As we delve into the heart of the growing season, we are excited to share some developments taking root in York Land Trust’s Edible Garden. We started the organic garden in the summer of 2022 to open up new opportunities for public programming and to serve as a quiet space for community members to sit and enjoy nature at our scenic headquarters preserve.
York Land Trust’s free nature-based programming connects people of all ages to gardening, plants, lifecycles, and all the beauty and creativity that comes from this space. Some popular programs in our Garden Series include Organic Gardening 101, a Native Pollinators Workshop, Children’s Sensory Garden Planning, Storytime in the Garden with York Public Library, Scavenger Hunts, and an upcoming fall Garden Focaccia Cooking Class.
The York Land Trust Garden has truly become an interactive and abundant space. Produce grown in our garden is donated to Maine Harvest for Hunger Program, an outreach program administered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. This community-driven initiative mobilizes gardeners, farmers, businesses, schools, civic groups, and others to contribute nutritious fruits and vegetables to all those facing food insecurity via food pantries, soup kitchens, community meals, and individuals statewide.
“By cultivating an organic garden, we are not just growing vegetables, we are providing healthy food for local food pantries and nurturing connections within our community,” said Diane Ross, YLT’s Garden Coordinator and a Maine Master Gardener Volunteer. “In addition, we are creating a sanctuary for wildlife and promoting sustainable practices that support the long-term health of our local environment.”
The edible garden was established via a collaborative community effort including Maine Master Gardener Volunteers. Eldredge Lumber provided the seedlings and supported the purchase of garden tools and materials, and the construction of the garden was funded by a grant from the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust of York.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s growing this summer:
- Vegetables: Garlic, beans, tomatoes, summer squash, carrots, lettuce or kale, broccoli, chives, peppers, cucumber
- Herbs: Basil, lavender
- Flowers: Sunflowers, marigolds, nasturtium
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to green thumbs, there’s a place for everyone in York Land Trust’s Garden. Your contributions help sustain this vital community resource and support our commitment to conservation and community outreach. For further inquiries or to sign up for volunteer shifts, please contact Amelia Nadilo at anadilo@yorklandtrust.org
Here’s to a season of growth and abundance!