Welcome to the Birdhouse Community Garden Photo Gallery
Scrolling down this page and through the photos will take you through the journey of Birdhouse Community Garden from breaking ground, to building the Greenhouse, to our most recent Sweet Potato Project. We hope you will enjoy this collection of photographs and that you learn a little bit more about BCG while you scroll!
Breaking Ground in the Birdhouse Community Garden | Fall 2022
In the fall of 2022, Americorps members, community volunteers, Birdhouse staff, and neighbors alike gathered to break ground and install the Birdhouse Community Garden (BCG). With the help of Richmond Grows Gardens, the support of the Randolph Neighborhood Association, and tools lended from the RVA ToolBank, BCG became a reality in Petronius Jones Park; a space for anyone to exist within, learn about growing food, and to harvest from.
Since day 1, BCG has fostered a “By Community, For Community” motto that we still remain true to today. BCG does not have any rental plots - instead we have community beds, berry patches, and herb circles open to all who may pass through the park. We encourage everyone to get their hands dirty, pull a weed or two, harvest what you will eat, and to fully enjoy the space no matter what that means to you.
BCG is here for you, no matter how you show up. All are welcome here. Come garden with us!
Building the Greenhouse | Fall 2024
In the fall of 2024, roughly 30 volunteers spent three weekends building the Greenhouse at BCG. This project was made possible thanks to a Keep Virginia Green Grant awarded to BCG in the summer of 2024. BCG uses the greenhouse to start seeds, educate the community about greenhouse management, and also to house young plants throughout harsher weather conditions. Stop by and visit the BCG Greenhouse today!
Weekend 1: Post Setting | Weekend 2: Building the Deck |Weekend 3: Building the Greenhouse Kit and securing it to the deck
Blueberry Hill Installation | Fall 2025
In October 2025, 30+ volunteers from the surrounding community and from the University of Richmond helped to install the long-dreamed of and awaited Blueberry Hill at Birdhouse Community Garden. Adjacent to the pickleball courts, this hill has long sat vacant since the court’s installation, but has now reached it’s full potential as a premier destination for blueberry lovers of all ages!
Together, we planted 6 different varieties of blueberries, ranging from early-season to late-season varietals (moving from left to right if looking towards the courts, in front of the hill), to ensure maximum fruit producing capacity throughout the year. We hope that you will visit Blueberry Hill in the future to harvest it’s bounty, enjoy the elevated view of the park, and listen to the many birds that call Petronius Jones Park home.
Sweet Potatoes with Garden Elder, “Sweet Potato Joe” Mason | 2025
In the 2025 garden season at BCG, we planted a trial bed of sweet potatoes under the guidance of garden elder, “Sweet Potato Joe” Mason. Joe’s family has cultivated this heirloom variety of sweet potatoes for generations and he was eager to pass along this knowledge to gardeners this season and in seasons to come. BCG is in Joe’s neighborhood and he’s excited to have a space to garden just steps from his front door.
The sweet potato project started with planting in May and was completed with two rounds of harvesting; an early harvest in October and another to finish it out in November. Through this trial season, we were able to harvest enough slips to plant an entire bed of sweet potatoes in the 2026 season plus hand out about 5 pounds of sweet potatoes to neighbors, gardeners, and community members who wanted to take them home.
In 2026, while continuing the sweet potato project, we plan to deepen the sweet potato bed by an additional 8-10 inches as well as work on the soil quality within the bed to hopefully increase our sweet potato yeild, feed more neighbors, and grow plenty of slips for our own garden and for our gardeners who may have a plot or two at home.
Community Work Days Throughout The Years | 2022 - 2025
Beginning in 2023, BCG began hosting monthly community work days on the first Saturday of the month, March - November. The monthly garden work days were a place for community members of all skill levels and abilities to come together, garden as a community, and learn a little something different about growing food each week. By 2025, the work days had grown to 50+ people per month and BCG shifted it’s model to a weekly community work day, every Saturday, March - November. On average, these work days draw about 5-15 people each week and we have a dedicated crew of volunteers who make it to almost every work day throughout the season. On the first Saturday of each month, BCG hosts a community potluck in an effort to build community within the garden, introduce people to the mission of Birdhouse, and strengthen relationships amongst gardeners and community members alike. Bringing food or a non-alcolic beverage is encouraged, but everyone is welcome regardless of their ability to provide food for the potluck.
We would love to see you in the garden at a work day soon! All ages, abilities, and skill levels are welcome. No prior garden knowledge needed - we’re all here to learn together! Birdhouse provides all necessary tools. Please wear closed toed shoes and clothes you can get dirty. Bring a water bottle and maybe a friend or two.
See you in the garden!