Sprouts Preschool Gardening Class
2025-03-25 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-04-01 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
Sprouts Preschool Gardening Program
Enroll now; space is limited!
Mobile Botanical Gardens is thrilled to introduce Sprouts, a unique and engaging preschool gardening program designed specifically for children ages 3-5. This 6 week program is carefully crafted to foster a deep connection between young children and the natural world, while teaching valuable skills and promoting overall well-being.
The Benefits of Kids Gardening
Gardening has long been recognized as a powerful tool for promoting physical, cognitive, and emotional development in children. By participating in hands-on gardening activities, children can:
– Develop responsibility and patience through caring for plants.
– Enhance their understanding of the natural world and the interconnections of living things.
– Improve their physical health through outdoor activity and exploration.
– Boost their cognitive development through experiential learning and discovery.
– Cultivate emotional well-being through connection with nature and creative expression.
Class Structure and Activities
Each week, certified teacher Sara Habel will guide children and their accompanying adults through an engaging and interactive exploration of the wonders of gardening. Sessions will include:
– Hands-on gardening activities, such as planting seeds, watering plants, and time caring for the garden we plant
– Interactive songs, stories, and games to reinforce learning and promote creativity
– Crafts and art projects designed to extend learning and encourage self-expression
– Opportunities for children to observe, explore, and learn about the different parts of a plant and their functions
Class Schedule and Topics
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the world of gardening!
Our 6-week preschool gardening program will cover the following topics:
– March 18th: Introduction to Gardening – Parts of a Plant and Plant Needs/ Planting our Garden
– March 25th: Roots – What do roots do?
– April 1st: Stems – What do stems do?
– April 8th: Leaves – What do leaves do?
– April 15th: Flowers and Pollinators – Why are flowers important? What do pollinators do?
– April 29th: Fruits and Seeds – Why are fruits important? What are seeds used for?
Prepare to have fun and get a little dirty with your child!
Don’t miss this opportunity to nurture your child’s curiosity, creativity, and love for nature. Join us for Sprouts and watch your child thrive in a supportive, interactive, and fun environment!
$85 for MBG Members/ $90 for not-yet members
Register and pay here. We look forward to helping your child grow and bloom!

Sketch Club in the Gardens
2025-03-28 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-02 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-09 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-16 14:00 - 16:00 and 8 more dates | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
What: A casual sketch club experience with oversight from Derek Norman, botanical arts instructor
When: Friday afternoons, 2-4pm*
Where: The Larkins Classroom OR at Magnolia Hill Studio
Cost: FREE for MBG Members, regular admission for nonmembers. (Benefits of membership) (Join Now!)
*The sketch club generally meets on Friday afternoons, subject to availability of space. Contact the office at 251.342.0555 to verify hours of activity on specific dates.

-=-The drawings and paintings shown here are by recent members of the Gardens Sketch Club and botanical art students of the MBG. They serve as examples of what can be achieved by those with none or very little previous experience drawing and painting.
We invite you to visit the Garden’s Sketch Club and to enjoy the therapeutic rewards of learning to draw and drawing to learn! Learn how art can transform and enrich your life plus enhance your physical and mental well-being.
We meet each Friday afternoon in an open studio where we usually work, study, draw and paint. We exchange information relevant to the business of botanical art, art in general and to the consideration of individual botanical art concerns.
Join the MBG Sketch Club. – a whole new world of infinite possibilities! -=-
-Derek Norman, Educator, Designer, Artist, Author, Curator & sometime Writer. 5th October 2024
Join Derek and several of his Botanical Arts students for an enjoyable afternoon of sketching the collections of MBG.

Botanical Art: A Drawing Class for Beginners Only
2025-04-18 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-04-25 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-02 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-09 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-16 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-05-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Mobile Botanical Gardens’ Larkins Classroom, 5151 Museum Dr, Mobile, AL, 36608, United States
BOTANICAL ART: A DRAWING CLASS FOR BEGINNERS ONLY
Fridays from 10 AM – 1 PM

April 18th
April 25th
May 2nd
May 9th
May 16th
May 23rd

Instructor: Derek Norman
Members $125 / Not-Yet-Members $150
(Discover the benefits of membership and Join Now)!

