Cape Fear Botanical Garden

04/29/2025

Why visit the Garden in May? Because spring is in full swing—and the Garden is bursting with color, life, fresh air adventures, and these amazing events! 🌸🌞

🌸 May 3: Heritage Farm Family Day
🌸 May 7 & 10: Camp Assistant Volunteer Training
🌸 May 10: Understanding Ferns Workshop
🌸 May 13: Carnivorous Plants Seminar
🌸 May 14: A Garden Gathering Dinner Event
🌸 May 18: Petals & Pigments Natural Dyeing Workshop
🌸 May 22: Family Art Night: Nature Journaling
🌸 May 24: Nature Play Day: Incredible Insects
🌸 May 31: Mosaic Stepping Stones Workshop

PLUS:
🌿 Daily self-guided exploration (Extended Hours on Thursdays!)
🌿 Tai Chi on Tuesdays
🌿 Yoga in the Garden on Thursdays

See all our classes, events, and register as needed at capefearbg.org/event.
We can't wait to see you at the Garden this May! 🌼

04/27/2025

🌿 Heritage Farm Family Day invites you to step back in time for a day of old-fashioned spring fun, with hands-on activities, historical demonstrations, and farmyard adventures for all ages! 🚜

Saturday, May 3 - 10am-12noon - Included with regular Garden Admission. Learn more at Heritage Farm Family Day at the Garden.

***
Also Happening in the Garden this Week:
* Tuesday, April 29: Composting 101 Seminar
* Tuesday, April 29: Tai Chi (adults)
* Thursday, May 1: Yoga (adults)

04/25/2025

Step Back in Time for a Day of Springtime Fun!

Saturday, May 3 -- Wander through the Garden and find yourself in another era—where butter is churned by hand, candles are dipped with care, and the simple joys of life on the farm come to life in the spring sunshine.

Heritage Farm Family Day invites families of all ages to explore, play, and connect through hands-on activities, historical demonstrations, and sweet seasonal traditions. From old-fashioned games on the lawn to live animals and crafts for kids, it’s a day filled with learning, laughter, and a little bit of magic.

🎟 Included with Garden admission or membership.
📍 Full details here: capefearbg.org/event/heritage-farm-family-day-2/

04/24/2025

Planting Day! (an excerpt from our Weekly Veggie Volunteers)

Today was another exceptional day in the garden – from morning to afternoon. Master Gardeners Bob F. and Bill P. were the first ones we met as we signed in this morning. They were discussing garden matters with Hort. Director Adam and were soon joined by Volunteer Coordinator, Julia, who also planned to do some gardening today.

The walk over to Heritage is usually the best part of the morning as we admire whatever is blooming in its season – this morning it was the colorful snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) that flanked our path. Our goal today was to plant as many of the warm weather plants as possible. Stevie and Marlena were delegated with other staff to the Bettie Jernigan Daylily Garden to lay mulch, but along with James took time to deliver vegetables, herbs, and flowers to the Veggie Garden – tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, basil, sacred sage, nasturtium, and marigolds – much of which were planted from seed.

The raised beds needed a little cultivating and compost from Heritage’s bins was added. Thank you, Leslie K. and Marty! Julia soon came out to help with the veggie garden and also in the outside perimeter with Alisha and Kristen. A few rain drops kept the weather fine but the humidity also returned. Marlena laid mulch in the afternoon and with so many “hands on” the whole area is standing tall.

In honor of National volunteer week, Julia brought refreshments for our break. We had a great time of sharing food, stories, and fellowship. We worked long after the lunch hour and made plans to sow okra and green bean seeds, and whatever else Marlena brings next Wednesday. We will also keep looking for more Black Swallowtail caterpillars as all have now left the fennel.

Just when we thought it had been a completely perfect day in the garden, we witnessed out in the parking lot the majestic sight of a family of resident Canada Goose making their trek into the garden. The seven little goslings following in a row close between their parents, taking no notice of any distractions, they marched on.

Each and every week there is something new to witness and learn, or someone new to meet and help at Cape Fear Botanical Garden - a true haven.

04/24/2025

🌿✨ Tickets Are Now on Sale for A Garden Gathering! ✨🌿

Please join Friends of Cape Fear Botanical Garden for our signature spring evening—A Garden Gathering, presented by Mercedes-Benz of Fayetteville.

This limited-ticket event supports the Garden’s mission to connect people with nature, and features:
🍽️ Cuisine by Elliot’s on Linden
🎶 Live entertainment
🍹 Frozen margaritas + full bar
🎁 Silent & live auctions
🌸 All set on the stunning grounds of Cape Fear Botanical Garden

🗓 Wednesday, May 14 | 5:30 PM
🎟 Tickets now available: https://friends-of-the-garden.square.site/

Valet parking provided for select ticket packages courtesy of Olde Fayetteville Insurance.
We can’t wait to welcome you for an unforgettable evening in the Garden.

04/23/2025

🌞 Want to Make a Difference This Summer? Join Our Camp Volunteer Team! 🌿

We’re looking for enthusiastic, reliable volunteers to support Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s Summer Camps—a one-of-a-kind experience where kids connect with nature through games, experiments, crafts, and outdoor adventures.

