UW Botanic Gardens Featured

Autumn Showers Virtual Story Time

01 Sep 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Online
Ongoing through Wednesday, September 30, 2026

We love rain! Rainbows, puddles, and even mushrooms need rain to form. Stop by the Miller Library in September or October 2026 to make a mushroom picture.

A PLACE FOR RAIN by Michelle Schaub and Blanca Gómez
HELLO, PUDDLE! by Anita Sanchez and Luisa Uribe
MUSHROOM RAIN by Laura K. Zimmerman & Jamie Green

Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature.

Event interval: Ongoing event
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Children, Families
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Native Plants 101: Gardening with Bulbs (Online)

17 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Online via Zoom
Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 7 – 8:30 pm

Cost: $25 - Advance registration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

This class introduces participants to the unique world of Pacific Northwest native flowering bulbs. We’ll explore their ecological roles in local ecosystems, their ethnobotanical significance, and the methods used to cultivate bulbs in nursery settings. Participants will also gain practical guidance on how to incorporate native bulbs into home gardens.

This class will be taught by Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager, formerly the SER-UW Native Plant Nursery Manager.

New to Zoom or need more information? Get Started Here.

All times are Pacific Time.

Accessibility: Closed captioning (through Zoom) is available for all of our online classes. This class will be recorded and available for registrants to view for 2 weeks after the class date.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm Native Plant Nursery Manager
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Gardening with the Seasons: Fall (online)

18 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Online via Zoom
Thursday, September 17, 2026, 7 – 8:30 pm

Cost: $25
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Autumn is a dynamic season in the garden. Many plants are heading into dormancy, while others are in a period of active growth. Doing the right gardening tasks now can set the stage for next year's garden: adding new plants for seasonal interest or making changes to address problems observed over the past season. Some of the best things to do - or to avoid - at this time of year may seem counter-intuitive to some gardeners. This session will cover what to plant in fall, lawn care, how to prepare the garden for winter, and how to maximize seasonal interest and appearance.

About this series:
Plants and gardens don't live by the written calendar, but by the seasonal cycles and cues of changes in daylight, temperature, and moisture. When gardeners become acquainted with the seasonal rhythms and life cycles in the garden, and learn to work in sync with nature, caring for the garden becomes more of a process and less of a battle with potential garden enemies. This series will help beginning and seasoned gardeners learn how to capitalize on optimal timing and sustainable practices to have a great garden all year long.

Instructor Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes. She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®. For Christina, the next best thing to being in the garden is teaching and writing about gardening.

This online class will be delivered using Zoom. New to Zoom? Get started here.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Gardening with the Seasons: Fall (in-person)

19 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, September 19, 2026, 10 am – 12:15 pm

Cost: $35
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Join us in person at the Center for Urban Horticulture! Autumn is a dynamic season in the garden. Many plants are heading into dormancy, while others are in a period of active growth. Doing the right gardening tasks now can set the stage for next year's garden: adding new plants for seasonal interest or making changes to address problems observed over the past season. Some of the best things to do - or to avoid - at this time of year may seem counter-intuitive to some gardeners. This session will cover what to plant in fall, lawn care, how to prepare the garden for winter, and how to maximize seasonal interest and appearance. In addition to hands-on demonstrations, we will end the class by taking a stroll through the Center for Urban Horticulture’s gardens.

About this series:
Plants and gardens don't live by the written calendar, but by the seasonal cycles and cues of changes in daylight, temperature, and moisture. When gardeners become acquainted with the seasonal rhythms and life cycles in the garden, and learn to work in sync with nature, caring for the garden becomes more of a process and less of a battle with potential garden enemies. This series will help beginning and seasoned gardeners learn how to capitalize on optimal timing and sustainable practices to have a great garden all year long.

Instructor Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes. She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®. For Christina, the next best thing to being in the garden is teaching and writing about gardening.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Campus room: Douglas Research Conservatory
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Watercolors from Natural Pigments (in-person)

20 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm

Price: $72, preregistration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

This workshop will introduce the process of lake pigmentation, the creation of pigments from organic materials. Students will learn about common plants used for pigments as well as the process of creating watercolor paint from dried pigments. Each student will leave with two watercolor paints created during class. Class fee covers all necessary supplies.

