Fall Native Plant Festival
Grow your relationship with plants and place through workshops, crafts, tours, native plant shopping, and exploration of Cascadia’s flora.
Date:
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time:
10AM-4PM
Jump To:
Tickets
What to Expect
Schedule
Resources
FAQs
With warm soil beneath your feet and the promise of rain in the air, fall is the perfect season to plant.
Discover locally grown native trees, flowers, and shrubs from Oxbow’s nursery, gather practical inspiration from knowledgeable staff, and find simple ways to create a more beautiful, biodiverse landscape for seasons to come.
Tickets
This event is supported, in part, by 4Culture’s Doors Open grant. We’re deeply grateful for their partnership, which allows us to offer accessible ticket pricing and connect more people with outdoor learning experiences.
Admission: FREE
Workshop Add-ons: $6.15 ($5 + $1.15 service fee)
See what’s growing! Register to receive the full plant availability list in your inbox a week before the event. While advance registration isn’t required, it’s a great way to plan your picks and helps us make your plant shopping experience even smoother. It also helps us prepare the right amount of food and event materials while minimizing waste.
Let the festivities begin!
After selecting admission quantity, scroll inside the ticket box below to view optional workshops and choose a session time. Some workshops are limited and may sell out.
What to Expect
Whether you’re growing a backyard habitat, tending a balcony pot, or simply seeking a refreshing day outdoors with loved ones, come explore!
You’ll Discover:
Native Plant & Plant Stand Shopping:
Browse over 65 species of native flowers, shrubs, and trees, responsibly grown in Oxbow’s nursery and locally adapted to thrive in the Cascadia region. Shop Oxbow merchandise and support local restoration efforts with every purchase.
Expert Guidance:
Plant with confidence as Oxbow’s nursery specialists answer your questions and guide you to the perfect native plants for your space.
Sensory Exploration:
Engage directly with the landscape, from sampling native tea blends and tasting edible flowers on the Kids’ Farm tour to hands-on crafts for all ages, including DIY leaf rubbings and natural pigments made from berries, bark, and other plant materials.
Nature Connection & Learning for All Ages & Experience Levels:
Build skills and deepen your stewardship through workshops and activities including Native Plant Gardening 101, integrated pest management, native seed collection, edible and medicinal herbs, a reflective yarrow planting experience, and more.
Gathering & Celebration:
Connect over fresh coffee from Filter & Shot Coffee Cart, enjoy a food truck lunch from Where Ya At Matt, and relax in open spaces perfect for conversation, community, and celebration. Take time to ask questions, share stories, and simply enjoy the moment together.
Plan Your Day
Welcome Hour
From 9 -10 AM, early birds are invited to settle in with coffee, conversation, and a chance to stroll around before shopping begins.
- Check in at the Welcome Tent to receive your service number (also your raffle ticket!) and event info.
- Explore the farm while you wait. Sip fresh Filter & Shot coffee, chat with plant experts, or simply take in the spring landscape.
- Line-Up: At 9:50 AM, guests may begin lining up in service number order.
- Plant Stand opens right at 10:00 AM.
Drop-in Activities
Plant Care & Resources
Declutter by bringing us your used seedling containers! We’re working to reduce plastic waste by reclaiming black 4-inch, band, and 1-gallon pots. Please bring only these sizes and colors. Reusable pots will be sanitized and put back into circulation, while damaged ones will be responsibly recycled.
Connect with the people who grow your plants. Oxbow nursery specialists are available throughout the day to answer questions, share practical guidance, and provide free printed resources for continued learning at home.
Shop native plants and Oxbow merchandise while supplies last. Every purchase supports our local ecosystem, from providing for pollinators to supporting our nonprofit organization!
Take a moment to reflect on your personal connection to native plants through a guided reflection prompt, then plant a yarrow start as a living reminder of your relationship with plants and place.
Refreshments
Enjoy a simple, sensory way to connect with the land through small-batch native tea blends thoughtfully foraged and dried by our team.
Fuel your festival with handcrafted espresso drinks made to order by professional and friendly baristas.
Enjoy bold New Orleans soul food made from scratch by one of Seattle’s original food trucks.
