Below are the trainings offered by the OSSE School Gardens Program to support garden-based teaching and learning in District schools.
School Garden 101 Training
This training was created by OSSE as a helpful guide for school-based staff interested in learning more about the process of creating a school garden.
There are four components to this training:
1) Establishing a New School Garden
2) Maintaining an Existing School Garden Program
3) Providing High-Quality Garden Based Instruction
4) Glossary and Resources
Training participants are invited to engage with the sections of the training that best apply to their goals, and have the ability to navigate between the sections in the order they choose.
Access the School Garden 101 training here.
The Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching
Watch this video to hear from educators who attended the 2025 Summer Institute.
Overview
The Summer Institute for Garden-Based Teaching is a four-day training, consisting of 30 hours of intensive in-person training for 40 K-5 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter school teachers.
Watch this video to hear from educators who attended the 2025 Summer Institute.
To learn more, visit the Summer Institute for Garden-based Teaching page.
Outdoor Learning Gatherings
Outdoor Learning Gatherings are for educators seeking resources and inspiration to engage students in activities that benefit from being outdoors and nature.
Are you…
- A DC educator interested in connecting with others who are passionate about engaging with students outdoors?
- Searching for resources and best practices centered around outdoor learning that you can incorporate into your teaching practice?
- Looking to deepen your students’ personal relationship to place through experiences that connect to locally relevant content?
… Then Outdoor Learning Gatherings are for YOU!
What educators have said about their experience at Outdoor Learning Gatherings:
“Learning and connecting with other garden coordinators is wonderful!”
“Super welcoming and friendly gathering, great to chat with the outdoor education community!”
“The information and the hands-on demonstrations were very engaging and inspiring!”
“I really enjoyed the wildflower activity and the socializing with other educators.”
2026-27 Outdoor Gathering Sessions:
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
US Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
Engaging Students with Plant Science: Biodiversity and the Plants We Eat
Hosted by: United States Botanic Garden
Looking to engage middle school or high school students with plant science? Join US Botanic Garden educators to explore the connection between biodiversity, climate change, and the plants we eat. Through a series of hands-on science investigations, teachers will discover the value of crop diversity for climate resilience. Teachers will visit the Kitchen Garden to explore the traits of familiar cultivated crops and their wild relatives. Finally, teachers will make a plan for bringing plant science investigations back to their secondary science classrooms and school gardens. Lunch will be provided. Register here.
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Washington Youth Garden, onsite of US National Arboretum,
3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002
Fall into School Gardening
Hosted by: Friends of the National Arboretum
Interested in learning to take care of your school garden? Have questions about gardening? Need supplies to kick off the fall/winter season?
Register here.
- Free supplies to prepare your garden for the upcoming season including straw mulch, compost, row cover, fall crop and cover crop seeds (carrots, radish, winter rye, field peas, scallions, cilantro, lettuce) and seedlings (collards, kale, chard, bunching onions, tatsoi, broccoli, cauliflower, Asian cabbage, sorrel)*
- Additional seedlings including a tray of 50 mixed Swiss chard, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, kale, and collard greens. You must fill out the University of the District of Columbia’s Grow DC form (available in the coming months)
- Hands-on training at 11:30 a.m. on how to prepare garden beds, plant carrot seeds, and transplant collard greens seedlings
- Connect with garden educators from across DC
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
5 - 7 p.m.
Contact Miya Nixon for registration information
Location: City Blossoms Studio
516 Kennedy St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Introductory Early Growers Coaching Session: Garden Design, People Power, and Nature Play Activities
Hosted by: City Blossoms
This session introduces best practices to support teacher-child interactions outside and foster quality interactions among children during nature walks and outdoor play. Explore creative and fun ways for our youngest gardeners to practice social and emotional skills with their peers, including problem-solving, turn-taking, encouragement, self-control, safe risk-taking, and rule-following for social interactions and games.
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: City Blossoms Studio
516 Kennedy St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Introduction School Garden Coaching Session
Hosted by: City Blossoms
Join City Blossoms for this free, hands-on, collaborative learning opportunity designed for educators and community members supporting youth-led gardens. The fall intro session will cover Garden Design, People Power, and Planting Plans.
Register here.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2026
5 - 7 p.m.
Contact Miya Nixon for registration information
Location: City Blossoms Studio
516 Kennedy St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Introductory Early Growers Coaching Session: Garden Signage, Art & Literacy
Hosted by: City Blossoms
This session focuses on introducing garden-based curriculum and resources for early childhood centers. The workshop will explore creative ways and accessible ideas for how gardens can be used to investigate seasons, growth, plants, insects, animals, food and more through art and literacy connections. Delve into a few of our favorite units, books, songs and activities throughout the seasons.
