(16-Adult) Learn how to turn food scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost for your garden. Discover the science behind composting and why it benefits your soil. We’ll cover tools, bins, and tips for success. Class will begin indoors before moving out to Green Spring’s Compost Station to illustrate examples of composting practices with help from the Extension Master Gardeners.

(16-Adult) Explore the basics of plant identification in this hands-on beginner-friendly class. Learn how to recognize key features that help you identify common plant families in our public garden.

(16-Adult) Create your own botanical journal. Practice drawing exercises, take a seasonal walk for inspiration, and learn tips for layout and media options. Start with pencil and move to watercolor or colored pencil. A list of suggested materials will be sent prior to class start. Class meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Each month covers a different topic.

(16-Adult) Bambi may be cute, but he and his mother, cousins, and rest of the herd are very hungry and they would love to make a feast of your garden. This talk will cover proven and humane tactics for gardening with deer, rabbits, squirrels, rats, groundhogs and other creatures that are attracted to both edible and ornamental gardens. Kathy Jentz, publisher of Washington Gardener Magazine and host of the GardenDC Podcast, shares her tips and tricks for gardening alongside hungry critters.

(14-Adult) Each season features a thoughtfully chosen novel with botanical or garden themes. You'll gather twice—first for a pre-reading welcoming circle to meet fellow readers, enjoy refreshments, and receive your guide and then again post-reading for a lively book discussion and a hands-on activity that brings the story to life. From hidden gardens to wild landscapes, members explore rich, immersive stories that celebrate growth, connection and the natural world—one season at a time. Fall read: Evergreen Academy by Heather Schneider. Activity: Kokedama. Class meets October 2 and November 13.

(All Ages) Let's play pretend at Green Spring Gardens. Read the classic children's book We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Then make a map and binoculars for our "bear" hunt. Finally go on an adventure walk to see if we can find some friendly bear stuffed animals hidden in the park. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(All Ages) Woodpeckers are busy in the fall. Read books about woodpeckers and look for evidence of their handiwork outside. Help your little one learn some woodpecker skills with fine-motor activities. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(6-Adult) Learn about the wonderful world of evergreen trees and plants that really stand out this time of year. Enjoy a seasonal walk through the gardens and make an evergreen craft to decorate your home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(4-Adult) Follow your food’s journey from garden to table. Learn how seeds develop into fruits, vegetables and herbs. Then see how they’re harvested and brought to the kitchen. Make a colorful food map that traces the route from the garden to your plates.

(4-Adult) Learn about the incredible migration of monarch butterflies. Search the garden for caterpillars and butterflies, learn about their life cycle, and create a butterfly-themed craft to take home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(13-Adult) Craft your own decorative bundle of evergreens to hang on your door using fresh seasonal greenery and natural accents. Green Spring Gardens staff will guide you in designing a beautiful piece to take home and enjoy all season long. After creating, unwind in the gardens with a warm cup of hot chocolate, surrounded by peaceful scenery and fresh air.

(Adults) Experience Green Spring Gardens with all your senses. Join Certified Forest Therapy Guide and co-founder of local nonprofit Capital Nature, Ana Ka’ahanui, to slow down and connect with nature on a peaceful walk inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku that will help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity and enhance mood and creativity. Bring something to sit on the ground, which may be damp, and a water bottle. Dress for the weather.

(3-Adult) Discover nature through the sense of touch. Explore a variety of natural textures and sensations around the garden. Then turn your tactile discoveries into art by creating a touch‑sensory collage to take home.

(5-Adult) Seeds have clever ways of getting around. Go on a nature walk to look for real seed examples and learn how their unique designs help them travel. and grow. Discover patterns as you document each seed’s design and travel style.

(2-4 yrs.) Your preschooler enjoys nature-themed toys and puzzles while you meet other playgroup parents one Monday a month. Through games, songs, activities and a garden walk we will explore seasonal topics. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who does not need to register for the program. Siblings under 2 welcome to accompany parent without registering.

(16-Adult) Bring the magic of fall to your landscape. Extension Master Gardeners show you a variety of perennials, shrubs and trees in rich gold, burnt orange, brilliant burgundy and vibrant red to add glorious fall colors to your existing plantings with remarkable results.

(16-Adult) Transforming a townhouse garden into a beautiful haven only requires thoughtful planning and creativity. Carefully dedicated spaces can achieve beautiful and unique gardens and can be effective in growing plants for food or simply for general enjoyment. Learn how from Extension Master Gardeners.

(16-Adult) Cleaning your garden beds and pruning this fall can make your spring tasks lighter and improve your garden’s health. Learn from Extension Master Gardeners what you need to do to prepare for winter, what needs pruning, transplanted and mulched.

(16-Adult) With widespread drought, increasing water costs and awareness of the environmental costs of lawn maintenance (chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides), Extension Master Gardeners show you how to shrink your lawn and design garden spaces with highly textured and lushly plants.

(16-Adult) Planting a fall vegetable garden extends the gardening season so you can continue to harvest fresh produce. Many cool-season vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts produce their best flavor and quality when they mature during cool weather. Extension Master Gardeners share tips and recommendations.

