Find links to our online resources at science/wisc.edu
UW Family Gardening Day is a free, family-friendly event on campus that welcome visitors of all ages to explore campus greenhouses, gardens and research facilities, engage with hands-on activities, meet UW students and staff, and take home free plants!
05/02/2025
It's that time of year again 🌸 Join us Saturday, May 3rd for Family Gardening Day!
At Family Gardening Day, visit Allen Centennial Garden, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, Steenbock Memorial Library, and the Wisconsin Energy Institute for free plants, learning activities, crafts, and more!
Learn more at: https://science.wisc.edu/family-gardening-day/
We are so excited to see you all on campus in just over a week! Head to our website to see the *just released* 2025 “passport”! If you visit all four destinations this year you can get a free houseplant grown right here at D.C Smith!
03/25/2025
We are super excited for UW Science Expeditions April 4-6! Check out the timetable and map below to see where you can explore!
Today is the day! The first draft of the 2025 Science Expeditions map & timetable is up on the event website: https://science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions/
03/20/2025
Are you getting excited? I know we are!
🌟 Step into 25+ science venues across campus
🔬 Engage with hundreds of researchers
🎭 Be amazed by Science Spectacular shows
🧪 Get hands-on at Exploration Stations
More information: https://science.wisc.edu/science-expeditions/
01/13/2025
05/01/2024
Join us this Saturday for UW Family Gardening Day!
Embrace the spirit of spring and explore the wonderful gardens and greenhouses around the UW Campus! Don't miss out on visiting campus favorites such as the D.C. Smith Greenhouse, Centennial Garden , Steenbock Memorial Library, and the Wisconsin Energy Institute.
Engage with scientists and community members to learn about creating your own garden and participate in exciting hands-on activities with seeds, plants, and soil.
This event is fun for the whole family. Kids 13 and under are encouraged to embark on a passport adventure, collecting stamps from each UW Family Gardening Day location. A completed passport earns them a delicious reward: a free vanilla ice cream at Babcock Dairy Store! 🍦
04/15/2024
It's time to mark your calendar for Family Gardening Day 2024, taking place May 4 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm!
Come join Allen Centennial Garden, D.C. Smith Greenhouse, Steenbock Memorial Library, and the Wisconsin Energy Institute for a free, family-friendly event. You'll find plant giveaways, tours of gardens, greenhouses and labs, and lots of students and scientists excited to share about all things plants and gardening!
Stay tuned for more details! We look forward to welcoming you to campus!
05/05/2023
Family Gardening Day is tomorrow! It's going to be a blast and you'll take home some awesome ideas, plants, and memories.
Here are a few fun questions the students in DC Smith Greenhouse are excited to answer...
Why is there a fan here?
Why are the pasta packs 'tucked in'?
Why are the cucumbers climbing a string?
What did the students grow for the Madison community?
05/05/2023
Tomorrow's the day! Remember, Family Gardening Day happens rain or shine!
05/04/2023
Just two more days!!! While Family Gardening Day is an exciting opportunity to learn, it is also a great chance to visit some of the University's wonderful spaces. We snapped some photos of things growing over the last few days so you can see what it will be like when you visit.
DC Smith Greenhouse has plenty of awesome veggie systems but also countless other plants that live in different environments. Peek into the Desert room or the visit the jungle in the Conservatory as you enter the greenhouse.
At Allen Centennial Garden, you can see the Welcome station near the interest is overflowing with flower! The Pasta Pack station on the great lawn gives you a great view of the whole garden. Finally, there are many awesome plants are in bloom near the Rock garden station where we will be giving out a starter rock garden plant Blue-Eyed Grass.