Spring Update: May 2026
WARM SPRING GREETINGS!
Dear friends, colleagues, and supporters,
Heart Spring Gardens sends warm spring greetings to you. Like the seedlings in the greenhouse, the garden is unfolding leaf by leaf. We want to tell you about it!
We are now well in place at Mettabee and feel the gardens are placed in good soil here.This spring we have concentrated our efforts in the greenhouse, where seedlings, cuttings and potted plants are being cared for in the shelter of its warmth, to soon become the medicine plants we will grow and process in different ways throughout the year.
Out there, in the ½ acre fenced area, a cover crop of winter peas we thought would freeze-off is growing strong! We have begun to prepare the 30+ beds; a few of which are now planted with the perennials that came along with us and were heeled-in last fall. Along the stream and under the canopy of large trees, the little beds planted with some of your help last October have young shoots beginning to emerge, the first Cowslip flowers showing themselves. We have also planted the trees and shrubs that were heeled-in for the winter: roses, white cedars and Nanking cherries are now creating a hedgerow along Harlemville Road.
Since beginning this endeavor it has filled us with wonder to witness the gradual build-up and unfolding of Heart Spring. Piece by piece a reality is emerging, and now the plants themselves, showing up, are adding to this phenomenon of “something” being born. Fascinating and humbling all the same. Witnessing this birth we also witness all that contributes to it. This is for us an object of continual attention: how to nurture and rightfully interact with the environment, human relationships, conditions, and gifts that make this all possible? Where do plants come from? Who grows them? Where does anything Good come from?
At Mettabee, we are supported on all sides: the use of the greenhouse, a workshop space, and the invitation to garment the land with plants and gardens. The welcome and support we have received from Elizabeth Rivers is humbling. We have also received much support from Hawthorne Valley Farm in terms of equipment, winter plant housing and more. We hope to collaborate with them in the work of biodynamic agriculture. The children from the Phoenix Initiative have also helped us plant roses and celebrated a Candlemas blessing in the garden with us in February. These are just a few examples of the generosity and goodwill that comes towards Heart Spring every day. From planting to legal to technical to equipment, the list is long! A web of support has already been woven far more complex than we could have planned or thought out.
We now have a non-profit organization that allows us to receive grants and donations. After much work on the back-end developing our basic organisational and administrative framework, we can now stand solidly and begin to make the mission visible. We have a talented and supportive board of directors and have received some extraordinary donations and grants which allow us to go into this season with confidence.
At the core of the mission of Heart Spring is that the gates are open and all are welcome to join in the creation and joy of the gardens. Through the Volunteer page on our website those of you who wish to help the gardens unfold should be able to find a way that works for you. This is important because we sure will need extra hands and you have let us know that you want to be involved. If you have already signed up previously to be included in our volunteer group there is no need to do so again. Rachel Schneider, neighbor and board member, has kindly offered to co-ordinate volunteer opportunities for Heart Spring this season.
We gave a presentation for the Berkshire Taconic Branch in late March; it was an encouraging event, indicating how much this work means for many in our local community. We have chosen to wait a little before offering any major events at Heart Spring, we now need to establish the gardens before we talk any more about them! Below, however, you will find some dates of upcoming smaller events and gatherings to which you should feel warmly welcome.
As mentioned above, the financial support we have already received in the form of gifts and grants will make it possible this year for the focused and solid establishment of the basis of the gardens at Mettabee. We cannot ask for more! Our hearts are too full as is! We can, however, share what our plans are and what is still needed in terms of financial capacity in order to realize our vision. We have set a goal of raising $ 350k in 2026 in order to put into place essential infrastructure such as deer fencing, foundational development and landscaping of the site, a greenhouse, and basic equipment. Thanks to the contributions already received we have reached 40% of our goal!
We are not going to be sending frequent campaigns or requests to you for gifts. We strongly feel our work should speak for itself. What we will do is try to share what we are doing, where we hope to get to, and what is still needed. You can help Heart Spring by spreading the word, bringing your friends and neighbors to visit, and also connecting us with foundations that may be interested in supporting our work. In this way we have no doubt that the gardens will continue to grow and hopefully become a lasting resource for our community.
Feel free to reach out to us, come by and visit, send friends of yours our way, speak about Heart Spring Gardens to others, and, whenever possible, let your heart spring when you encounter plants!
Jean-David Derreumaux and Ben Davis
Upcoming Events
JUNE 6TH: PLANT GIFTING DAY AND GARDEN WALK
There will be a small selection of extra plants that we would like to give as gifts to your home garden
10am-12pm
Mettabee GreenhouseMONTHLY GARDEN WALKS: LAST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH
Come visit the plants and ask your questions about gardening and biodynamics. All ages welcome. Bring a picnic!
June 27th, July 25th, August 29th, September 26th, October 31st
10am-12pm
Mettabee Greenhouse
(Note: In the event of heavy rain, the walk will be postponed to the following Saturday at the same time. Check our website for updates.)VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS AND PICNICS COMING SOON
