LEWES, Del. - The Lewes Community Garden are gearing up for their 2025 season with a variety of community events and new additions to their outreach efforts.
With 12 new gardeners joining the group and a donation from Christiana Cares, LCG looks to both continue educating the public about the importance of sustainable gardening and expand their outreach efforts across the community.
Lewes Community Garden members showcasing the donations to the group from Thanksgiving 2024. (Lewes Community Garden)
LCG says the $15,000 donation from Christiana Cares will allow them to increase their output of fresh donations to local food banks and local nonprofits, expand educational events, increase the number of garden beds and improve the garden's infrastructure, and begin on site demonstrations regarding native plant restoration.
In addition, LCG is excited to announce some of the educational programs for this year, including an interactive talk with Holly Dempsey regarding Delmarva's past and present history with nature on May 17, an invasive species and habitat management program hosted by Gregg Woolston on August 16, and a "Lose the Lawn" workshop focusing on how local homeowners can take steps to both reduce turf grass while adding natural beauty to their gardens by incorporating local pollinators on October 18 by the Sussex Master Gardeners. All events listed are free and open to the public.
Dr. Patrick Gaffney will be leading the new Native Plant Restoration Committee for Lewes Community Garden. (Lewes Community Garden)
LCG has also announced that they have established the new Native Plant Restoration Committee. Dr. Patrick Gaffney, a retired biologist who taught at the University of Delaware, will be the chair of the new committee. They will focus on replacing invasive species with native plants, while protecting native trees and shrubs that are in place.
LCG will also be hosting a garden tour on June 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To those interested in donating to LCG, you can visit their website. Donations to LCG will be used to pay for materials, tools, and equipment to maintain the garden and to keep up with increasing demand.
