Grow Flavor: Herbs 101 Workshop with UF/IFAS in Miami

Herbs 101 with UF/IFAS at 4013 Douglas Rd. Miami, FL 33133 invites home cooks and gardeners to a practical, hands-on workshop led by Master Gardeners from the UF/IFAS Extension Team. Set in a working tropical garden open to the public, this compact class focuses on culinary herbs that thrive in South Florida’s heat and humidity. Attendees learn which varieties are easiest to grow, how to pair herbs in containers and beds, and simple propagation techniques to multiply a favorite plant. The setting is as much a teacher as the instructors: raised beds, shaded benches and compact demonstration plots create a full-sensory classroom where fragrant leaves, glossy tropical foliage, and visiting pollinators make each technique immediately useful. Key features include herb beds and container demonstrations, propagation stations, and interpretive signage explaining soil mixes and microclimates. Expect hands-on practice with cuttings, soil mixes, and simple pruning—skills you can use on an apartment balcony or a backyard landscape. This workshop is free for NTBG members; non-members receive a discount on garden admission with advanced registration. Small group size (10 participants) means plenty of time for individualized advice from UF/IFAS Master Gardeners who tailor recommendations to Miami’s limestone soils, salt air, and seasonal rainfall patterns. That local expertise is what makes this session stand out: tips are specific to South Florida challenges like summer heat, fungal pressure, and microclimate shading under canopy trees. Practical takeaways include a short list of herbs that reliably succeed in local conditions, pairing notes for companion planting, and step-by-step propagation so you can expand your collection without buying new plants. The class is ideal for beginners and intermediate gardeners; it’s a chance to smell, touch, and practice rather than just read about techniques. Nearby urban amenities make it easy to combine the workshop with a morning stroll through the garden or a visit to nearby markets for fresh produce. Bring a notebook, hat, water bottle, and a willingness to get your hands dirty. With a mix of science-backed guidance and real-world Miami-tested tricks, Herbs 101 is a small, focused way to change how you cook and garden—one pot, one cutting, one season at a time. Beyond the classroom, the garden itself is a living collection of tropical and subtropical specimens—mature spice trees, citrus, and shade-loving ornamentals that demonstrate how herbs perform under canopy conditions common across coastal Miami. Those plantings give context to lessons about root depth, salt tolerance, and seasonal pruning cycles. Because the UF/IFAS team focuses on evidence-based practices, participants leave with a shopping list and a care calendar keyed to Miami’s rainy and dry seasons. For foodies and backyard growers, this workshop is a practical step toward flavorful, sustainable home cooking that begins in the soil.