As the first signs of spring arrive, the Seneca County Community Garden is already buzzing with plans to make the 2025 season its most engaging and impactful yet. From Earth Day workshops to youth gardening programs, the garden is preparing a packed schedule of events designed to educate, inspire, and bring the community together.
The celebration kicks off on Tuesday, April 22 with a series of Earth Day workshops. Ryan Staychock, Seneca County CCE Environmental Educator, will lead a composting workshop at 9 a.m., followed by a tool sharpening session with Master Gardener Don Cobb. Volunteers and Master Gardeners will wrap up the morning with a session on prepping garden beds for planting.
Next up is the popular Seedling Swap on Saturday, May 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. Gardeners can trade seedlings or pick up new plants, no exchange required. The event also includes a container gardening workshop, hosted by the CCE Master Gardeners.
On Sunday, June 29, the garden hosts its annual Arts Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by Auburn Public Theater and the Bonafiglia Family Foundation, this family-friendly event will feature crafts like stepping stones, tie-dye shirts, birdhouses, terrariums, and more. Registration is free but required.
The summer calendar also includes a new Youth Garden Program in partnership with the Seneca Falls Recreation Center. Dates are still being finalized, but organizers promise a hands-on learning experience for young gardeners.
Thanks to AmeriCorps and Girl Scout Troop 40457, the garden has added a dozen new raised beds this season. Soil delivery is complete, and planting will begin by the end of April. Grant funding from the Bonafiglia Family Foundation will support a new outdoor pavilion and enhance educational and nutritional programming throughout the year.
In 2024, the garden donated more than 250 pounds of fresh produce to food pantries and senior housing centers in Seneca County. Organizers say that commitment to giving back will continue this season.
Plots are still available for $20, with raised and in-ground options offered. Interested community members can email [email protected] to reserve a space.
The garden also serves as the demonstration site for the Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. More information and gardening resources can be found at www.senecacountycce.org.
The Community Garden team meets monthly at the Seneca Falls Recreation Center, with the next meeting scheduled for May 7.
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