This spring has been a little quieter than normal in our gardens. Not for lack of effort, but thanks to cooler-than-average temperatures and a particularly enthusiastic groundhog family that seems to think our gardens are an all-you-can-eat buffet. Still, even with fewer spring harvests, there’s been plenty of growth to celebrate.

We kicked off the season with a series of planning and planting workshops, hosting two sessions for each topic to meet the needs of all our gardeners. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we have installed six new raised beds and filled eight planters on fire escapes and balconies across the neighborhood. Compost deliveries rolled out in April and May, and together, we distributed around 500 seedlings to home and community gardens alike. We’re thrilled to welcome four brand-new home gardeners into the program this year!

Our neighborhood-wide Garden Parties have had a slow start, but the digging pit remains a hit—especially with our youngest neighbors—and we’ve had folks stop by to make bird feeders and just enjoy time together in the community gardens.

And then, there’s Lem, an avid home gardener whom we featured last May. Lem and his family recently suffered a tragic house fire. Though he’s temporarily staying (and gardening) outside of the neighborhood, he’s still very much part of our community. He received compost, seeds, seedlings, and soaker hoses through the program and told us, “Spending all morning in the garden is my therapy, and all that is keeping me sane.” Lem continues to show up for garden workshops and workdays when he can, and we’re grateful for his continued presence.

Finally, we wrapped up the month with volunteers from the local offices of Deloitte. This annual group is always eager to get their hands dirty in the gardens, and this year, they helped us repair fencing that will hopefully contribute to our ongoing groundhog mitigation efforts!

Spring may not have been abundant in harvest, but the season has been rich in connection, support, and the kind of growth that matters most.