It’s harvest time, and nothing says FALL quite like Festifall at the Garden! Our two-month celebration of the changing seasons features pumpkins, scarecrows, campouts, nature hikes, and more. As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change color, there’s no better place to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of autumn.
Check out the list of this year’s Festifall events below. And don’t forget to sign up to receive our weekly emails with all the latest updates from the Garden!
Open Daily
Scarecrow Trail
September 3 – October 31, 2022
A must-see fall feature at the Garden! The Scarecrow Trail is a family tradition featuring a bounty of fun, friendly scarecrows created by local community members. Wacky, whimsical, and wondrous, these are certainly not your average ‘crows!
Pumpkins
October 1 – 31, 2022
The pumpkins come out in October! You will find seasonal displays of locally-grown pumpkins throughout the Garden.
Fall Displays
September – October 2022
You will see signs of the season throughout the Garden in beautiful displays of late-season perennials such as asters, black-eyed Susans, sunflowers, and ornamental grasses. Perennial mums and deciduous trees will also be showing off their colors, so you won’t want to miss the show!
Historic Tractor and Wagon Photo Op
September – October 2022
The historic 1949 Ford Tractor will be back this year, complete with its wooden-wheel flatbed wagon. Located in the Cedar Glade, this is a great spot for a picture-perfect fall family photo.
In Full Swing
September – October 2022
When was the last time you were on a swing? Our newest exhibit is an invitation to kick up your feet, let time slow down, and rediscover one of the simple joys of summer: swings!
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Programs & Events
Daylily Sale
Thank you for joining us!
The Daylily Sale will return in 2023.
The Daylily Sale is your opportunity to purchase plant divisions from the Garden’s own Van Valkenburgh Daylily Garden! Sometimes called the “perfect perennial,” daylilies have brightly colored flowers that reach their peak bloom season in June, and are easy to care for.
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Family Campouts
in the Garden
September 9 & October 21, 2022
New to camping? Don’t feel like traveling far to spend a relaxing evening outdoors? Join us for our Garden campout! We will have a hot dog dinner, s’mores to roast over the fire, a story at bedtime, and a chance to experience the Garden on a guided night hike.
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Flower Pot Gnome Homes | In-person class
September 15, 2022 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Every yard can use a whimsical, creative touch, so why not add a gnome home? Gnomes are said to be magical protectors of our plants and soil. They can be spotted in gardens all across the globe!
These flower pot gnome homes are a delightful addition to any home landscape, and they are fun for all ages to build, too! Remember: Your gnome home can be as simple or as intricate as you’d like!
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Nature Academy
September 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
October 11,13, and 15, 2022 at various times
Nature Academy provides hands-on science classes at the Garden to enrich STEM learning for students in grades K-8. Classes are new and improved every year, and registration is open to all homeschool, public school, and private school students in the area.
Join us in September for Thirsty Plants, and in October for Plants and Migration.
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Fall Plant Sale
September 22, 2022, Member Only Sale
September 23 & 24, 2022, Public Sale
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Did you know that fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials in your garden? The season brings a mix of warm soil and cool air for grass, and the moisture helps trees and shrubs establish their root system. Here’s your chance to purchase what you need for your autumn planting!
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Monarch Tag and Release
September 24, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Each year, monarch butterflies take an incredible journey from Canada to Mexico, and they migrate through Huntsville, Alabama, in September and October. Join us for a presentation about monarchs and their migration, followed by a hands-on “tagging” and release of the butterflies.
The Monarch Tag and Release Classes are full.
Selecting Trees for Your Home Landscape | In-person class series
October 1 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Small Trees and Shrubs
October 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Medium Trees
October 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Large Trees
Trees come in many shapes and sizes…not to mention how different they all look! How do you choose the best tree to plant in your own home landscape?
Join us for a walk through the Garden with certified arborist Chris Stuhlinger to learn about the features of different trees and shrubs and how each species might enhance your landscape at home. We will help you choose the right tree for the right place!
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Fall Break STEM Camp
October 3 – 7, 2022
Our Fall Break camp invites children in grades 1-6 on a week of autumn adventures in the Garden. Campers will get a bird’s-eye view on migration season, dig into how fall bulbs become spring flowers, discover why leaves change colors, and more. Get ready to explore and enjoy all things FALL!
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Fall Break Wacky Wednesday!
October 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join us in the Children’s Garden from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. for sidewalk chalk, games, bubbles, a fall-themed craft, and snacks! Play with hula hoops, cornhole, and other yard toys.
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Raptor Show
October 7, 2022
The Southeastern Raptor Center from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine is bringing their popular show back to the Garden during Fall Break. This all-ages program is a great opportunity to experience live raptors up-close while learning about their natural history and vital ecological roles.
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Scarecrow Trail Night Hikes
September 16 and 30 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
October 7 and 14 at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
As shadows dance across the Garden, see the Scarecrow Trail come alive! Scarecrow Trail Night Hikes are an opportunity to visit with the scarecrows after sunset and explore the nighttime activities of the Garden. Bring your flashlight and join us on this guided hike to see evening creatures such as bats, owls, frogs…and scarecrows, of course!
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Garden Prep for Fall and Winter | In-person class
October 16 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
How do you get your garden ready for fall and winter? Join us to learn all of the tips and tricks you need to have a successful garden throughout this entire season! You will learn about proper planting, winter bed care, pruning, and more from the Garden’s own expert horticulture team.
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How to Properly Prune Your Trees | In-person class
October 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Pruning is one of the most common tree care practices, but it is not always easy to know how, when, and why to prune your trees.
In this class, we will review the best practices for pruning trees, including reasons for pruning, types of pruning, how a tree responds to pruning, when to prune, and more. You will leave the class feeling confident and ready to take care of all of your trees’ pruning needs!
This class has passed
Bootanica!
October 28 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Get your costumes ready because BOOtanica is back! This spooktacular event is all about Halloween fun in the Garden! Trick-or-Treat among the Scarecrow Trail and enjoy crafts, games, face painting, photo ops, and live music!
This event is sold out