair to learn more about composting, pollinator habitat, growing vegetables, seed bombs, and more.

The Environmental Center is also involved this month. It hosts monthly Garden Stories, where they read to kids in their Learning Garden. This month's Garden Story is taking place ,this Friday, April 5, and is included in the Deschutes Public Library Know Growing series.

Denise Rowcroft, program manager for Garden for Every School at The Environmental Center, said "I think giving kids and their parents the opportunity to explore, learn and garden -- for us, it's an opportunity to connect with the natural world through food, through plants, through gardens."

The Environmental Center is the first to host an event in the series, inviting the community to garden stories this Friday. Participants will learn about gardening techniques and get to apply what they learned within the on-site garden. 

Rowcroft said, "Literacy is important at any age, especially for our young kids, and they're naturally inclined to get excited about the world around them, and certainly enriched through books. So I love making the connection of not just reading about the books and hearing the stories, but then being able to see those observations right then, after the story."

There will be at least one event per week this month, with some weeks having several event opportunities. Deschutes Public Library is funded by tax dollars, so all events are free of charge, but some may require registration due to limited material. All programs are free and open to the public.

Stories in the Garden*

Enjoy a nature-based story time and explore the wonders of gardening with The Environmental Center. This program is intended for children ages kindergarten and younger and their caregiver. Registration required.

• Friday, April 5 • 10:30 a.m.  • The Environmental Center | 16 NW Kansas Avenue, Bend

HOPS: Historic Photographs of the Oregon Hopscape

The craft-brewing renaissance has brought a renewed interest in hops. Learn about the important role these vigorous vines play in beer making and in the Oregon agricultural landscape.

• Wednesday, April 10 • 12:30 p.m.  • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend

Family Game Night with Modern Games

Ready to dive into your next favorite game? Explore new, garden-themed games with our friends from Modern Games. This program is intended for school-age children and their favorite game-loving adult(s).

• Wednesday, April 10 • 6:00 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend

Folded Paper Book Workshop*

Reveal your inner artist by creating a folded-paper book. Use garden-themed art papers, quotes, musings, stamps, and other art supplies to create each page of your personalized garden book. Registration required.

• Thursday, April 11 • 6:00 p.m. • Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond

Color and Light in Monet's Gardens

Claude Monet was one of the first artists to paint en plein air. Join this presentation of Monet's gardens and learn about the optical effects of color and light that led to some of the most innovative and memorable landscapes.

• Monday, April 15 • 6:00 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend
• Saturday, April 20 • 3:00 p.m. • Becky Johnson Community Center | 412 SW 8th Street, Redmond

Waterwise Gardening

Learn the fundamentals of gardening with little or no water. This presentation covers the seven main steps to consider for a water-wise garden, and includes a slideshow of sustainable landscape design elements and plants.

• Wednesday, April 17 • 6:30 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend

Seed Swap

Bring extra seeds to share and take home local varieties to start your veggie gardening journey. Join this free seed swap in partnership with the Central Oregon Gardeners group.

• Saturday, April 20 • 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • Downtown Bend Library | 601 NW Wall Street, Bend

Bunny Therapy and Coloring with Parsley

Hop into the library and spend your afternoon coloring and cuddling everyone's favorite garden animal: a rabbit! Both kids and adults can experience the stress-relieving benefits and fun with Parsley the rabbit. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.

• Saturday, April 20 • 12:45 p.m. • East Bend Library | 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend

Tea Making with Metolius Artisan Tea*

See, smell, taste, and play with herbs and spices to make your own unique tea blend. This hands-on workshop is led by 13-year-old Sevi Stahl, the daughter of Metolius Artisan Tea’s founder. Registration required.

• Saturday, April 27 • 11:00 a.m. • La Pine Library | 16425 1st Street, La Pine
• Saturday, April 27  • 4:00 p.m. • East Bend Library | 62080 Dean Swift Road, Bend

Guided Forest Bath at Shevlin Park*

Deeply connect to the natural world and feed your soul. Join a series of guided forest bathing invitations led by a local Certified Forest Therapy Guide at beautiful Shevlin Park. Registration required.

• Saturday, April 27 • 2:00 p.m. • Shevlin Park |  18920 NW Shevlin Park Road, Bend,

Garden Fair at Sisters Firehouse Community Hall

Learn from local experts how to help pollinators, compost, roll up seed bombs, grow vegetables in our climate, create paints from your garden, and more! Join the library and fellow community organizations for this free event.

• Sunday, April 28 • 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. • Sisters Firehouse Community Hall | 301 S Elm Street, Sisters

Game Night with Modern Games

Come in and learn new board games for adults. Our friends from Modern Games provide a selection of their favorite games with staff support to help you discover your next favorite game. Ages 18 & up.

• Tuesday, April 30 • 6:00 p.m. • High Desert Music Hall | 818 SW Forest Avenue, Redmond

For more information about these programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz Goodrich at lizg@deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1032.