A free public garden in the heart of Norfolk, Virginia, Fred Heutte Garden is a living classroom where community grows. Through hands-on, no-cost or low-cost programs for all ages, we inspire curiosity, creativity, and environmental stewardship—the garden is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Most events below require registration, including free ones
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Most events below require registration, including free ones /
Upcoming Events
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November's Once Upon A Garden
Join us for a wonderful November morning outdoors at Fred Heutte Garden! We’ll read two great books together, explore the garden, and get creative making our own tabletop turkeys from pinecones and colorful feathers—perfect to take home for Thanksgiving.
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Help Us Paint the Fred!
Saturday, December 5 | 9–11 AM
We're trading our gardening gloves for paintbrushes! Join Team Fred for a morning of indoor improvements as we freshen up some of the hardworking spaces inside our historic garden building.
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Free Fred Talk, Taking the Mystery out of Composting with Cameron Kania
Composting doesn’t have to be complicated, messy, or mysterious. Join us at Fred Heutte Garden for a free Fred Talk with Cameron Kania of Tidewater Compost, and learn how food scraps and other organic materials can be transformed into something every garden needs: rich, healthy soil.
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Free Fred Talk: Elizabeth River Project's Luisa Black
Join Luisa Black of the Elizabeth River Project for an informative and practical Fred Talk exploring flood mitigation, coastal resilience, and the role nature can play in protecting our communities.
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December's Once Upon A Garden
Saturday, December 19 | 10 AM | Fred Heutte Garden
Join us for a festive morning of stories, creativity, and holiday cheer at December's Once Upon a Garden!
We'll begin by reading two delightful holiday books together, then turn our attention to making whimsical little woodland gnomes.
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Fred's new monthly Garden Club
If you've ever wanted to join a garden club but weren't sure it was for you, Common Ground Garden Club is your garden club!
Join us for our inaugural meeting on Sunday, January 10th at 2 PM at Fred Heutte Garden. We're bringing together people who love gardening, plants, sustainability, and the natural world.
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January's Once Upon A Garden
January's Once Upon a Garden: Snowflakes & Winter Wonders!
Saturday, January 16 | 10 AM | Fred Heutte Garden
We're celebrating the magic of winter at January's Once Upon a Garden!
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Vickie Shufer Presents on Heart Health
Saturday, February 6 | 12 Noon | $20 per person
Discover the fascinating world of medicinal herbs and their traditional uses in supporting heart health with renowned herbalist, naturalist, forager, and author Vickie Shufer.
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Fred Films: A film screening series hosted by Fred Heutte Garden
Fred Heutte Garden is delighted to introduce Fred Films, a new film series celebrating gardens, sustainability, and the extraordinary people whose lives are connected to the natural world.
Our first selection is A Man Named Pearl, a remarkable, award-winning documentary about Pearl Fryar, a self-taught topiary artist who transformed an ordinary yard in Bishopville, South Carolina, into one of America's most extraordinary gardens.
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VISIT
Explore the Fred and see what’s new as we refresh the garden, support education initiatives, host classes, workshops and symposia and promote community and sustainability. The Garden is open 365 days a year from dawn ‘til dusk.
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VOLUNTEER
We rely on volunteers to help maintain our vegetable and display gardens. Our volunteers help beautify our plantings and vegetable plot to ensure a good harvest to meet our contribution goals to community food banks. No experience is necessary to volunteer!
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SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS
Donations support gardening education, the costs of planting and maintaining our green space, programming and other operations of our beloved community garden. Donations are tax deductible and every bit of support makes a difference!
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RENT THE FRED
Have your next event at the Fred! The Fred is available to rent, for weddings, parties, memorials and other social happenings. Rental includes the building and grounds and tables and chairs and supports the Fred Heutte Foundation’s mission.
Nestled in the heart of Norfolk, Virginia, Fred Heutte Garden offers a serene escape for nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts alike. This beautiful public garden is dedicated to sustainability, best gardening practices, and the cultivation of native plants. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stroll through meticulously maintained gardens while learning about eco-friendly horticulture.
In addition to its scenic beauty, the center hosts a variety of classes, seminars, and volunteer opportunities throughout the week. These programs provide hands-on experiences for gardeners and volunteers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros, and emphasize environmentally conscious methods.
Whether you're looking to expand your gardening knowledge, get involved in community efforts, or simply enjoy natural beauty in an oasis of calm in a busy urban neighborhood, the Fred Heutte Center Gardens is a must-visit destination.
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Community Partners
