Upcoming Events
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TEAM FRED VOLUNTEERS EVERY SATURDAY 9AM-12
Team Fred meets every Saturday morning to care for and grow the gardens we all love.
Join us at 8:00 AM and stay for an hour—or stay the whole morning. Every bit of help matters.
No tools? No problem. We provide everything you need, including garden tools and gloves.
Year round, our work continues outdoors in the gardens and indoors as well.
Volunteers may help with seasonal garden maintenance, planting, mulching, and winter prep, as well as light indoor projects. Fred Heutte Garden is 100% volunteer-maintained, and we truly can’t do this work without you.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or brand new, there’s a role for every skill level. Come help out at Norfolk’s Urban Garden. Always free, always open dawn til dusk.
Together, we make a difference—one Saturday at a time.
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August's Once Upon a Garden!
August's Once Upon A Garden!
Once Upon A Garden returns to Fred Heutte Garden on Saturday, August 15 at 10:00 AM for another morning of stories, creativity, and outdoor fun!
We'll begin with a delightful story time before heading into the garden to paint and glitter colorful garden rocks. After our masterpieces are complete, children can enjoy exploring, playing, and discovering the beauty of the garden together.
This free family event is designed for Norfolk preschoolers and early elementary school aged children and requires advance registration. To help keep everyone safe and engaged, one supervising adult is required for every two children.
While the program is free to attend, donations are always appreciated.
Come join us for a magical morning of stories, art, and garden adventures—we can't wait to see you at The Fred!
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Make hypertufa planters at The Fred
September Garden Craft: Create Timeless Hypertufa Planters
Discover the timeless beauty of hypertufa at September's Garden Craft workshop at Fred Heutte Garden! Hypertufa is a lightweight, handcrafted stone-like material used to create beautiful garden containers that develop character with age. With their weathered textures, soft moss, and natural patina, hypertufa planters evoke the charm of antique garden vessels found in historic estates and English cottage gardens—but at a fraction of the cost.
During this hands-on workshop, you'll create two stone-look hypertufa planters to take home and enjoy in your own garden.
Best of all, you’ll leave with two planters, but also with detailed instructions so you can continue making hypertufa containers at home. Once you learn the technique, you'll be able to create planters in countless shapes and sizes, adding distinctive, handcrafted character throughout your landscape for years to come.
Sunday, September 6
2:00–4:30 PM
Cost: $50Space is limited, so reserve your place today and spend an afternoon creating beautiful garden art that looks as though it has graced a historic garden for decades.
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Make A Nature Box at September's Once Upon a Garden!
Once Upon A Garden returns to Fred Heutte Garden on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 AM for a morning of imagination, creativity, and outdoor discovery!
We'll begin with a fun story time before creating beautiful Nature Boxes—special keepsake boxes that children can decorate and take home to store all of their favorite nature treasures. Whether it's a colorful leaf, an interesting feather, a smooth stone, a tiny shell, or a seedpod, every treasure deserves a special place. After the craft, we'll head into the garden for exploration and play.
Designed especially for Norfolk's preschoolers and early elementary-aged children, this family-friendly event is always free, but registration is required. To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, one supervising adult is required for every two children.
While there is no cost to attend, donations are always appreciated. Your generosity helps us continue providing free, hands-on nature experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.
Come make memories, discover nature, and create a special place to keep your garden treasures. We can't wait to see you at The Fred!
Fred Talk: Gardening Myths Debunked
Join us for a Fred Talk on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Fred Heutte Garden with Alexandra Cantwell, Norfolk Botanical Garden’s Senior Director of Adult Education. Her talk, “Garden Myths Debunked,” will take a practical look at some of the most common pieces of garden “wisdom” we all hear—what’s true, what’s outdated, and what really works in a Tidewater garden.
Come ready to rethink old rules, ask questions, and leave with clear, confidence-building tips you can put to work right away—whether you’re a brand-new gardener or have been growing for years.
All Fred Talks are Free! but you must register here.
November's Once Upon A Garden
Once Upon a Garden — Join us at Fred Heutte Garden on Saturday, November 15th at 10 AM for story time, a make-and-take garden craft, and a guided exploration of our demonstration beds designed just for kids. Free and open to all; registration required. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Register Here
Cyanotype Workshop at the Fred
Join us Saturday October 25th at 12 noon for a two hour workshop on creating Cyanotypes. Professional photographer Eleise Theuer will teach you how to do this magical process and give you lots of tips and tricks to enhance your creations. You'll leave with several completed pieces and a list of instructions and resources to continue creating! Register Here.
Square Foot Gardening Presentation with Norfolk Master Garden Paul Ziegler
Join Norfolk Master Gardener Paul Ziegler to learn the basics in establishing a square foot garden. This high yield garden process is perfect for urban gardeners with limited space. Norfolk Master Gardeners Square Foot Garden at the Fred has been under cultivation for many years, and donates almost 2,000 pounds of produce to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia yearly. Come learn from a Square Foot Gardening Expert! Saturday, October 25th from 10am to about 11:30 am. Register Here. THIS IS A FREE COMMUNITY PROGRAM.
October’s Once Upon A Garden
Join us at the Fred on October 18th at 10AM for Once Upon A Garden. This free, fun children’s activity is sure to make nature lovers happy. We enjoy storytime, a garden make and take and garden exploration. For children of all ages. An adult must accompany the children. The event is free but registration is suggested so we have enough materials on hand for the littles!
October’s Fred Talk: Garden Design with Maintenance in Mind, Laurie Fox, PhD.
Mark your calendars for Friday, October 10 at 6:30 PM when Fred Heutte Garden hosts Dr. Laurie Fox, PhD, for her Fred Talk Presentation “Garden Design with Maintenance in Mind.” Dr. Fox will share expert insights on creating landscapes that are both beautiful and easier to maintain—ideal for busy gardeners who still want thriving, sustainable spaces. This event is free and open to the public, with donations appreciated……..
Team Fred Volunteers Every Saturday
Join Team Fred on Saturdays
Roll up your sleeves with Team Fred at Fred Heutte Garden every Saturday, 9:00–11:30 AM. No gardening experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to pitch in. We work side-by-side on seasonal projects, learn as we go, and enjoy the camaraderie of growing something beautiful together.
What to expect
Friendly, hands-on tasks suited for all skill levels
Quick tips from experienced volunteers
A welcoming pace—come as you are and stay as long as you can
What to bring
Your favorite gloves or tools if you have them—otherwise, we’re happy to supply everything you need
Comfortable clothes and closed toed shoes
Meet us at Fred Heutte Garden, 1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk. Questions or interested in bringing a group? Contact us at garden@fredheutte.com. We can’t wait to grow with you.
Event One
Celebrate the season with us at the Fred Heutte Garden Plant Sale and Fall Festival! This family-friendly event features a wide variety of plants perfect for fall planting, including perennials, pansies, fruiting plants, and pumpkins. Local native plant nurseries and community nonprofits will be on hand to share expertise, resources, and ideas on sustainability and gardening. Enjoy garden tours, hands-on gardening information, and a lively kids’ zone with fun activities for children. With a focus on ecology, community, and the beauty of the season, the Fall Festival at Fred Heutte Garden is the perfect way to connect with neighbors, support local growers, and bring home plants that will thrive in your garden.