Coffee and Icebreaker
Check-in, meet your fellow new gardeners, and enjoy hot drinks and light snacks.

Welcome and Intro to The Woodlands History
The Woodlands staff will provide an overview of the history of the site from pre-colonial history to 18th century pleasure garden to 19th century garden cemetery, to modern day green oasis.

The Business of Horticulture in Philadelphia
Joel Fry, Curator at Bartram’s Garden, will discuss Philadelphia's early horticultural economy and the city's role in shaping early horticulture in America. He will also share research on the rise of hobby gardening in the 19th century and nurseries that catered to the middle class. These trends related to the development of greenhouse technology, which allowed the mass production of cheap flowering plants. 

Seed Starting Demonstration
We know you’re really here for the plants and flowery fun, so we’ll dig in! Some plants like a headstart and can be planted indoors weeks before the last frost. Learn to read a seed packet, what tools are handy for at home seed starting, and get hands on practice. 

Soil Health and Pest and Disease Prevention 
Learn the basics of pest and disease management, starting with building healthy soil and choosing plants for success.

Favorite Grave Garden Plants
In this session Robin Rick, Facilities and Landscape Manager, will share photos of our favorite grave garden plants through the seasons and provide information about what growing companions and conditions they like. 

Grave Gardening 101 - Special Q and A with Returning Gardeners
Returning gardeners will share their experiences then take questions from all of you! We’ll also give you a tour around the special Grave Gardener’s website and its many resources.

Happy Hour
Explore the Hamilton Mansion and talk plants with new and returning gardeners. 

Recommended reading on horticulture history at The Woodlands:
Introducing The Two Williams
Found in the Floorboards
William Bartrams Travels

Expedition Volume 62 No. 3, Fall 2020
(Magazine of the Univ. of Penn. Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology featuring three articles about The Woodlands)