Cultivating Community and Education
The Historic Triangle Learning Garden sits between the Child Development Resources (CDR) Building and Waller Mill Elementary School at 312 Waller Mill Road. Operated by the James City County/Williamsburg Chapter of the Master Gardeners, this educational site plays a crucial role in community engagement as it approaches its 15th anniversary in 2025.
Foundation and Early Years
The garden began through the Incredible Edibles Project. Its goal was simple: teach the public how to grow and prepare fresh vegetables. In 2010, a federal grant allowed the Williamsburg James City Community Action Agency to partner with the Master Gardeners. Together, they created a space where teenagers could learn organic gardening and food preparation. Initially, the site featured seven raised beds, a large demonstration bed, and animal-proof fencing. The garden's success was clear from the start. In its first year, three teenage gardeners won blue ribbons at the state fair for their vegetables.
Sustained Growth and Adaptation
Scouts Learning Gardening
Even after the initial funding ended, the Master Gardeners' dedication kept the garden thriving. Within a year, they replaced the large demonstration bed, adding eight more raised beds and a border garden filled with pollinator flowers and herbs. This expansion created a vibrant learning space for Master Gardeners and community members. Programs like "Grow It and Eat It" flourished, with Master Gardener speakers engaging local garden clubs. Moreover, scout troops began visiting, allowing them to learn organic vegetable gardening hands-on.
Supporting Food Banks
A key focus of the garden is to grow vegetables and herbs for local food banks, such as FISH and Williamsburg House of Mercy. Initially, two raised beds were set aside for this purpose. In 2021, McDonald's Nursery donated extra tomato plants, prompting the creation of a 20-foot square annex garden. This addition significantly increased production for food banks and remains integral to the garden's mission. This past year, over 500 pounds of fresh produce was donated.
West Garden Expansion
Expansion and Community Support
As interest in organic gardening grew, the garden expanded to meet community needs. In 2022, it received a grant from the Virginia Cooperative Extension and permission from the City of Williamsburg to utilize adjacent land, effectively doubling its size. Additional funding from the Ford’s Colony Garden Club, Eagle’s Aerie 4548, and other donors funded the construction of 19 new raised beds. Two of these are designed for gardeners with physical impairments, including a raised asparagus bed. Currently, five beds and the annex focus on producing for food banks, with contributions from other gardeners enhancing this effort.
Future Plans and Community Involvement
The adjacent CDR Building is undergoing renovation to become a teaching site for parents and children, which will enhance the garden's educational role. Furthermore, a new Fragrance Garden provides a sensory-rich experience for children. Now recognized as a certified Monarch Way Station, the border garden also offers pollinators a beautiful habitat.
Regular workdays and teaching sessions occur every two weeks during the gardening season, promoting public involvement. Volunteers can help maintain the garden while learning gardening techniques from Master Gardeners.
Historical Triangle Learning Garden
The Historic Triangle Learning Garden exemplifies education, sustainability, and community collaboration. As it approaches its 15th anniversary, it looks forward to many more seasons of growth, learning, and service. Join us in supporting this invaluable resource and become a part of its vibrant future.
Special Initiative: Grow Your Own Food
This year, the Virginia Extension Master Gardener Program emphasizes an important theme: Grow Your Own Food - Home Food Production. This year-long initiative aims to teach sustainable gardening practices, focusing on various vegetables, herbs, and pollinator-friendly plants. The Historic Triangle Learning Garden actively supports this effort by offering hands-on learning opportunities and expert guidance. By participating, community members will gain the skills needed to create their thriving home gardens. Moreover, the garden's commitment to supporting local food banks aligns perfectly with the initiative's goals of fostering community resilience and food security. Thus, it stands as a cornerstone of the program's outreach.
Come Grow With Us!