Crafts
Reveal the unique patterns of leaves and bring nature’s textures to life.
Get creative with nature-inspired art using paints made from blackberries and goldenrod.
Connections
Meet local organizations, explore educational resources, and discover opportunities to learn, connect, and get involved.
Challenge friends and family to giant Jenga, Connect 4, and cornhole while enjoying a laid-back afternoon on the farm.
Scheduled Tours & Workshops
For All Ages & Experience Levels
Duration:
30 minutes
Tour Times:
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
01:00 PM – 01:30 PM
Cost:
Free
Explore the history, design, and ecology of Oxbow’s native meadow while learning about seasonal maintenance, habitat restoration practices, and future stewardship plans.
Duration:
30 minutes
Tour Times:
01:00 PM – 01:30 PM
02:00 PM – 02:30 PM
Cost:
Free
Journey through our one-acre Kids Farm to harvest and taste fresh fall vegetables while discovering botany basics and where food comes from.
For Adults
Duration:
30 minutes
Tour Times:
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
02:30 PM – 03:00 PM
Cost:
Free
Go behind the scenes to discover how our nursery grows 160 native plant species through seed saving, propagation, and biodiversity-focused care.
Duration:
45 minutes
Session Time:
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Cost:
$5
Learn beginner-friendly native perennials that thrive in Western Washington, with helpful tips for planting, establishment, and care.
Duration:
45 minutes
Session Times:
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
01:30 PM – 02:15 PM
Cost:
$5
Expand your awareness of the native plants around you and discover the living relationships that connect plants, wildlife, and people.
Duration:
45 minutes
Session Time:
12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Cost:
Free
Walk our production fields and enjoy a tomato tasting while learning about organic farming, water conservation, native plants, and collaborative agricultural research.
Duration:
45 minutes
Session Times:
12:30 PM – 01:15 PM
02:30 PM – 03:15 PM
Cost:
$5
Discover the rich relationships between people and plants through an ethnobotanical lens, then taste and blend your own herbal tea.
Duration:
45 minutes
Session Time:
01:30 PM – 02:15 PM
Cost:
$5
Learn holistic gardening strategies that work with nature, discover trusted resources, and solve the mystery: pest or pal?
For Experienced Growers
Duration:
1 hour
Session Time:
12:30 PM – 01:30 PM
Cost:
$5
Build practical propagation skills as you learn about seed harvest timing, processing techniques, storage best practices, and pretreatment methods for Pacific Northwest native species. This session is designed for adults with intermediate to advanced plant knowledge.
Before & Beyond the Festival
From choosing the right native plants to discovering fun quizzes and downloadable guides, these resources are here to inspire your next steps.
Native Plant Picks for All Conditions
Say goodbye to guesswork with our top native plants for every garden spot.
Native Pollinator Plant Guide
Explore our guide to choosing and using native pollinator plants.
PNW Native Plant Name Generator
Reveal your totally fictional, surprisingly apt native plant moniker.
FAQs
Yes! There are crafts, workshops, tours, and activities designed for all ages and experience levels.
Yes. We recommend purchasing workshop tickets during event registration. Workshop spaces are limited and many sessions may sell out before the festival. While a small number of tickets may be available day-of, availability is not guaranteed, so reserving your spot ahead of time is the best way to ensure you can participate.
We recommend comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, a water bottle, and a notebook if you plan to attend workshops. You’re also welcome to bring back black seedling pots in 4-inch, band, or 1-gallon sizes to drop off for reuse or recycling.
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at this event. Please leave your furry friends at home. Thank you for your cooperation!
Oxbow is open rain or shine, except in cases of extreme weather (lightning, high winds, wildfire smoke, or flooding conditions that make it unsafe for visitors). All weather closures will be posted on our website, social media, and registrants will be notified via email.
Portable restrooms (Honey Buckets) are available for visitors. Handwashing stations and hand sanitizer will be provided.
Oxbow offers accessible parking and restroom facilities around our Plant Stand. But trails beyond can be uneven and difficult to navigate with wheelchairs or mobility aids. For questions or assistance, visit oxbow.org/visit/#accessibility or email thedirt@oxbow.org