Mission San Luis welcomes the public this Saturday for a spring planting celebration filled with history and gardening

Tallahassee, Florida – A unique opportunity to blend history, gardening, and community spirit is coming to Mission San Luis this Saturday as the historic site hosts its inaugural Spring Planting at the Mission event. Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 5, 2025, the gathering promises hands-on learning, family-friendly fun, and a meaningful nod to 17th-century agriculture.

The event is open to the public and takes place on the grounds of Mission San Luis, a National Historic Landmark located in the heart of Tallahassee. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd is encouraging residents to take part in the event, which highlights both the beauty of spring and the rich cultural heritage of the region.

“April is a wonderful time to start a garden, and experts will be on hand at Mission San Luis to share their gardening knowledge,” said Secretary Byrd. “This inaugural event will feature demonstrations and interpreters cultivating period appropriate plants in the site’s gardens.”

Read also: Pat Geraghty will retire from his position as CEO of GuideWell and Florida Blue at the end of 2025 after leading the company through over a decade of transformation

Visitors can expect a wide variety of educational displays and live demonstrations focused on heritage gardening. Historical interpreters will dress in period attire and plant crops just as they were grown centuries ago at the mission. Attendees will learn how early Floridians approached agriculture and which plants were essential to their diets and survival.

One of the event’s biggest attractions is the free seeds and plants that will be available to visitors throughout the day, encouraging guests to try their hand at gardening once they return home. Garden enthusiasts and beginners alike will appreciate the expert tips provided by partners including Tallahassee Nurseries, All the Buzz Apiaries, and the Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

Local food truck The Ark FT will also be on-site serving up fresh meals, making it easy for families to spend the entire day at the mission. With picnic areas available and a pet-friendly policy, the event is ideal for visitors of all ages looking to enjoy a relaxing day outdoors.
Admission is affordably priced at $5 for adults, $2 for children aged 6 to 17, and free for children under 6. Seniors aged 65 and older can enter for $3. The historic grounds, which include recreated Spanish and Apalachee structures, provide the perfect backdrop for an educational and enjoyable Saturday outing.

Read also: Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives ask the public for help in identifying the suspect involved in the sexual assault of an 81-year-old woman in Lauderdale Lakes

Mission San Luis continues to serve as a window into Florida’s past, and events like Spring Planting at the Mission help bring that history to life. For more information, visitors can head to www.missionsanluis.org.

With spring in full bloom, this weekend’s event is a great chance to dig into the past — and into the soil.