Fall/Winter 2026
Contact List Sign-up
Location: US Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
Engaging Students with Plant Science (secondary level)
Hosted by: United States Botanic Garden
This session will focus on exploring plant genetics.
Winter 2027
Contact List Sign-up
Location: US Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
DC Teachers' Night Pre-Event Gathering
Hosted by: United States Botanic Garden and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education School Gardens Program
The purpose of this gathering is to provide resources and inspiration to engage students in activities that benefit from being outdoors and nature. During this gathering, we will have a few simple, fun, engaging activities that you can practice and then apply with your students.
Winter 2027
Contact List Sign-up
Location: US Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
DC Teachers’ Night: An Environmental Education Evening
Hosted by: United States Botanic Garden, Friends of the US Botanic Garden, and the DC Environmental Education Consortium
Join us at the US Botanic Garden Conservatory for the 20th annual DC Teachers' Night. Connect with DC area environmental education organizations and find ways to get your students learning about the natural world and how to bring the environment into the classroom! Learn from an amazing community about field trip experiences, professional learning opportunities, and resources. Light refreshments will be served.
Early Spring 2027
Contact List Sign-up
Location: TBD
Rooting DC
Hosted by: DC Department of Energy and Environment
This event features educational workshops, exhibitor booths, local eats, networking space, and valuable community-building where local growers and food-systems stakeholders share their knowledge and learn more from one another.
Early Spring 2027
Contact List Sign-up
Location: Washington Youth Garden, onsite of US National Arboretum
3501 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002
Spring into School Gardening
Hosted by: Friends of the National Arboretum
Interested in learning how to take care of your school garden? Have questions about gardening? Need seedlings to kick off the growing season? Join us to jump-start the spring growing season in your school garden.
- Free supplies to prepare your garden for the upcoming season including straw mulch, compost, spring crop seeds (carrot, radish, potatoes), summer cover crop seeds, and spring seedlings (scallions, kale, collards, strawberry starts)*
- Additional seedlings receive a tray of 50 mixed seedlings that could include Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, and collard greens
- Hands-On Training on how to prepare garden beds, plant spinach seeds, transplant kale seedlings, and plant strawberries
- Connect with your fellow educators from across DC
Thursday, March 18, 2027
5 - 7 p.m.
Contact Miya Nixon for registration information
Location: City Blossoms Studio
516 Kennedy St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Introductory Early Growers Coaching Session: Maintenance - Spring Reawakening
Hosted by: City Blossoms
We will talk about planting strategies, pest management, watering routines, harvesting tips, and so much more! Plus, a thriving garden isn’t just about plants; it’s about planning for long-term success! We'll support you in creating a maintenance plan that works for your school community, balancing seasonal tasks with sustainability and student engagement.
Saturday, April 3, 2027
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: City Blossoms Studio
516 Kennedy St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Introduction School Garden Coaching Session
Hosted by: City Blossoms
Join City Blossoms for this free, hands-on, collaborative learning opportunity designed for educators and community members supporting youth-led gardens. The spring intro session will cover Garden Maintenance 101, Organizing Community Workdays, and Cooking with Youth.
Register here.
April 2027
Contact List Sign-up
Location TBD
School Garden Materials Distribution
Hosted by: OSSE
Come pick up materials for your school garden to prepare for Berries and Greens Day in June! Experts will be on site to answer questions and provide guidance on use. A detailed list of items will be available as the date approaches.
Spring 2027
Contact List Sign-up
Location: US Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20001
Engaging Students with Plant Science (elementary level)
Hosted by: US Botanic Garden
This workshop will focus on hands-on plant science and garden exploration at the elementary level.
Thursday, May 20, 2027
5 - 7 p.m.
Contact List Sign-up
Location: City Blossoms Studio
516 Kennedy St. NW, Washington, DC 20011
Introductory Early Growers Coaching Session: Cooking with Youth & Family Engagement
Hosted by: City Blossoms
Join City Blossoms for this free, hands-on, collaborative learning opportunity designed for educators and community members supporting youth-led gardens in early childhood education. We will prepare a bilingual recipe using kid-safe tools and taste together while sharing best practices.
Interested in hosting or presenting at an upcoming gathering? Do you want to share information about your program at an upcoming gathering? Do you have a topic you want to talk about? Do you want to host a gathering at your school or teaching site? Let us know by completing this short survey. A small stipend will be provided to speakers.