Anneke Wilder is an artist and illustrator based in Seattle, WA. Anneke received degrees in Biology and Studio Art, as well as a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from UW. She’s participated in numerous artist residencies at the nexus of art and science and is a contributor to Hyldyr, a publication company that combines art, ecology, and folklore. She draws on her background in the sciences to create detailed watercolors that deal with themes of growth and decay—of our bodies, our culture, and our landscapes. Her work often incorporates natural pigments extracted from foraged organic matter such as plants and fungi, and this exploration allows her to connect deeply with the environments she lives and creates her work in. Check out her work at www.annekewilder.com

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Campus room: Douglas Classroom
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Anneke Wilder
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Urban Foraging: Weeds & Wild Foods (in-person)

20 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Discovery Park, North Parking Lot
Sunday, September 20, 2026, 1 – 4 pm

Cost: $45
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Participate in this 'weed walk' and learn how to identify and gather some of the most common edible weeds and wild foods available in your garden and in other disturbed areas. Many gardeners are already recognizing many of the benefits of these 'interlopers.' However, when it comes to serving them up in the kitchen, few of us have learned to take full advantage of these labor-free gifts. This hands-on workshop at Discovery Park includes discussion on gathering ethics, local rules and regulations, safety, and general information about how to cook with weeds. Attendees receive a handy take-home flier with field identification information and cooking tips.

Instructor Melany Vorass Herrera studied ethnobotany at Evergreen State College and holds a degree in environmental policy. For well over 20 years, her public policy work focused on such subjects as stormwater, hazardous waste, solid waste, environmental cleanup and the Endangered Species Act. She retired to further pursue her love of plants, especially the edible kind, as well as her love of writing. Her new book, The Front Yard Forager, brings DIY harvesting right to your door, making foraging easy, accessible, and fun for everyone even in the middle of the city or suburbia. Check her out at https://frontyardforager.net/

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Melany Vorass Herrera
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Arboretum Walking Tour

26 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Washington Park Arboretum
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10 – 11:30 am

Class Cost: First Ticket $20; Additional Tickets $15 each
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Arboretum walking tours are casual walks through various areas of the 230-acre Washington Park Arboretum. Walks feature seasonal themes, collections plants, explorations of botany, and the history of our organization.

This educational tour is tailored for an adult audience, although minors are welcome. We will cover history, botany, and plant collections at the Washington Park Arboretum, highlighting plants and gardens of seasonal interest.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Catherine Nelson
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

In the Swim Virtual Story Time

01 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Online
Thursday, October 1 – Saturday, October 31, 2026

The school year is off and running. These books about field trips celebrate some joys of the autumn season.

SCHOOL OF FISH by Mary Boone and Milena Godoy
HOW MANY SEEDS IN A PUMPKIN? By Margaret McNamara and G. Brian Karas
IT’S ME, HENRY by Stéphanie Deslauriers and Geneviève Després

Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature.

Event interval: Ongoing event
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Children, Families
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Landscape Architecture Walk: Washington Park Arboretum

03 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Washington Park Arboretum
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10 am – 12 pm

Class Cost: $30
REGISTER ONLINE
discounts available for Seattle Architecture Foundation members
financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis

Join Seattle Architecture Foundation and Seattle Botanic Gardens at the Washington Park Arboretum for a tour focused on landscape architecture and site-based urban design. Landscape Architect Jason Henry (Principal at Berger Partnership) will share about the history of the Arboretum and its development. Guests should be prepared to walk approximately 2 miles on mostly paved surfaces.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: adulted@seattlebg.org
Presenter: Jason Henry, Principal at Berger Partnership
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Botanical Fiber Art Workshop: Magical Mushroom Embroidery Basics (in-person)

04 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sunday, October 4, 2026, 10 am – 12 pm

Class Cost: $50, pre-registration required
REGISTER ONLINE
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Let’s stitch magical mushrooms! Learn to embroider a playful bunch of fungi in this embroidery workshop with fiber artist Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ. This two-hour, hands-on workshop covers a variety of beginner-friendly embroidery stitches such as the satin stitch, back stitch, reverse chain stitch, long and short satin stitch, and French knot. Each attendee will receive a full kit that includes a wooden embroidery hoop, mushroom transfer designs, an embroidery needle, full skeins of embroidery thread, cream cotton fabric, backing materials, and printed instructions.

Melissa Galbraith is the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. She learned a love of hands-on crafting from her mother at an early age. After years in corporate communications and social media, Melissa re-found the joy of hand embroidery. She's now a full-time artist. Melissa designs hand embroidery kits, teaches hands-on workshops, and authors multiple embroidery books. She loves that embroidery is like coloring with thread and the ah-ha moment of helping others learn something new.

Melissa wants you to fall in love with embroidery like she has. Find helpful tips on her blog, join her for a workshop, or read one her books: How to Embroider Texture and Pattern, DIY Embroidered Shoes, and 3D Botanical Embroidery & Stumpwork.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Melissa Galbraith
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…