EVENTS & PROGRAMS

WASHINGTON YOUTH GARDEN

Washington Youth Garden (WYG) is a one-acre education garden at the National Arboretum and is a destination for garden-based education and nature play. It was originally established in 1971 to teach local elementary students horticulture and life skills.

Today, Washington Youth Garden is a welcoming and inviting place for the DC community to learn and grow together. WYG’s sensory garden, innovative growing techniques, and nature-explore classroom encourage visitors of all ages to engage with agriculture, farming, and environmental education. Thousands of pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables are grown in WYG each year, all of which are distributed to students and families in the DC community to fight food insecurity.

view of washington youth garden planted with fall crops

Visit the Garden

The garden is open to all Arboretum visitors and has parking nearby. Please follow our three garden agreements during your visit:

  1. Stay on the path
  2. Pick with permission
  3. Respect all living things
washington youth garden guests plant garlic at the annual garlic planting party

Garden Events

We host many events open to the public throughout the year, such as School Garden Maintenance mornings, weekend Family Days, and our fall Garlic Planting Party. See our calendar for upcoming events in Washington Youth Garden.

green ambassador harvesting lettuce in the washington youth garden

Get Involved

Individual, group, and youth volunteers provide crucial help with gardening tasks such as weeding, planting, mulching, and pest control from April through mid-November. You don’t need prior experience, but you must be willing to make friends with the soil and the bugs! See our garden page to learn more.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

With a focus on serving under-resourced communities, FONA nurtures curious minds and healthy bodies by connecting youth to food, the land, and each other. Our youth education programs take place at Washington Youth Garden on the grounds of the U.S. National Arboretum and in partner schools across Washington, DC.

1

Title 1 schools accomplished 45 goals through the Educator Coaching Program

1

Green Ambassadors honed their gardening, leadership, and communication skills

1

school garden events hosted at partner schools

1

DC Title 1 school students engaged in hands-on garden education

Educator leading a SPROUT field trip in the Washington Youth Garden

School Garden Support Program

The School Garden Support Program works with educators across DC to build strong, sustainable school garden programs. Our program empowers teachers to connect students to garden-based education through field trips in Washington Youth Garden, virtual classroom support, and professional development opportunities for DC educators.

Green Ambassadors with harvested produce in the Washington Youth Garden

Green Ambassador Program

The Green Ambassador Program (GAP) provides year-round employment and development opportunities for DC high school students. Youth enter the program in the Farm Crew and progress to become Crew Leaders, staff, and alumni.

RECREATION PROGRAMS & PUBLIC EVENTS

We host recreation programs and public events that encourage a connection to nature, science, health, and wellness. Check out our calendar below to see what’s available.

Forest Bathing

Connect with nature while exploring the grounds. During this two-hour program, our certified nature and forest therapy guide will invite you to reflect on the world around you and guide you through focused meditations. See calendar below for dates and times, or buy a forest bathing gift card for someone else.

capitol columns illuminated at night

Photography Workshops

Hone your nighttime photography skills by learning through sunset and sunrise photo workshops at the National Arboretum. Learn from the experts and register for a class with Capital Photography Center.

fall 5k runners jumping in the air

Fitness Activities

Stay active at the Arboretum through summer yoga classes and the spring Flowering 5K and Fall 5K running races.

Interested in becoming a 5K sponsor? Check out our race sponsorship package to learn more!

garden fair and plant sale visitor browsing plants

Garden Fair & Plant Sale

The spring Garden Fair & Plant Sale takes place every year on the last weekend of April. Shop from thousands of plants and over 25 local gardening, lifestyle, and food vendors. You can also get advice from our expert gardeners and enjoy free family activities.

fall festival and bulb sale volunteer with bulbs

Fall Festival & Bulb Sale

The annual Fall Festival & Bulb Sale takes place in late September or early October. Visitors can stock up garden bulbs, shop at local vendors, and have fun with the family through free nature-based activities.

winter festival attendees shopping from vendors

Winter Festival & Christmas Tree Sale

Join us for the annual Winter Festival & Christmas Tree Sale in early December. Visitors can buy Christmas trees and other holiday greenery, shop from over 25 local vendors, and enjoy free family activities.

DINNER UNDER THE STARS

Join us Tuesday, September 19th, 2022 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM for our 27th annual Dinner Under the Stars. Enjoy cocktails in the National Herb Garden and a tented dinner in view of the Capitol Columns. Spend a wonderful fall evening with colleagues, business leaders, and government representatives. The Dinner is a fantastic way to mix and mingle — senior staff and officials from Capitol Hill and the Administration will be invited, however attendance cannot be guaranteed.

Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour
Dinner Under the Stars attendees in the tent preparing for dinner
Dinner Under the Stars attendees at cocktail hour

VIRTUAL EVENTS

In our Digging In virtual event series, we host experts to discuss exciting topics pertaining to the National Arboretum’s mission.  As a FONA member, you can attend the events live and dig in with the experts.

Want to watch “Digging In” live?

CALENDAR

Apply

march

sat23marAll Day37th Annual Lahr Native Plant SymposiumHosted by the U.S. National Arboretum

sat23mar8:00 amsat1:00 pmNative Plant SaleNative plant vendors

sun24mar9:00 amsun12:00 pmFlowering 5KRun or walk past blooming collections

sun24mar12:00 pmsun1:30 pmSpring Into School GardeningNew date! Free school garden supplies for educators

sat30mar9:00 amsat11:00 amForest Bathing with SageGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

sat30mar9:30 amsat12:30 pmVolunteer Day in the Washington Youth GardenMulch Day for the New Fence

april

sat06apr10:00 amsat12:00 pmVolunteer Open HouseLearn about volunteer opportunities

sat06apr2:00 pmsat4:00 pmYouth Poetry SlamPoetry Competition in WYG

sat20apr9:00 amsat11:00 amForest Bathing with Nicole & SageGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

sat27apr9:00 amsat4:00 pmGarden Fair & Plant SalePlants, vendors, and free activities

may

sat04mayAll DayBonsai Basics: Chrysanthemum BonsaiHosted by the U.S. National Arboretum

sat11may9:00 amsat11:00 amMother's Day Weekend Forest Bathing with Nicole & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

fri17may7:00 pmfri8:30 pmMusic in the Meadow: Cumbia HeightsTickets go on sale in early April

june

sat08jun11:00 amsat2:00 pmGrow the Garden PartyTickets go on sale in early May

sat08jun7:00 pmsat8:30 pmMusic in the Meadow: WylderTickets go on sale in early May

sat15jun9:00 amsat11:00 amFather's Day Weekend Forest Bathing with Sage & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

july

sat13jul9:00 amsat11:00 amForest Bathing with Sage & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

august

sat17aug9:00 amsat11:00 amForest Bathing with Sage & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

september

tue17sep5:30 pmtue9:00 pm28th Annual Dinner Under the StarsCocktails & Tented Dinner

sun22sep9:00 amsun11:00 amFall Equinox Forest Bathing with Sage & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

october

mon14oct9:00 ammon11:00 amIndigenous Peoples' Day Forest Bathing with Sage & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

november

sun10nov9:00 amsun12:00 pmFall 5KMore Info Coming Soon

mon11nov9:00 ammon11:00 amVeteran's Day Forest Bathing with Sage & PaulGuided Meditation & Mindfulness

december

tue31dec9:00 amtue4:30 pmNew Year's Eve Forest Bathing with Nicole3 Special Events, tickets go on sale 10/1

filter icon

Use the filter function (above) marked with this icon to narrow down the list of events. Items in black do not have links yet.

keyboard_arrow_up