Dirt, Laughter and Living Art: Our Double Plant Workshop at Buffalo 9 Brewing in Calgary
If you want to know what a great Wednesday night in Calgary looks like, picture a room full of friends, coworkers and brand new acquaintances, hands deep in soil, moss tangled in their hair, and everyone laughing at how much fun they are having.
That was the scene at our Living Plant Art workshop at Buffalo 9 Brewing, and we are still smiling about it.
At YYC Plants & Delivery, we are a local, family owned botanical friend, and workshops are the heart of what we do. This particular evening was a double workshop, which meant every guest created two pieces of living art to take home. One was a Kokedama. The other was a mounted plant. Two creations, one unforgettable night.
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Our Double Plant Workshop at Buffalo 9 Brewing in Calgary
Most plant workshops ask you to pick one project. Our Living Plant Art night removes that decision completely. Every participant makes both pieces from start to finish, with step by step guidance from our team along the way. Our Double Plant Workshop at Buffalo 9 Brewing in Calgary.
The evening ran about two hours, and we supplied everything: plants, moss, soil, wood, tools and expert instruction. Guests could choose from a lovely selection of epiphyte and tropical plants, including ferns, hoyas, peperomias and more. All they had to bring was a sense of humour and clothes they did not mind getting a little messy.
Part One: The Art of Kokedama
We started with Kokedama, the beautiful Japanese inspired technique of wrapping a plant's roots in a ball of soil and covering it with moss. The result is a sculptural, living piece that can sit on a shelf, hang from a hook or become the centrepiece of a table.
Kokedama looks elegant, but making one is wonderfully hands on. Our guests packed soil, wrapped moss and shaped their plant into a tidy green sphere. One of our favourite moments came when a guest finished wrapping her variegated rubber plant in fresh, vibrant moss. The cream edged leaves against that deep green ball looked like something from a boutique gallery, and she had made it herself in under an hour.
There was plenty of trial and error, and that is exactly what makes it fun. Moss went everywhere. Soil went under fingernails. Someone's moss ball was a little lopsided and everyone at the table cheered it on anyway. By the end, each guest had a plant that was uniquely theirs.
Part Two: The Mounted Plant
Once everyone felt confident with the Kokedama, we moved on to our second project, the mounted plant. Using the same techniques and materials from part one, guests transformed a plant into a natural display by mounting it onto a piece of wood. The finished piece works as a wall hanging or a tabletop feature, and no two looked alike.
This is where creativity really took over. Some guests arranged their plants in a loose, wild cluster. Others went for a clean, balanced layout. A few swapped ideas across the table, trading tips on moss placement and plant positioning. By the time the last piece was finished, the group had a full collection of living art, and the group photo at the end says it all. Every person is holding up a creation they were proud of, and every face is smiling.
Laughter, Dirt and Great Conversation
Plenty of people tell us they sign up for a workshop to learn a skill. They come back because of the atmosphere. This night had it in abundance.
Our tables were covered in protective sheeting, and by the second half of the evening that sheeting was covered in moss and soil. Nobody minded. The room was full of the best kind of noise: laughing, chatting, comparing plants, and the occasional gasp when someone realized how good their piece looked.
We saw friends who had come together as a girls' night, coworkers relaxing outside the office, and guests who arrived on their own and left having made new friends.
Conversations moved easily from plant care to weekend plans to favourite Calgary spots. Making something with your hands has a way of lowering everyone's guard. It is hard to feel shy when you are both elbow deep in moss.
That is the part we love most. A plant workshop is not just about the plants. It is about giving people a reason to slow down, get a little dirty and enjoy each other's company.
Why Buffalo 9 Brewing Was the Perfect Host
We want to give a big, heartfelt thank you to Buffalo 9 Brewing for welcoming us. This Calgary brewery gave our workshop exactly the kind of relaxed, friendly setting that makes an evening like this work.
The space has a warm, social feel, with plenty of room for everyone to spread out, work and chat. Our group photo even has a few dartboards looming in the background, which tells you everything about the energy of the room. It is casual, fun and welcoming. Guests could settle in, enjoy the atmosphere and focus on creating without any pressure.
Partnering with local businesses is a big part of who we are. When a Calgary brewery and a Calgary plant company team up, guests get something special: a night out that feels creative, social and distinctly local. If you have not yet visited Buffalo 9 Brewing, we highly recommend adding it to your list of Calgary spots to support. Thank you to the whole team for being such wonderful hosts.
A Great Night Out in Calgary
If you are searching for things to do in Calgary on a weeknight, a plant workshop is hard to beat. It is creative without being intimidating, social without being forced, and you leave with something beautiful instead of just a good story. No experience is needed. Our instructors guide you through every step, including how to care for your Kokedama and mounted plant once you get them home.
Our workshops are a great fit for:
Date nights and girls' nights
Birthday celebrations
Coworkers looking for a relaxed evening together
Plant lovers who want to learn something new
Anyone searching for a unique Calgary activity
Our public workshops run in venues across Calgary and the surrounding areas, including Airdrie, Cochrane, Okotoks and Chestermere. New dates are posted regularly, and they do fill up quickly. This one sold out.
Bring the Experience to Your Group: Private Workshops in Calgary
Here is something many people do not realize: you do not have to wait for a public event. YYC Plants & Delivery also hosts private workshops for groups of all kinds, and we bring everything to you.
Private workshops are ideal for:
Corporate team building and staff appreciation. Give your team a relaxed, creative break from the office.
Client appreciation events. Offer your clients an experience they will actually remember.
Birthdays, bridal showers and bachelorette parties. Celebrate with something hands on and photo worthy.
Community groups, clubs and fundraisers. Bring people together around something fun and meaningful.
Venue and business partnerships. Breweries, cafes, shops and event spaces can host us to bring new guests through their doors.
We handle the plants, supplies, setup and instruction. You enjoy the laughter. We can host at your office, your venue or a location of your choice anywhere in Calgary and the surrounding area, and we can tailor the project to your group size and theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find plant workshops in Calgary?
YYC Plants & Delivery hosts public plant workshops at local venues, including breweries like Buffalo 9 Brewing, across Calgary and surrounding areas. Check our website for upcoming dates.
What is a Kokedama workshop?
A Kokedama workshop teaches you the Japanese inspired art of wrapping a plant's roots in soil and moss to make a sculptural living display you can take home.
What is a mounted plant?
A mounted plant is a plant secured to a piece of wood to create a natural wall or tabletop display. It is popular with epiphyte and tropical plants like ferns and hoyas.
Do I need experience to join a plant workshop?
Not at all. Our workshops are designed for beginners and plant lovers alike, and we guide you through every step.
Can I book a private plant workshop in Calgary?
Yes. YYC Plants & Delivery offers private workshops for corporate teams, parties, clients and community groups in Calgary and nearby communities.
What should I wear?
Something you do not mind getting messy. There will be soil, moss and plenty of fun. Gloves are welcome if you prefer them.
Join the Next YYC Plants & Delivery Workshop
Our Buffalo 9 Brewing night reminded us why we love what we do. Every guest left with two beautiful creations, a few new friends and a smile that lasted well past closing time. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Buffalo 9 Brewing for being such a fantastic partner.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Browse our upcoming public workshops, or reach out to book a private workshop for your team, family or friends. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to see what is growing next in Calgary and the surrounding areas.
YYC Plants & Delivery. Calgary's local, family owned botanical friend.
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