(16-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, 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. Spring read: The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams. Activity: Botanical Twilight Garden Collage. Program meeting dates are Mar. 21 and May 23.

(16-Adult) Learn how to create a botanical journal to experiment and to improve your drawing skills. Engage in drawing exercises, a seasonal walk through the garden to gather inspiration, dedicated time to work on a botanical study page, and learn tips on layout and media options. Start in pencil, then transition to a project in 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.

(7-Adult) Celebrate Earth Day by exploring the spirit of Pachamama. Take a nature walk to reflect on her significance, then create portraits using natural materials to express what she means to you. Craft a personal pledge to carry with you as a reminder of your connection to the Earth. All attendees must be registered.

(5-Adult) Come learn about the sensational world of seeds as we examine our seed collection, explore how seeds travel and take a walk to find seeds. Then make a chia seed pet to take home. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(16-Adult) Learn from Green Spring Gardens' historian about the rich history of how edible flowers have enhanced dishes for centuries by adding flavor, beauty and symbolism. Blend culinary tradition with Victorian artistry as you try your hand at crystallizing petals. Take home your candied creations and tips for using flowers as elegant, edible decorations.

(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, for a slow, meditative walk around the gardens. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, this contemplative walk inspires interaction with the surrounding nature in a way that will help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity and enhance mood and creativity. Decompress and feel a deeper connection with the natural world. The experience concludes with a soothing spot of tea, offering a moment to reflect and savor the essence of nature. Bring something to sit on the ground, which may be damp, and a water bottle. Dress for the weather.

(10-Adult) Calling all young artists and nature explorers. Create and personalize your own sketch journal, then head outdoors to spot and illustrate vibrant new blooms as we say goodbye to the winter season. Connect with the natural world and capture the beauty around you.

(6-Adult) Ignite your creativity with an exploration of fire’s role in nature and everyday life. Learn how fire supports different ecosystems, brings us together around campfires, and fuels our traditions through cooking. Then, create a vibrant fire-themed mobile that reflects the many ways fire is special to you. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(10-Adult) Celebrate spring through scent and creativity. Explore the garden’s earliest blooms on a sensory walk, then craft a personal scent using natural ingredients that capture the fresh, floral notes of the season. All attendees must be registered.

(5-Adult) Spring is a beautiful time for flowers. Enjoy a walk through the gardens and the native plant trail as we check out what's in bloom. Learn how different colors attract different pollinators. Then we will make a spring flower craft. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(8-Adult) Slow down, breathe deep and connect with nature. Take in the garden, using your senses to discover its sights, scents and sounds. Then settle into breathwork and gentle yogic movement to invite in grounding, and a deeper relationship with the Earth. All attendees must be registered.

(2-4 yrs.) Your preschooler will enjoy nature-themed activities and crafts while you meet other playgroup parents one Monday a month. Through games, songs, activities and a garden walk, we will explore seasonal topics. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who does not need to register for the program. Siblings under 3 welcome to accompany parent without registering.

(3-5 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 explore seasonal topics. Kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who does not need to register for the program. Siblings under 3 welcome to accompany parent without registering.

(16-Adult) Learn how to turn garden and yard waste into valuable compost to use throughout your yard and garden. Learn how easy it can be to save money by making your own. Extension Master Gardeners show what you need to do to have your own compost pile.

(16-Adult) Liven up space in your home by adding beautiful indoor plants. Discover easy care, low light and other and tips to keep them thriving. Extension Master Gardeners will show you some of the toughest, most resilient plants available. You’ll be amazed at the wide selection.

(16-Adult) Branch out and try something different in your garden. Extension Master Gardeners will introduce you to an incredibly diverse selection of spectacular native annuals and perennials that are sure to expand your gardening possibilities.

(16-Adult) The no man’s land between street and sidewalk don’t often support healthy lawns. They can host thriving gardens that dramatically improve their surroundings. Extension Master Gardeners show you how to add curb appeal and give wildlife an urban stopover for shelter and food.

(16-Adult) Rock gardens add a special look to any landscape. Extension Master Gardeners will teach you how to design and plant a beautiful display with fabulous small and dwarf perennials and evergreens. Not only do these plants boast great longevity, but they require little maintenance.

(16-Adult) If you have never grown a vegetable garden before, then this is the year to start. Extension Master Gardeners show you the basics of how to plan a vegetable and herb garden while conserving water, reducing waste and reducing grocery bills with a homegrown vegetable and herbs.

