Bonsai Beyond the Windowsill - Choosing & Caring for Your First Outdoor Tree
Ready to step outside? If you’ve enjoyed tropical/indoor bonsai and want to try pines, maples, real seasons, and winter care, this class is your friendly on-ramp to cold hardy bonsai.
Who it’s for
Tropical bonsai owners, or for anyone who wants to buy their first cold-hardy tree with confidence. No guesswork, no jargon.
What you’ll learn (beginner-friendly)
- Cold-Hardy vs. Tropical, in plain English: Where outdoor trees live best and how their routines differ from indoor care.
- Species “vision” and styles: Why a maple isn’t styled like a pine; natural forms for juniper, black pine, white pine, maple, spruce, and more.
- How to shop smart: What to look for when buying. Trunk character, taper, branching potential, buds, health, and season timing.
- Care basics that matter most: Sun, watering, soil, fertilizer, and pest checks. Simple rules that set you up for success.
- Seasons made simple: When to prune, when to repot, a gentle intro to pine decandling, and easy winter protection.
- Nursery walk-through: We’ll tour real trees, compare options, and talk through pros/cons so you can choose with a clear plan.
Hands-on touchpoints (light & approachable)
We’ll do simple demos (basic wiring bend on a conifer, soil/grain talk, pot fit) so you can see what comes next—without needing advanced skills on day one.
You’ll take home
- Two starters to begin your outdoor journey: a Japanese Maple and a Japanese Black Pine (2–3-year starters).
- A simple, written next-steps plan tailored to your trees and your space.
What’s included
Tools for demos, aluminum wire, helpful handouts, and expert guidance throughout. Just bring your curiosity.
Workshop details
- Instructor: Peter Olson
- Date/Time: Saturday, February 14, 2026 · 1:30–4:00 PM
- Class Size: Limited to 10 for plenty of one-on-one time
- Location: 914 S. Main Street, Bellingham, MA (meet in the “Workshop” greenhouse behind the retail store)
- Cost: $85 per student
- Extras: Snacks and drinks available for purchase
We’ll help you make the leap—out of the living room and into the seasons!
All sales are final. No refunds.
Learning Resources and Bonsai Tree Care Guides:
Bonsai trees are not all the same - and neither is their care. Read our specific care sheets for individual bonsai species. Read the Bonsai Care Guides
Shipping Bonsai Trees:
Bonsai trees are generally shipped on Mondays & Tuesdays to avoid having them stay in the boxes for any extra time over the weekends.
Shipping Non-Tree Items
All non-bonsai items such as bonsai pots and bonsai supplies are shipped within 48 hours of receiving payment. Most orders are shipped either the same day or the next day, depending on the time of day the order is received.
Important Guidelines:
** We cannot ship to a FPO, APO, P.O. Box or to locations in Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or anywhere internationally.
** All Bonsai are shipped direct from the nursery and may ship separately from other items purchased via the Bonsai Outlet.
** If extreme weather is expected, we may delay shipping your Bonsai tree to guarantee a healthy arrival; in such a case we will contact you. We are shipping living trees and must be conscious of the temperature conditions to the delivery address, as well as, while in transit. That said, we reserve the right to hold the tree(s) to guarantee a healthy delivery. We will Hold Your Tree Until It is Safe to Ship.
