James City County/Williamsburg
Master Gardeners

George Reid and Shields Learning Gardens

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There are two CW learning gardens that the Master Gardeners maintain. The Reid Learning Garden is an 18th Century combination of an herb, perennial, vegetable garden and orchard. The Shields Learning Garden is devoted solely to vegetables. Both are located in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg. Separate interest groups of Master Gardeners focus on different areas of the garden and are coordinated by the project chairperson. In addition, Master Gardeners, who have been trained by Colonial Williamsburg, lead “Meet the Gardener” educational tours through the gardens. The Vegetables Group and the Herbs Group meet weekly from March through October and coordinate their work schedules. The Flowers Group meets regularly at least once a month from March through November. The Composting Team meets whenever needed. The Orchard Team, involving pruning and care of the 18th Century orchard, is coordinated as needed by the Peninsula Tree Stewards.

All aspects involved in the maintenance of the Learning Gardens are used as a hands-on learning experience for those training to become master gardeners as well as an ongoing educational experience for our members in 18C gardening techniques, The different interest groups are also often featured as themes in our Farmer's Market project as well as other community outreach programs.

The Reid Learning Garden was featured as the first MG garden on the Virginia Garden Tour and was presented at the CW 2002 Spring Garden Symposium. Correct planting techniques, non-chemical pest management, drip irrigation, natural composting, and correct pruning techniques are also constantly practiced and explored.