Learn how to grow beautiful and productive edible gardens in Miami’s subtropical climate with UF/IFAS’s hands-on foodscaping workshop. Cultivate your own food forest and green space that feeds and inspires.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels as the workshop is mostly stationary with garden walks
Wildlife
History
UF/IFAS has served South Florida since the early 20th century, pioneering agricultural extension programs that support sustainable local food systems.
Conservation
The workshop emphasizes permaculture and organic gardening to conserve water and reduce chemical inputs in urban environments.
The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens
Learn how to grow beautiful and productive edible gardens in Miami’s subtropical climate with UF/IFAS’s hands-on foodscaping workshop. Cultivate your own food forest and green space that feeds and inspires.
The Kampong — part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens — is a historic tropical garden located in Miami, Florida on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The site preserves the Fairchild-Sweeney House and showcases the legacy of plant explorer David Fairchild through extensive exotic fruit trees, rare tropical species, and curated collections. Visitors can choose docent-led guided tours that highlight the estate’s history and plant collections, or self-guided tours that allow leisurely exploration with a provided map.
The Kampong hosts a rotating schedule of hands-on workshops and classes set in the garden landscape. Offerings include cyanotype printing for fabric, community indigo dip workshops teaching Shibori resist dyeing, edible gardening programming presented with UF/IFAS (recommended for ages 12 and up), watercolor courses led by local artist Eileen Seitz, and all-levels yoga with Sam Reynolds. Forest bathing sessions guided by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta focus on sensory practices grounded in science; evening Moonrise Forest Bathing is offered under the full moon.
Several specialty experiences such as macrophotography, ikebana, functional movement, and seasonal events invite creative engagement with plants and place. Cyanotype workshops note limited spaces to encourage advance booking. The Kampong combines plant conservation, education, and cultural programming on a historic estate, offering both structured interpretation and independent discovery for visitors interested in botany, art, sustainability, and Miami’s tropical landscape.
Public programs emphasize hands-on learning, conservation-minded practices, seasonal plant highlights, and the site supports research, education, and community engagement for residents and visitors from Miami and beyond, with year-round programming and volunteer opportunities available.
Location
Miami, Florida
Tropical garden on Biscayne Bay
Tours & Workshops
16 experiences
Guided, self-guided, and hands-on classes
Historic Estate
Fairchild-Sweeney House
Preserved landmark within the gardens
Collections & Plants
Exotic fruits & rare species
Diverse tropical plant collections
Reserve guided tours, self-guided visits, and workshops to experience Miami’s unique tropical garden and historic estate.
Start with native and tropical plants
Choose plants adapted to South Florida’s heat and humidity to ensure a thriving edible garden.
Use mulch to retain soil moisture
Apply organic mulch to reduce water evaporation and keep roots cool during summer heat.
Plan for year-round harvesting
In Miami’s climate, stagger plantings to enjoy fresh produce throughout all seasons.
Protect plants from pests naturally
Incorporate beneficial insects and companion planting to minimize chemical use.
Sun hat
Protect yourself from intense South Florida sun during garden walks.
summer
Comfortable walking shoes
Ideal for walking through uneven garden terrain.
Notebook and pen
To take notes during lectures and plan your gardening designs.
Reusable water bottle
Stay hydrated throughout the workshop and outdoor sessions.
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