(Adults) Learn how to plan, plant and grow your food in an environmentally friendly way. Extension Master Gardeners show you how to get the most out of your spring kitchen garden and enjoy home grown vegetables before the heat of summer.

(16-Adult) In honor of Stop Food Waste Day, learn how to regrow vegetables, herbs, and more from your food scraps. Start your own kitchen scrap garden with a grow bag and potatoes. Whether you have a windowsill or a garden, you’ll discover easy ways to stretch your groceries, reduce food waste and boost food resilience.

(16-Adult) Groundcovers can be a great accent in the garden with many flowering and evergreen options for sun or shade. Join Green Spring Gardens staff for a short lecture on how to use groundcovers to solve design challenges, followed by a walk around the grounds to view some of our gardeners’ favorites. Dress for the weather.

(4-10 yrs.) Prepare the garden for spring planting, churning the soil like the worms you will learn about. Take home a worm-themed craft.

(4-10 yrs.) Pollinators help our fruits, vegetables and flowers grow. Learn about our native pollinators and make a butterfly related craft.

(4-10 yrs.) Harvest herbs from the garden to make teas and other treats.

(13-Adult) Learn how to grow fresh herbs and vegetables year-round. Perfect for beginners and apartment dwellers, this hands-on course covers everything from choosing the right containers and soil to lighting, watering and plant care. Discover easy-to-grow edible plants that thrive indoors and gain the confidence to start your own windowsill or balcony garden. Supply fee payable at first class.

(16-Adult) Explore how nature, metaphor, and deep listening can enhance connection—with yourself, others and the world around you. This immersive 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.

(4-Adult) Join us at Green Spring Gardens each month for a nature-themed scavenger hunt and discovery walk. Explore different aspects of the garden while searching for seasonal blooms and monthly-themed objects hidden throughout the park. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(All Ages) Bring your unwanted houseplants, cuttings and containers to swap with others or simply give away. Leave with new plants, containers, garden friends and expert advice. Registration encouraged. Free.

(16-Adult) Discover the inspiring stories of women who have revolutionized seed farming practices and reshaped the future of agriculture. Then, get your hands dirty and learn how to start your own seeds—no experience needed, and all materials are provided. Grow knowledge, grow community, grow food.

(16-Adult) An Extension Master Gardener docent showcases our nationally accredited witch hazel collection, featuring over 200 specimens. Fragrant, willowy blooms glow red, yellow, purple and copper throughout the gardens from fall through March.

(16-Adult) From onion grass and violets to elusive morels, learn how to identify a variety of wild plants that may be growing right in your own backyard. Take a walk with fresh eyes and rediscover your surroundings through the lens of foraging. This class will guide you through the basics of safe and responsible foraging, including key identification tips, potential look-alikes and culinary or medicinal uses of each plant. You'll leave with a new appreciation for the natural abundance around you. Please be aware that foraging is prohibited in Fairfax County parks.

(Adults) Tour Green Spring's beautiful demonstration gardens with a master gardener docent. Enjoy some standout plants of spring and find inspiration in our garden designs. Hear about our 18th century origins and our mission today.

(All Ages) It's springtime and that often means rainy days. Let’s get together for a cozy session of reading books about rain, making rainy day crafts and singing songs. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(All Ages) Let's learn all about squirrels. Read stories about squirrels and have fun making a squirrel craft. Then hunt for squirrel homes on a walk around the gardens. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(16-Adult) Join Green Spring Staff on a walking tour of John C. and Margaret K. White Gardens Park (6711 Princess Anne Lane, Falls Church). Stroll through this serene natural setting while discovering a stunning variety of flowering plants, trees, and shrubs that thrive during spring. Learn about the diverse collection and the restorative efforts that have been happening at this hidden oasis while taking in the colorful spring flowers.

(16-Adult) Join Smithsonian Gardens horticulturist, Christine Price-Abelow for a fascinating lecture on the garden surrounding the National Museum of the American Indian. Learn about the carefully selected native plants, their cultural significance, and the stories they tell about the land and Indigenous traditions. Discover how the landscape honors the connection between plants and the American Indian community.

(16-Adult) Discover how great changes and events from America’s past were viewed “from the doorstep” of Green Spring’s Historic House. In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary this year, a Green Spring historian interprets pivotal chapters of American history through the lives of people who lived and worked here. From the nation’s founding to the late 20th century, hear compelling stories of public service, trailblazing women, Gilded Age excess, war, espionage, enslavement and struggles for freedom as witnessed, experienced and even driven by Green Spring’s past occupants.