Register and Pay Here!

Spring Break Camp: Art in Bloom Nature and Art
2025-04-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-23 09:00 - 16:00
“Art takes Nature as its model.” -Aristotle
Are you looking for a unique and engaging way to keep your child entertained and educated during Spring Break? Look no further! Our new Spring Break Camp, Art in Bloom, is an exciting creative collaboration with the Mobile Museum of Art that will inspire your child’s artistic side while exploring the wonders of nature!
When: Monday, April 21st through Wednesday, April 23rd, 9am – 4pm. (Mornings at Mobile Botanical Gardens, afternoons at Mobile Museum of Art).
3rd, 4th and 5th graders are invited to explore the intersection of Nature and Art together. Students will enjoy hands-on Science activities focused on plant life-cycles and pollinators in the mornings here at MBG with Education Director and certified teacher, Sara Habel. Together with Mrs. Habel, students will enjoy lunch (bring your own) and a walk to MOMA in the afternoons to enjoy Art activities and discussions about drawing inspiration from the natural environment.
It’s sure to be a Spring Break Camp that students remember fondly forever. Spaces are limited- don’t miss out on your child’s chance to join in on this fun and educational opportunity!
MBG Members receive a $50 discount and many more benefits, too; join MBG now if you haven’t already!
Art in Bloom: more info and registration link here.

Azalea City Bonsai Show
2025-04-30 09:00 - 2025-05-03 17:00
Experience the ancient practice of capturing nature in a miniature setting.
Visit the Mobile Botanical Gardens April 29 – May 3rd to see an incredible display of one of a kind bonsai!Tickets to the Azalea City Bonsai Show & Gardens are regular admission tickets (Adults – $10, Youth (Ages 5-17) – $6, Children (4 and under) – FREE, Military/Student/Senior(Ages 65+) – $8
Tickets can be purchased in our giftshop or online at: https://mbgrebloomshop.com/products/schedule-a-visit-admission
Open: 9 AM – 5 PM

Family Fun Day at MBG!
2025-05-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
Join us on may 10th for family fun day!
Saturday, may 10
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
HALF Priced admission!
$5 adults, $3 children (ages 5 – 17), children 4 & under FREE
Families are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn!

Herb Education Day with the GCHS
2025-05-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
Come enjoy the Sybil Burnett Herb Garden and celebrate the beauty and utility of herbs through two seminars presented by herbal expert Debbie Boutelier*.
First 50 Attendees Receive FREE Admission!
Later attendees will be charged a reduced admission rate of $5 per person
Please RSVP by emailing Sara here

9:00 a.m.

Welcome! Sign in and enjoy Herb Cookies and Coffee as you stroll the Herb Garden and chat with fellow herb enthusiasts.

10:00 a.m.

Herb Seminars begin, with Debbie Boutelier*
Growing and Using Popular Herbs
Break
Culinary Delights with Herbs

Debbie Boutelier, a resident of Autauga County, Alabama, has been growing and studying herbal plants and their uses for many years. She teaches workshops on numerous aspects of herbs, including organic herb gardening, the culinary uses of herbs, and other historical and practical uses in daily life. Debbie has pursued her interests in gardening and herbs on both a national and local level. Nationally, Debbie is a past President of the Herb Society of America (“HSA”), and is presently chair of HSA’s Green Bridges Program, a project to encourage gardeners nationwide to plant locally native herb plants in order to facilitate healthy ecosystems for pollinators and the plants they depend on. In Alabama, Debbie worked as an Autauga County Extension Agent for eight years, and is a certified Advanced Alabama Master Gardener. She has recently been elected for a two-year term as President of the Alabama Master Gardeners Association.
