Smarty Sprouts: free storytime in the garden every Thursday

Every Thursday at 10 a.m., the nursery gets a little louder. Smarty Sprouts is our weekly storytime for kids and their grown-ups: a garden-themed story read in English and Spanish, followed by a walk through the nursery.

It is free, it is for all ages, and you do not need to sign up.

How it works

Each week has a theme. Hazel from Cafe Tico reads a storybook or two that fit it, in both English and Spanish. Then Terrence from our team leads the kids on a tour of the nursery tied to the same theme, so a story about caterpillars becomes a hunt for butterfly host plants, and a story about seeds becomes a look at what is sprouting.

Come a little early to settle in, or stay after to wander the nursery and grab something from Cafe Tico. Grown-ups are part of it too: sit with your child, read along and join the tour, since many of the best questions come from parents who are just as curious about the plants.

Why a nursery is a good place for storytime

Kids learn by touching, looking and asking questions, and a nursery is full of things to look at and ask about. The tour turns the story into something real: the leaf they just heard about is right there.

For parents, it is an easy morning outing that is free, close to home and outdoors.

Now on Thursdays

Smarty Sprouts started on Wednesday mornings in early October. It has moved to Thursdays at 10 a.m. If you saw an earlier post with Wednesday, Thursday is the day now.

Coming up

Thursday, October 29: The Leaves in the Fall.

Thursday, November 5: Planting a Garden.

Thursday, November 12: Exploring Our Surroundings: From Plant to Seed.

Thursday, November 19: Thanks for Thanksgiving.

Check our events page for the latest themes.

Bring the garden home

After storytime, a lot of kids want a plant of their own. Easy starters include herbs like basil and mint, a small pot of succulents, or a butterfly host plant they can check for caterpillars. Our post on easy vegetables for new gardeners has ideas for kids who want to grow something they can eat.

Keep an eye out for GaLinda while you are here. Ask at the front counter if your kids want to know more.

What kids take away from the tour

The tour is where the story becomes real. Kids get to touch soft leaves and rough bark, smell herbs like mint and basil, spot a caterpillar on a host plant or find a seed pod and wonder what is inside. Terrence keeps it moving and keeps it hands-on, with plenty of time for questions.

Each theme connects to something they can see at the nursery that day. Over a few weeks, kids start to recognize plants, notice how they change and ask better questions, which is the point.

Why English and Spanish

Reading each story in two languages means more families can follow along, and it gives every child a chance to hear new words. Kids who speak one language hear the other in a setting that is relaxed and fun. Parents and grandparents who are more comfortable in Spanish can enjoy the story right alongside the kids.

Hazel reads in both languages, so no one has to choose.

Tips for a first visit

Arrive a few minutes before 10 to find a spot and settle in. Storytime is outdoors in the nursery, so dress for the weather, bring water and consider sunscreen and a hat for the tour. Closed-toe shoes are a good idea for little ones walking the nursery paths.

Toddlers and older kids are both welcome. If yours need a break during the story, step away and come back; nobody minds. And if your child is shy, the tour is often where they warm up, once there is something to look at and touch.

Make it a Thursday habit

Because the theme changes every week, regulars get something new each time. Many families come for storytime, stay for a coffee from Cafe Tico and a snack, and take a slow walk through the nursery before heading home.

If you are part of a playgroup, a homeschool group or a preschool class and want to come together, just come. For a larger group, a call ahead to (561) 540-6296 helps us plan.

A plant to take home

Some of the best plants for kids grow fast enough to show change week to week. Sunflowers and beans sprout quickly from seed, and herbs like basil can be snipped and used in the kitchen. A small pot on a sunny windowsill or porch is plenty.

Ask our team which plants are kid-friendly and safe around pets. We are happy to help a young gardener choose.

Who is behind Smarty Sprouts

Smarty Sprouts is a partnership between SmartyPlants and Cafe Tico, the Costa Rican coffee bar inside the nursery. Hazel from Cafe Tico brings the books and reads each story, and Terrence from our team brings the nursery to life on the tour.

We started it because families kept bringing their kids to wander the nursery, and we wanted to give them a reason to come back every week. It has become one of our favorite mornings.

Plan your visit

Smarty Sprouts is every Thursday at 10 a.m. at SmartyPlants. It is free and open to all ages, with no RSVP needed. Presented by SmartyPlants in partnership with Cafe Tico.

Strollers are welcome. Storytime runs about an hour, from 10 to 11 a.m., including the tour, so it fits easily into a morning before naps or lunch. If the weather looks uncertain, call (561) 540-6296 before you head out. We will see you Thursday.

Frequently asked questions