Birmingham Botanical Gardens

10/02/2026

It takes a community to build Antiques at the Gardens. Discover its 20-year journey and the people behind the event.

09/19/2026

What is seed saving? Specialty Gardens Horticulturist Katelyn Bahr gives us a glimpse into this centuries-old practice.

Saving seeds from last season’s harvest sounds obvious — why buy new plants when you already have the seeds? But it’s easy to forget when you’re cooking with garden peppers or deadheading your favorite flowers past their bloom.

The benefits go beyond saving money. Seed saving celebrates biodiversity, nurtures locally adapted varieties, and keeps alive the heirloom plants we remember from our grandmothers’ gardens.

This tradition dates back thousands of years — but in the modern era, commercial seed has taken a toll. The non-profit Seed Savers Exchange estimates 75% of edible plant species have been lost over the past century.

Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens strives to preserve this biodiversity through our FREE seed exchange program at the Library at the Gardens!

Want to learn the practice yourself?

Join Katelyn for a hands-on Seed Saving Workshop. Learn to clean, dry, and store seeds — and take home some collected from the Gardens’ own plants.

Tues. Sept. 22 | 10 a.m.– noon
Members: $35 | Nonmembers: $40
Register at bbgardens.org!

09/18/2026

FALL PLANT SALE THIS WEEKEND: Shop dozens of varieties of natives, perennials, herbs, tropicals, ferns, camellias, trees, and shrubs, and get expert advice from seasoned gardeners — many trained through the Jefferson County Master Gardener program. The sale is free and open to the public starting today at noon!!

Every purchase supports the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Here's where that support goes:

🌱 Keeping one of the largest free public gardens in the South open and thriving for over 60 years
🥕 Growing and harvesting thousands of pounds of fresh produce for neighbors facing food insecurity
🌼 Each year, thousands of local schoolchildren have the chance to discover the Gardens’ wonders through our Discovery Field Trips series, a free, science-based field trip program
🪴 The Friends’ internship program gives dedicated young people the chance to help with hands-on projects and educational initiatives while also introducing them to the world of public gardens
🏘️ Funding Rooted in Community awards for neighborhood gardens, pollinator habitats, and greenspace projects across Birmingham
🌳 Maintaining and improving the Gardens' two dozen garden spaces for generations to come

When you shop the plant sale, you're helping protect, nurture, and share the wonders of Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

📍 Parking is limited • Bring a portable cart or wagon • Check or credit card only

Learn more through the link in our comments!

09/15/2026

The beautiful Kaul Wildflower Garden in September! Shout out to Horticulturist Terry Phillips and our volunteers for caring for the garden.

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

Check out our September classes — they’re something to dig! 🪏

Try your hand at homemade fig preserves (this class sounds like a jam 😉), hit the trail with us on an Oak Mountain adventure, or learn to keep the harvest going in our seed-saving workshop. Preregistration required. Limited spots available.

Find these classes and more through the link in our comments!

09/05/2026

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Every day, staff from Birmingham Park and Recreation and the nonprofit, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Garden, work in tandem to tackle the myriad needs of operating and maintaining a 67-acre garden.

We invite you “behind-the-scenes” of this team effort by reading “The Garden Performance” featured in our fall issue of The Garden Dirt. It’s a giant stage, and each morning is a new performance starting the moment the gates open!

Enjoy the story through the link in our comments. Get the next issue delivered to your mailbox by supporting our cause and becoming a member of the Friends. Learn more at bbgardens.org/membership

Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open every day. Spring/summer hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free and open to the public