Mobile Botanical Gardens

Sketch Club in the Gardens
2025-06-06 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-13 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-20 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-27 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-18 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-25 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) and 12 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.

1st Friday Presentation:"The Secrets of Organic Farming: The Legacy of Dr. Nettles Farm"
2025-08-01 10:00 - 23:30 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
WHAT: First Friday Presentation by Dr. Dana Nettles
WHEN: Friday, August 1st @ 10:00 AM
WHERE: Larkin’s Classroom

Join us for an inspiring presentation by Dr. Dana Nettles on the principles and secrets of sustainable, organic farming, with a focus on how traditional knowledge, natural methods, and scientific insight can work together to promote both physical and mental health, environmental stewardship, and community well-being. Discover how natural agricultural practices, rooted in generations of experience, offers a path to healing, education and environmental harmony.
There is no cost to attend the presentation but please RSVP by emailing Aeriell here.
Meet Dr. Dana Nettles
“Dr. Dana Nettles, PharmD is a licensed pharmacist who graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Biology, then continued her studies at Samford University’s Mcwhorter College of Pharmacy earning a Doctorate of Pharmacy with a minor in herbal medicine. She has been practicing pharmacy for over 30 years, and has a passion for holistic medicine, organic teas and herbal products, veggies, and fruit. Dr. Nettles is a yoga, spinning and zumba instructor and an avid runner. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority which is an organization of college educated women that are dedicated to public service. She is a health care professional with a dedicated history of service before self, working to create a world without disease.
Dana is a lifelong farmer that uses nature as a model to produce nutrient dense medicinal herbs, vegetables and fruit.Her farm is USDA certified Organic. Her and her family own a 3 acre farm in Mobile, Alabama and a commercial hoop house. They grow and sell family curated medicinal teas at local produce markets,Virginia’s Health Food store, on Amazon, Ebay, Etsyand at farmers markets. They also educated the youth at elementary schools about permaculture farming and sustainability for a health food system. Dr. Nettles has started a community garden for senior citizens along with her Master Gardener class. She has won community service awards from Alabama A&M small farms. Dr Nettles Farms is a member of Black Farmers Index and on the board of Women Who Look Ahead Mentoring and has spoken on Capitol Hill every year for the organic trade association to ensure our food supply is kept healthy and to keep our Farm Bill for our country. Health and wellness is our business.”

1st Friday Presentation: Fall Plant Sale
2025-10-03 10:00 - 23:30 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
WHAT: First Friday Presentation – Fall Plant Sale!
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 3rd @ 10 AM
WHERE: Nita’s Market Place at MBG
Join us for an exciting talk about the upcoming fall plant sale and fall planting!
Be the first to preview some of the plants available at the sale, get expert advice on plant selections for your yard, what to plant and when to plant, and any other questions you may have!
There is no cost to attend the presentation but please RSVP by emailing Jessica here.

1st Saturday for Families
2025-10-04 10:00 - 12:00 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
First Saturday for Families • October 4, 10am-12pm
Introducing a new monthly event for families! On the first Saturday of every month, bring the whole family to the Gardens for fun activities from 10am-12pm. In October there will be a LEGO building station in the gift shop and a scavenger hunt to take with you while you wander through the Gardens. Representatives from the USA Biology Department will be offering guided nature walks using to iNaturalist to identify plants and animals.
Free with general admission and for members.

Preschool Storytime: Tales and Trails in the Gardens
2025-10-09 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-10-16 10:30 - 11:30 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
Tales and Trails in the Gardens Preschool Storytime Returns!
Tales and Trails preschool storytime returns to Mobile Botanical Gardens thanks to the generous support of the Lilian S. Woolford Charitable Trust.
Join us on Thursday mornings beginning at 10:30 am in various locations throughout MBG’s 106 acres to enjoy preschool storytime together. MBG Docents will read aloud specially selected stories and lead nature-based activities perfect for preschoolers. Parents and children alike will learn and have fun in our gorgeous garden setting.
Tales and Trails in the Gardens Fall 2025 dates:
September 25 – Trees ‘If I Were a Tree’ by Dar Hosta
October 2 – Full Moon – ‘Hello, Harvest Moon’ by Ralph Fletcher
October 9 – Apples – ‘The Apple Pie Tree’ by Zoe Hall
October 16 – Seeds – ‘Planting the Wild Garden’ by Kathryn Galbraith
October 23 – Pumpkins – ‘Pumpkin Jack’ by Will Hubbell
October 30 – Halloween – ‘The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything’ by Linda Williams
Tales and Trails in the Gardens is FREE for MBG members (Membership Benefits) (Join MBG Now) or with regular admission. But registration is required; register for Tales and Trails here.

Fall Plant Sale 2025 Kick-Off!
2025-10-09 13:00 - 19:00 | MBG MarketPlace, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
NEW! We are open late to kick-off the Fall Plant Sale!
The Fall Plant Sale opens at 1 PM on Thursday, Oct. 9th at Nita’s MarketPlace at MBG. Starting at 4 PM, Come grab a bite to eat from the Soul Heaven food truck, enjoy live music by Keith ‘The Mailman’ Burns and grab a drink from the beer and wine bar staffed by Bottles Up while you shop for plants!
Open Bar wristbands ($15) can be picked up at the MBG tent next to the bar.
Click Here for More Information & For the List of Plants Available at the Sale
Check out the incredible menu that will be available at the Soul Heaven Food Truck:

Fall Plant Sale 2025
2025-10-10 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-11 09:00 - 16:00 | MBG MarketPlace, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
This may be the BEST Fall Plant Sale at MBG yet!
With hand selected plants chosen specifically for our Gulf Coast region, you can’t go wrong! AND We are happy to introduce NEW hours on Thursday, October 9th – come early and shop late with us from 1 PM – 7 PM.
The sale will continue on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 10 & 11, from 9 AM – 4 PM.
Click Here for More Information & For the List of Plants Available at the Sale

Fall Fling!
2025-10-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
WHAT: Fall Fling
WHEN: Saturday, October 18th, 10 am – 1 pm
Join us for our fall open house! Enjoy hands-on activities, yard games and browse the newest seasonal art in our gift shop. Fall snacks will be available for purchase. The Environmental Studies Center will be presenting nocturnal animals at 11:00.
Free with general admission and for members.

Annual Membership Meeting
2025-10-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 MUSEUM DR, MOBILE, AL, 36608, United States
Email Jessica to RSVP Here
