The Gardens of Old Salem
Join us this year in the Gardens of Old Salem as we explore and learn through guided tours, hands-on experiences, and lessons from our very own gardeners!
Special Events and Workshops
These events will have a separate ticket, so look for a link to reserve your spot!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!
Spring Smartphone Garden Photography
Saturday, March 28th | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$25 | Ages 12+
Using your smartphone, capture photographs of the spring blooms in the Gardens of Old Salem! In 2026, chances are, most of us have access to a smartphone. In this workshop, learn fun tricks to taking outdoor photos in our gardens, as well as explore how early photographers were taking photos around Salem.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!
Hands on Garden Planting
Saturday, March 28th | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
ALL ages welcome!
Get your hands dirty as you learn how to directly seed and transplant different vegetables for the best success. Split into two groups, one for families and young children and one for teenagers and adults, this workshop will teach you about root structures, soil preparations, and technical skills, all taught in an age-appropriate manner.
Guided Tours and Activities
These events are INCLUDED with your standard ticket, so click here to get yours!
New Beginnings
February 14th & February 21st | March 7th & 14th
11:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Join our Horticulture educators on a 30-minute tour through the gardens to learn about what European Moravians, enslaved Africans, and Native Americans in this area were planting in their gardens and how gardening trends have changed since the 1700s. Tour meets and begins at the Garden Education Center.
Exhibits
Join us in the Garden Education Center this spring for an in-depth look at the Gardens, managing seasonal changes, and so much more!
All exhibits are INCLUDED with your standard ticket, so click here to get yours!
Brassicas: From Wild Mustard to Cabbage
February 11th – March 14th
It may still be chilly outside, but there is something growing in our gardens…brassicas!!! Check out our new exhibit about how they were developed through selective plant breeding and how Moravians traditionally preserved and prepared them.
Late Winter in the Cellar
February 11th – April 30th
Join us in the Garden Education Center to explore our new Cellar exhibit. Find out what produce was being kept in the cellar to ensure fruits and vegetables could still be used in recipes throughout the winter!
Late Winter in the Cellar
February 11th – April 30th
Join us in the Garden Education Center to explore our new Cellar exhibit. Find out what produce was being kept in the cellar to ensure fruits and vegetables could still be used in recipes throughout the winter!
Read and Relax: Late Winter and Spring
February 11th – April 30th
Cozy up in our comfortable chair in the Garden Education Center and relax while you explore all our Gardens library has to offer. This season we are featuring books about seeds, garden planning, and cold weather crops!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS!
Friends of the Monarch: Milkweed!
Saturday, April 25th | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
$20 for single workshop | $50 for Friends of the Monarch 3-part Series
Ages 16+
Milkweed is the Monarch butterfly caterpillar’s favorite food! Did you know there are 16 species of milkweed native to North Carolina? Come to the Garden Education Center to learn about what it is and how to plant it, then take one home to plant in your own garden!
Umbellifers: A Guided Walk in the Garden
Saturday, April 4th and Saturday, April 18th
11:30 AM and 1:00 PM
Join us for an educational walk in the garden to get a closer look at plants in the Umbelliferae family!
Umbellifers
April 1st – May 30th
Visit the Garden Education Center to explore the origins, uses, and ecological importance of plants in the Umbelliferae family.
Kitchen Garden Planning Workshop
Saturday, February 7th | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Ever wondered what goes into planning a productive kitchen garden? Join the gardeners of Old Salem as we share how we design vegetable gardens that support seed-saving, plentiful harvests, soil health, and long-term resiliency. This workshop will cover seasonal timing, frost dates, crop rotation, succession planting, intercropping, and strategies for improving fertility and reducing pests.