As a Summer Camp Assistant, you’ll:
✅ Be a role model to young campers
🎨 Help with hands-on activities like art and science projects
🌿 Explore the Garden in new ways
🧡 Support campers with special needs
📚 Gain experience working with children and educators

Who can volunteer?
• Ages 16+ (or those who have previously attended camp at CFBG)
• Must commit to a full week of camp (Mon–Fri)
• Plan to arrive 30 minutes before camp and stay 30 minutes after
• Volunteers age 18+ must complete a background check
• All volunteers must attend a Camp Volunteer Training

📅 Upcoming Training Sessions
Choose one (you only need to attend once):
* Wed, May 7 | 2–4pm
* Sat, May 10 | 10am–12pm

🎟 Register for training here: form.jotform.com/250995650809974

Spots are limited—don’t wait to grab yours! Come grow with us and help kids create unforgettable summer memories. 💚

Please click the link to complete this form.

04/22/2025

We were honored to welcome APGA Communications Assistant Lisa Comento to the Garden during our Dog Day event. Click through to see her photos and comments. Come back any time, Lisa!

American Public Gardens Association

04/22/2025

🌍 Happy Earth Day from Cape Fear Botanical Garden!

Today, we honor the beauty and resilience of our planet. At the Garden, every day is an opportunity to connect with nature, learn about sustainability, and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

Join us in celebrating Earth Day by:

🌱 Planting native species to support local ecosystems
🐝 Creating habitats for pollinators in your backyard
♻️ Practicing sustainable gardening techniques
🚶‍♀️ Taking a peaceful walk through our gardens to reflect on nature's gifts

Let's nurture our Earth together, not just today, but every day. 🌸

04/21/2025

🌿 Volunteer Raffle for National Volunteer Week! 🎉
April 20–26 is National Volunteer Week, and we’re celebrating the amazing people who help the Garden grow—with a special raffle just for volunteers!

🎁 Prizes include:
* A gift basket from the Garden Gift Shop
* Complimentary guest passes to the Garden

How to enter:
Email [email protected] by 5pm on Saturday, April 26 and submit one or more of the following:
📸 A favorite photo from your time volunteering
💬 A short story about why you love volunteering at CFBG
🌱 OR submit a new volunteer application and join our community!

We’re so grateful for every hand that helps nurture the Garden—and we can’t wait to hear your stories! 💚

04/21/2025

✨ Hands-On Volunteer Day – Join Us in the Garden! ✨

Celebrate National Volunteer Week with us in the best way—by getting your hands in the Heritage Garden! We're inviting volunteers (new and returning!) to join us on Wednesday, April 23 for a morning of gardening in our vegetable beds alongside our experienced team.

No experience necessary. Just a desire to help, learn, and have some fun!
🕗 Volunteer Hours: 8 AM – 12 PM
🌿 Great for high school students and adults
🧤 Bring gardening gloves if you have them
✨ Drinks and Snacks provided

📧 Interested? Email [email protected] to confirm your spot and receive your welcome materials.

Let’s grow something good—together. 🌻

04/20/2025

This Friday, kids ages 8–12 can enjoy an evening of Garden adventures while parents get a night off! We’ll explore the wild (and wonderful!) world of opossums, do hands-on experiments, and end the night with s’mores by the campfire. 🔦🔥

Register at: Kids' Night Out at the Garden: Outstanding Opossums

*** Also Happening in the Garden this Week:
* Monday, April 21: Homeschool - FULL
* Tuesday, April 22: Tai Chi (adults)
* Thursday, April 24: Yoga (adults)
* Thursday, April 24: Garden Open until 7pm
* Saturday, April 26: Family Program: Soapstone Carving
* Saturday, April 26: The Art of Noticing Workshop (adults)

Learn more at capefearbg.org/event

04/19/2025

Create a Keepsake Together – Soapstone Carving Family Program! Saturday, April 26. 10am-12noon.

Join us for a hands-on art experience where families can carve their own soapstone animal sculptures!

Each kit includes everything you need—from a hand-cut stone to polishing tools—and the finished piece becomes a beautiful keepsake.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Recommended for ages 8+ with an adult
🎟 $50 per family | $45 members (includes 1 kit. Additional kits $35 each)

Learn more and preregister here: capefearbg.org/event/family-program-soapstone-carving/

04/18/2025

Big thanks to our recent volunteer groups from Publix and AQUA Utilities!

Your teams rolled up their sleeves and helped keep the Garden beautiful—and we’re so grateful for the time, energy, and heart you brought to the work. 💚

Corporate volunteer days are a great way to give back, build team spirit, and make a visible impact in the community. If your company is looking for a meaningful way to get involved, we’d love to have you!

📩 Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator to learn more: [email protected]

04/17/2025

🌸 Looking for something peaceful and beautiful to do this Easter weekend? 🌿

Cape Fear Botanical Garden will be open regular hours all weekend long, so come enjoy the fresh air, blooming trails, and moments of calm in nature.

Bring the family, take a stroll, or just enjoy some quiet time surrounded by spring. We’ll be here!

📅 Open Friday–Sunday | Regular admission applies