(16-Adult) Bulbs can turn an ordinary garden into extraordinary. Learn about the enchanting world of bulbs and their cousins, corms, tubers and rhizomes, and how they can add beauty to your garden. Now is the time to plant. Learn how from Extension Master Gardeners.

(16-Adult) Join our Horticulture Manager on a walk around the gardens and learn about the behind-the-scenes work. Tour the central gardens focusing on the vibrant asters, salvias and ornamental grasses.

(16-Adult) Join a Green Spring staff member for a guided “walk and talk” exploring the basics of growing boxwoods in the home landscape. Learn essential care tips, including proper site selection, common pests and diseases—such as boxwood blight and leaf miners—how to recognize problems early, and practical strategies for prevention and control. The walk will also cover best practices for pruning and shaping, along with recommended boxwood varieties suited to our region and a range of garden styles.

(16-Adult) Join our Horticulture Manager on a walk around the gardens and learn about the behind-the-scenes work. Tour the central gardens focusing on late blooming camellias and the last of fall colors.

(16-Adult) Join our Horticulture Manager on a walk around the gardens and learn about the behind-the-scenes work. Tour three different garden spaces, focusing on the plants of our historic Beatrix Farrand landscape mixed border and naturalistic gardens near the historic house with a connection to our new Moon Gate and Serenity Garden.

(16-Adult) Join our Horticulture Manager on a walk around the gardens and learn about the behind-the-scenes work. Tour the central gardens focusing on conifers for winter interest. Warm up at the end with the start of orchid season in the glasshouse.

(16-Adult) Create a mini indoor oasis your cat will love. Design and plant a sensory cat garden using safe, stimulating plants like catnip, cat grass and more. Learn how scent, texture and movement enrich your cat’s environment while supporting natural behaviors. Perfect for beginners, this class covers plant selection, safety and care and leave with a fun cat garden to take home.

(16-Adult) Intro to Native Plant Gardening – Discover how you can help boost local biodiversity by converting part of your yard into a native plant garden. Find out how to plan your garden and leave with a personalized garden plan. Learn tips to protect pollinators throughout the year. Finally, enjoy a walk to see some native plants in action.

(Adults) Explore how nature, metaphor, and deep listening can enhance connection—with yourself, others and the world around you. This interactive garden-based class combines guided reflection, emotional awareness practices, and practical tools for mindful communication. Learn to tune into your inner landscape while engaging with the natural one. End with a relaxing sound bathing experience to help you integrate, unwind and return to your day grounded and refreshed. Class goes outside, weather permitting.

(14-Adult) Join author Heather Schneider to learn about the Society of Magical Botanists in the Evergreen Academy book series. Discover the inspiration behind this whimsical story, explore themes of growth, resilience and belonging, and hear how the setting and characters came to life. Presented in partnership with the Kingstowne Library of Fairfax County, the event also includes an opportunity to browse and check out books, get a library card and connect with library staff. The talk is held online, with an option to view at the Horticulture Center. Program is free, but registration is required.

(14-Adult) Learn how to harvest, clean, and store seeds from common garden plants so you can grow them again next season. Green Spring staff will guide you through simple techniques that support biodiversity and help you become a more self-sufficient gardener. Leave with new skills and seeds to start your own collection.

(All Ages) Share seeds harvested from plants that thrive in our local climate and discover new varieties to try in your own garden. By exchanging seeds, we support biodiversity, reduce waste and help one another become more successful gardeners. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, come connect, learn and cultivate a stronger, more sustainable community together. Registration encouraged.

(16-Adult) Take an early morning docent-led tour of our vibrant summer gardens. Learn about Green Spring’s history, see beautiful plant combinations, and gather ideas for your own garden. Garden tours run rain or shine.

(Adults) Join us after-hours in the Horticulture Center. View the glasshouse tropicals in the light of the setting sun and peruse the art exhibit while enjoying a refreshing mocktail made with herbs grown at Green Spring Gardens. Then using a curated selection of preserved leaves and blooms, you’ll design your own delicate botanical piece while learning simple arranging and pressing techniques. Take home a beautiful creation that captures the quiet elegance of nature. Includes entry, mocktail, garden tour and all supplies.

(Adults) Join us after-hours in the Horticulture Center. View the glasshouse tropicals in the light of the setting sun and peruse the art exhibit while enjoying a refreshing mocktail made with herbs grown at Green Spring Gardens. Then explore natural materials like woods and dried herbs, and learn how scent can evoke the feeling of the forest. Blend your own custom loose incense using a curated selection of earthy, aromatic ingredients—designing a scent that’s smoky, fresh or softly herbal.

(Adults) Join us after-hours in the Horticulture Center. View the glasshouse tropicals in the light of the setting sun and peruse the art exhibit while enjoying a refreshing mocktail made with herbs grown at Green Spring Gardens. Then discover the art of kokedama. Learn how to transform a simple plant into a beautiful moss-wrapped creation using soil, string and a bit of creativity. Leave with your magical contained plant with the knowledge to make more at home. Includes entry, mocktail, garden tour and all supplies.