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N° 168 — October 11, 2023

Enjoy regular updates and insights from FONA, the U.S. National Arboretum, and our award-winning Washington Youth Garden.

Culture Crops: Pumpkins

Pumpkins are all around us this time of the year as Halloween decorations, flavoring for seasonal drinks, and pie filling. But we owe the pumpkins we know and love today to Indigenous Americans from thousands of years ago.


Pumpkins are one of the oldest domesticated crops in the Western Hemisphere. Indigenous Americans in what is now the Oaxaca region of Mexico began cultivating pumpkins over 10,000 years ago. Their use spread to Indigenous communities in eastern and northern North America by about 2,700 BCE. Squash and pumpkins are often associated as part of the "three sisters" companion planting, where they are grown alongside corn and beans. However, Indigenous peoples started cultivating squash thousands of years before the other two. Squash were dried and used as containers, or their seeds and flesh were cooked into a myriad of foods.

If it weren't for these Indigenous peoples domesticating pumpkins, squash would have gone extinct long ago. Before humans arrived in the Americas at least 14,000 years ago, wild squash populations in the genus Cucurbita had developed a symbiotic relationship with giant mammalian herbivores. These large mammals were able to eat the bitter seeds produced by these wild squash, while smaller mammals couldn't tolerate them.


When humans arrived, they hunted these large mammals to extinction, and the squash that depended on these animals almost went extinct, too. Domestication began as humans started using squash likely as tools and containers.


Learn More About the Domestication of Pumpkins >

Volunteers hold squash harvested from the Washington Youth Garden.

Garlic Planting Party

See a whole lot of pumpkins, squash, and other culture crops growing in the Washington Youth Garden during the upcoming Garlic Planting Party on Saturday, October 28th from 11 AM to 2 PM. Learn about gardening, plant garlic, harvest vegetables, taste fall foods, enjoy fall art activities, and more!


This event is free and open to participants of all ages. Wearing Halloween costumes is highly encouraged. Please register to let us know you're coming.


Register for the Garlic Planting Party >

Call for Event Volunteers

We're looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming fall events! We need volunteers for the Fall 5K on Sunday, November 12th to help hand out race materials, distribute water, and help direct racers. We also need volunteers to help with the Winter Festival & Tree Sale on December 2nd. Fill out our FONA volunteer interest form and we will reach out soon to learn about your availability.


Volunteer Interest Form >

Photo from Kingman + Heritage Islands.

From our Friends: Kingman + Heritage Islands

Head over to Kingman and Heritage Islands on Saturday, October 14th from 10 AM to 2 PM for Friends & Family Day! These islands are located just south of the National Arboretum on the Anacostia River. Enjoy a range of outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, yoga, nature walks, rock exploration, and much more!


Learn More & Register for Friends & Family Day >

Outdoor Corner

We BE Walkin', in partnership with FONA, will host Fallin' for the Trails, a free walk and yoga event on Sunday, October 22nd from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. We BE Walkin' is a group dedicated to introducing Black and Brown people to the outdoors. This event will take participants on a 2.5 mile walk around the Arboretum and conclude with a short yoga flow and refreshments. Registration is required for this event.


Register for Fallin' for the Trails >

Photo by We BE Walkin'.

Upcoming Events

Garlic Planting Party

October 28, 11 AM - 2 PM

Fall planting, crafts, and more in Washington Youth Garden

Details & Registration >


Fall 5K

November 12, 9 AM

Run or walk through stunning fall foliage (Members use your discount code)

Details & Registration >


Winter Festival & Tree Sale

December 2, 10 AM - 4 PM

Holiday market, Christmas trees, activities

Details Coming Soon!


Christmas Tree Sale

December 3, 10 AM - 4 PM

Purchase Christmas trees & holiday greenery

Details Coming Soon!


Volunteer in Washington Youth Garden

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Opportunities for individuals, groups, & teens

Details & Registration >


Forest Bathing Walks

Various dates and times

Meditation and mindfulness

Upcoming Dates & Registration >

The Arboretum is open every day from 8 AM to 5 PM except December 25th.

Check Our Website for Full Details >

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Friends of the National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544.8733
FONA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with the mission to preserve and enhance a vibrant public space and support experiential programming that instills a love of plants, nature and the outdoors in all who visit, while promoting the overarching research and education mission of the U.S. National Arboretum.

Since its inception, FONA has helped support the Washington Youth Garden, Capitol Columns, Flowering Tree Walk, horticultural and research internships, restoration of Springhouse Run, and much more.

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