(1-24 months) It’s never too early to enjoy the gardens. This gentle gardening class, designed for little ones and their caregivers, guides little ones in experiencing the garden. Through sensory play, songs and simple planting activities, babies and young toddlers explore nature in a safe, engaging environment. Each session introduces age-appropriate garden elements to spark curiosity and connection with the natural world as well as tips on how to safely explore the gardens with your baby.

(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) Ignite your botanical passion at the first annual Winter Gardens Symposium on Saturday, February 20, 2027, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens. Immerse yourself in winter flora with an elite Hamamelis panel featuring witch hazel luminaries Tim Brotzman, Rick Lewandowski and Chris Lane (appearing virtually from the U.K.). Discover seasonal gems during Tim Calkins’ talk, "Snowdrops in a Virginia Garden." Shop coveted witch hazels, snowdrops and rare plants from premier vendors, see the witch hazel collection in bloom, then celebrate the landmark groundbreaking ceremony for the new Green Spring Winter Garden. This special event is sponsored by the Friends of Green Spring.

(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.

(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.

(8-Adult) Learn about owls and take a walk to explore where they might nest at Green Spring. Then dissect an owl pellet to discover what your owl has been eating. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Each registrant receives one owl pellet.

(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.

(3-Adult) Discover how music grows in the garden! Explore natural materials such as bamboo, seed pods, gourds, sticks and stones to create their own unique musical instruments. Along the way, learn how sound is made through vibration, rhythm and pitch while experimenting with the many sounds found in nature. End the class with a garden jam session where everyone can play their handmade instruments together. No musical experience is needed, and all materials are provided. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.

(7-Adult) Discover how to make hamster-friendly gardens—safe, enriching spaces designed to support natural behaviors like burrowing, foraging and exploring. Learn how to create a safe little garden for your hamster. Then make your own small hamster garden to take home.

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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) Properly selected shrubs are easy to care for and can provide year-round interest. Shrubs add shape and structure, in addition to their fragrant flowers, berries, color, foliage and colored stems. Join Extension master gardeners to expand your plant palette with the best shrub varieties for striking color, foliage and blooms.

(16-Adult) Hostas are a perfect plant for the beginning gardener. They feature a variety of colors, shapes and textures and have decorative foliage. Hostas are very easy to grow, adaptable and relatively fool-proof. Learn about the hundreds of hosta choices you have from Extension master gardeners in this session.

(16-Adult) Refresh and reimagine your garden with guidance from an Extension Master Gardener. Whether you're renovating an existing landscape or starting from scratch, you'll learn to evaluate your space, identify your needs, and rethink your garden space to better match your style.

(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 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.

(14-Adult) Explores the concept of dog sensory gardens—outdoor spaces designed to stimulate a dog’s senses of smell, touch, sight and sound. Learn how sensory enrichment supports canine well-being, reduces stress and encourages natural behaviors. Discuss key design elements, plant selection, safety considerations and practical tips for creating engaging environments regardless of size.

(2-5 yrs.) ¡Ven a descubrir la magia del jardín en español. A través de canciones, cuentos, juegos y actividades prácticas, los niños explorarán plantas, flores, semillas e insectos mientras desarrollan vocabulario y amor por la naturaleza. Cada clase incluye experiencias sensoriales, observación de la vida en el jardín y oportunidades para sembrar, regar y cuidar plantas. Llévate una manera para seguir divirtiéndote en casa. Los niños deben estar acompañado por un adulto.

(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) A 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) Grow flowers, vegetables and herbs from seed and expand your garden. Be inspired by Green Spring staff members as they discuss potting mixes, containers, seed treatments, lighting, fertilization, watering, seed sources and timing. Then take home a few seeds to start your own collection.

(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. Winter read: Junglekeeper: What It Takes to Change the World by Paul Rosolie. Activity: Tropical Houseplant. Class meets January 13 and February 10.

(16-Adult) Green Spring historian Debbie Waugh examines how Green Spring’s story has been told through the lens of the press. Newspaper articles, advertisements, society columns, and lifestyle features have chronicled the site’s evolution from 18th century plantation to public garden. Discover how coverage of Green Spring - from formal property announcements to human interest storytelling to preservation and environmental advocacy – also reveals how reportage in America has changed with the times.

(16-Adult) Join Yolima Carr for an engaging presentation on working with nature rather than against it. Drawing on practical experience, she explores how gardeners, farmers and land stewards can reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides by promoting soil health, biodiversity and natural ecological processes. Learn why restoration and conservation efforts are most successful when they mimic nature’s patterns and how Virginia’s rich natural resources—from forests and rivers to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast—support healthier, more sustainable communities. Discover how respecting and collaborating with the natural world benefits both people and the environment.

(16-Adult) Discover how Fairfax County Park Authority is helping restore and protect the natural places we all enjoy. Join FCPA ecologist, Darko Veljkovic for an inspiring look at the "Helping Our Land Heal" program, exploring efforts to revive habitats, preserve natural resources and create healthier ecosystems. Through stories, lessons learned and real-world case studies, learn about the challenges and successes behind restoring our parks and how thoughtful stewardship can make a lasting difference for the environment and future generations.

(16-Adult) Join Kimberley Dean, better known as The Rose Geek, a Master Gardener, Consulting Rosarian and popular social media educator who inspires thousands of rose enthusiasts with practical, research-based advice. Learn how to select, grow and care for beautiful, healthy roses through every season, discover standout varieties and gain expert tips you can use in your own garden—whether you're just getting started or have years of experience.

(16-Adult) Join edible landscaper, author, and permaculture designer Michael Judd for an engaging exploration of some of the easiest and most rewarding fruits and berries to grow in the Mid-Atlantic region. Discover low-maintenance, naturally resilient plants that thrive with minimal effort, making them perfect for home gardens and landscapes. Learn simple food forest design techniques to help you create a thriving, productive ecosystem that supports both biodiversity and abundance. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced grower, you will gain valuable insights into growing delicious, regenerative food with ease. Lecture is held online with an option to watch at the Horticulture Center. A link for the program will be emailed no later than the morning of the event.

(16-Adult) Explore how small-scale, everyday green spaces—from balconies and backyards to community plots and urban corners—are reshaping how we think about food, ecology, and climate resilience with Thomas M. Siebel Distinguished Professor in the History of Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author, Kate Brown as she discusses her new book Tiny Gardens Everywhere. Discover the power of “tiny gardens” to build biodiversity, strengthen local communities, and reconnect people with the land. Lecture is held online with an option to watch at the Horticulture Center. A link for the program will be emailed no later than the morning of the event.

(All Ages) Come enjoy the wonders of winter inside while we play with "snow" and build snowball launchers. We'll read fun books about snow and wintertime. All attendees, including parents, must be registered for the program.