Botanical Gardens
Programs and Events
YOGA
JULY 26TH AND AUGUST 30TH @10AM
A good way to relieve stress and anxiety is through yoga. It provides many benefits, like improving mental health, reducing burnout, promotes self-care and reduces anxiety.
National Moth Week Event
Moths at Night
July 27th, 9 p.m.–11 p.m.
$15/person
Join us under the stars for National Moth Week! Discover the enchanting world of moths as the USF Botanical Gardens present a captivating introduction to these diverse Lepidoptera. Take a memorable stroll through our illuminated gardens, immersing yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of these often-overlooked insects. Learn about their fascinating life cycles, some of their unique evolutionary adaptations, some of the vital roles they play in our ecosystems, and how you can attract and support conservation of these undervalued insects. At our event, we will have 2 simple light stations set up, and we will collect and submit photos to help direct conservation efforts. Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating National Moth Week!
Beginner's Guide to Propagating Plants
Workshop
August 24th, 9:00am-10:30am
Propagating your own plants from seeds, cuttings, or by air layering is an economical and enjoyable way to add to your plant collection. In this program, Dr. Craig Huegel will share his experiences and demystify the different approaches used to propagate everything from wildflower and vegetable seeds to stems and branches of woody plants. Join us for this hands-on and practical program!
Week of Welcome
Wellness Welcome
August 30th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Plant Festivals
FALL PLANT FESTIVAL
October 12th–13th, 9am- 3pm
Open to members at 8:30am
- $10 Admission
- Free for Members & USF ID
- Children under 12 are free!
Vendors TBA!
SPRING PLANT FESTIVAL
April 12th–13th, 9am- 3pm
Open to members at 8:30am
- $10 Admission
- Free for Members & USF ID
- Children under 12 are free!
Vendors TBA!
BEEKEEPING CERTIFICATION
2023-2024 Beekeeping Class
Monthly November 4, 2023 - October 5, 2024
REGISTRATION for the 2024-2025 Class will open in September 2024.
Registration is complete with: payment, completed registration form, signed liability waiver Participants under 18 must have parent signature.
Return Registration Forms to USF Botanical Gardens.
| Date | Lecture | Hive |
|---|---|---|
| 11/4/23 | Introduction to Bees | First look inside the hive |
| 12/2/23 (Potluck) | Integrated Pest Management (1PM) | Reading a Frame |
| 01/06/24 | Setting up Your Apiary | In-hive Basic Inspection |
| 02/03/24 | Hive Building | None |
| 03/02/24 | Swarm Control | Hiving Your Bees |
| 04/06/24 | NO LECTURE - Pick Up Nucs | Installing Nucs/Re-queening |
| 05/04/23 | Q&A, Swarm Control | Making splits |
| 06/01/24 | Queen Biology | Re-queening |
| 07/06/24 | Mead Making | |
| 08/03/24 | Varroa Destructor |
Varroa Counts & Treatment |
| 09/03/24 | Honey Extraction, Bottling, and Labeling | Honey Extraction |
| 10/05/24 | Winter Preparations, Q&A | Inspections and Q&A |
Course Costs
Registration: $200; Garden Member: $180
Submit liability waiver and registration form to USF Botanical Gardens with confirmation of your registration payment.
Please be aware that supplies are not included and must be purchased separately.
MESSER FAMILY BEEKEEPING SCHOLARSHIP (Opens Fall 2024)
Anyone can have the opportunity to participate in our course through the Messer Family Award. To become an applicant, submit a personal statement—500 words or less - on why urban beekeeping is important to you and the community. Personal statements must be submitted to botanicalgardens@usf.edu before November 5 at 11:59pm. The Messer Family Award recipient will be notified over email the week of November 7.
This award will assist with course expenses for individuals interested in pursuing beekeeping as well as show a committed effort to increase urban beekeeping in the local community. Expenditures awarded from this fund will be used for but not limited to course registration costs, the purchase of course educational materials and required supplies.