Garden field trips are back! We're excited to welcome students and teachers back into Washington Youth Garden this spring for the first time in two years.

Our SPROUT field trips offer interactive garden-based experiences where students can learn about garden basics, pollination, or nutrition. Classes can also dig deeper with pre- and post-trip lessons and Grow@Home kits.

Trips are available Wednesdays and Fridays from April through June and September through November. Interested in joining us or know a teacher who might be?

Join us Saturday, April 2nd from 10 AM to 1 PM for our Spring into School Gardening event. During this event open to all DC teachers, we'll share school garden supplies, garden maintenance training, Grow@Home kits, and more. Slow Food DC will also host a seed swap during the event!

This event is free but registration is required. We'll also have complimentary lunch and coffee.

Last fall, Vira Sisolak, a UDC Master Gardener, noticed an unusual pest on crapemyrtles throughout the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Together with a DC Urban Forestry Division arborist, they identified the pest as crapemyrtle bark scale. This pest is new to the mid-Atlantic region and has implications for crapemyrtle health.

Mary Blakeslee (FONA member) worked with Vira to spread the word about this new pest with the FONA community.

Volunteer in Washington Youth Garden on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting in April. Volunteers are critical in helping us grow food and support our community with fresh produce.

Volunteer at Springhouse Run on April 7th from 10 AM to 1 PM and help pull invasive vines and weeds to keep the stream healthy.

All eyes are on the bald eagle nest high above the Arboretum's Azalea Collections. The two eggs laid by Mr. President and LOTUS over President's Day weekend are expected to hatch any day now.

In order to hatch, the chick must pip its way out of the shell all on its own, a process that can take one or two days. Pipping is when the chick uses a special egg tooth on the top of its beak to scratch the inside of the shell, weakening the shell enough for it to get out.

The Epic of Gilgamesh theater performance originally scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled due to COVID-19 exposure in the ensemble. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more information regarding rescheduling this event.

March 27, 9 AM - 3 PM

Native plant vendors and expert advice

April 6, 7 PM & 8:15 PM

Strolling choral performance through collections

April 30, 8 AM - 4 PM

Plants, local products, and expert advice

May 15, 8 PM - Midnight

Laid-back viewing in the Meadow

June 25, 9 AM

Scenic race through collections in full bloom