Join horticulture staff and volunteers on a walk around the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants to learn about connections between people, plants and place.  Each month will feature a different seasonal topic related to gardening with native plants. Look for additional walks on April 3, May 1 and June 5.   

Join us for a one-hour online class that invites you to explore the relationship between your body and the natural world through the lens of ecosomatics. Rooted in somatic awareness and ecological connection, ecosomatics offers a framework for deepening your embodied understanding of place, self and the environment. Through a series of short, guided prompts and exercises, we will engage the senses, tune into the rhythms of nature and cultivate a sense of presence and connection. Whether you are new to somatic practices or an experienced practitioner, this class offers an accessible and refreshing way to reconnect with the living world around you. This program will be recorded and shared with all registered participants.   

Late winter is the time to start planning your spring and summer vegetable garden. Starting your vegetables from seed gives you the opportunity to expand the varieties of plants you grow, from that unusual bean variety to the squash you can’t find in a grocery store. Learn the benefits of growing vegetables from seed as horticulturist Megan Brown guides you through the process from germination to harvest. Imagine crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers and other garden-grown delights in your kitchen. Learn what to start from seed now for transplanting later and what should be sown directly into the garden. Participants will plant several varieties of vegetables from seed to take home to your garden and receive other resources for garden planning. All materials provided.   

Build your bird observation skills on a slow stroll through Duke Gardens as you gather a list of different birds that use the Gardens. If you have ever found yourself wondering about the birds that are flying or singing around you, bring those questions with you to learn together as a group. Bring your own binoculars if you have them (not required) and a sense of curiosity.