Downtown Greens Inc.

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Fredericksburg, VA
Downtown Greens Inc.

Downtown Greens Inc. Non-profit community greenspace open to the public from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year.

02/20/2025

Gardening season fast approaches! Now is the perfect time to arm yourself with as much pest control knowledge as possible!

Join Garden Coordinator, Em Ford, as they talk about Pests in Your Garden and what can be done!

From removal to spraying to fences, Em Ford will give you some tried and true tips to help keep unwanted visitors from your garden!

This class is free and no signup is required!

The class will be held at the Fredericksburg Branch Library at 1201 Caroline Street, 22401.

Ample parking behind building.

Questions? Email [email protected]

02/19/2025

16 inches! 2 inches. 7 inches. No snow. 1 inch. 2 days of snow. One day of snow....

It's enough to make you crazy!

Assuming we don't get 1-50 inches of snow, garden hours are on for Thursday this week!

Thursday, 2/20, 3pm - 5pm: Lower garden - We will be cutting down and/or pulling + removing invasive privet shrubs in and near the rain garden.

Saturday, 2/22: Canceled due to other programs - Nature Walk (full)

Also, come visit our table at the Student Climate Action Summit hosted at UMW from 11-3p on Saturday!

02/13/2025

Who else is ready for spring?

02/12/2025

At Downtown Greens, our mission is to help connect people with nature. This not only takes a dedicated staff, but also countless volunteers who dedicate their time and energy in helping a dynamic organization.

If you have the passion and interest in helping to connect the community with nature, would like to help shape the future and direction of Downtown Greens, and can attend monthly meetings along with advocating for Downtown Greens in the community, please reach out to Christie Hoerneman, Board President, at [email protected].

02/11/2025

Pest season fast approaches! Join Garden Coordinator, Em Ford, as they talk about common pests and what can be done!

From removal to spraying to fences, Em Ford will give you some tried and true tips to help keep unwanted visitors from your garden!

This class is free and no signup is required!

The class will be held at the Fredericksburg Branch Library at 1201 Caroline Street, 22401.

Ample parking behind building.

Questions? Email [email protected]

02/05/2025

February in the Garden - https://mailchi.mp/dfc9a381282a/downtowngreensnewsletter-5801203

02/04/2025

Let's see what our youngest gardeners have been up to!

Continuing their Parts of the Plant lessons, they learned all about stems! They learned about which stems we eat and also got to use some to make veggie stamps using celery, broccoli, and romaine stems.

And since the weather was so nice they were back out in the garden learning about which plants can survive the cold and which ones go away for the winter.

Always something fun going on in our Garden Sprouts program!

02/03/2025

The first Basket Weaving Class filled up so quickly that the instructor has agreed to teach a second beginners class that afternoon!

Spaces are limited so get your tickets today by using the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1233138613789?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join Alice Noye of Hand Woven By Design in the owner Garden of our Downtown Campus as she shows us how to weave a basket!

Each participant will be provided with a pre-woven basket bottom and all the materials and guidance needed to weave the body of the basket and finish the top! Each participant will go home with their very own hand woven basket!

This class will last 2.5 hours.

All participants of the beginners class will be eligible to sign up for the Advanced class which will cover how to start the basket from scratch. The advance class will be April 19th.

Questions? Email [email protected]

01/31/2025

Join Alice Noye of Handwoven by Design in the Lower Garden of our Downtown Campus as shows us how to weave a basket.

Each participant will be provided with a pre-woven basket bottom and all the materials and guidance needed to weave the body of the basket and finish the top! Each participant will go home with their very own hand woven basket! Tickets for the beginners class are $35 and includes entry for one participant as well as all the materials. Spaces are VERY limited so get your ticket today by using the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1226821629519?aff=oddtdtcreator

This class will last 2.5 hours.

All participants of the beginners class will be eligible to sign up for the Advanced class which will cover how to start the basket from scratch. The advance class will be April 19th.

The class will take place outdoors so please dress appropriately. This is a rain or shine class. In the chance that it does rain the class will be held under a canopy.

The Lower Garden is located behind our office building at 206 Charles Street, 22401. Ample street parking located in surrounding areas.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Ticket scholarships available for low income community members. Email for more information.

01/30/2025

9 spots left! Snag your ticket today!

Winter Tree ID with Master Naturalist Harry Puffenberger is a fantastic opportunity to learn about trees in the winter season! Join us at Downtown Greens - Belman Road Campus for a fun and educational experience. Harry Puffenberger, President of the Central Rappahannock Master Naturalists, will guide you through identifying trees even without their leaves. Don't miss out on this chance to deepen your knowledge of the local flora!

This is a free event. Sign up is required. Sign up by using the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1109249678649?aff=oddtdtcreator

Winter Tree ID will be held on our Belman Road Campus at 1360 Belman Road. Things can get muddy so wear boots! The walk is about a mile and takes 1-1.5 hours to complete. Ample street parking available.

Questions? Email [email protected]

01/29/2025

One more week off from volunteer hours! But soon we will need all hands on deck in preparation for the rest of the year!!

Join us at one of our future volunteer Garden Hours. Every Thursday, 3p - sunset, and every Saturday, 9a-12p!

Also, come by the King George Master Gardeners Seed Swap! Saturday, February 1, 9am to 1:30pm,
20 Boscobel Road, Fxbg, VA, 22405

Questions about volunteering in the garden? Email [email protected]

01/27/2025

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner! Now is the time to start thinking about your spring garden!

If you plan to grow any food, join us at our Vegetable Gardening: 101 class at the Fredericksburg Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library on Tuesday, February 4th at 10am! Our own Janet Douberly will share with you some useful tips and tricks to growing great vegetables as well as answering any questions you may have!

This is a free class with no sign up required!

Fredericksburg Branch is located at 1201 Caroline Street, 22401. Ample parking in rear.

Questions? Email [email protected]

01/24/2025

Let's check in with our Garden Sprouts to see what they are learning in these freezing temps!!!

Last week, with the help of our education team, Beth McClain and Khalilah Brooker, they planted seeds in a jar so they could see the emerging roots! Thus beginning their "Parts of the Plant" lessons!

This week they were shown different types of root vegetables including carrots, turnips, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, ginger, and beets. The children were then asked what part of the plant they thought grew under the ground. After identifying the roots, they were asked if humans could eat roots. Once it was established that we certainly can, the questions became "What root vegetables can you name?". Most children said carrots and radishes, since they grow those almost every year in their garden.

The subject then turned towards the most popular vegetable, potatoes! The kids got to call out all the things that were made from potatoes. French fries were, of course, the star of the show.

The kids then had the opportunity to touch and smell all the root vegetables provided.

Next the kiddos were given pieces of beets (with a tiny bit of lemon juice and salt). After eating the beets thy all got to compare their beet stained fingers .

Finally, the kids checked on their seeds that were placed in the jars last week to see that the roots were out and growing! They got to learn about the important role roots play in plant growth. Not only water and nutritional uptake but also to act as an anchor for the plant!

01/23/2025

Because it's cold as all get out!

Join us for future volunteer hours, assuming we have defrosted by then!🥶

Questions about volunteering? Email [email protected]

01/22/2025

Were you lucky enough to get a kiss under a parasite this past holiday season? If so it was (hopefully) our very own Mistletoe or Phoradendron leucarpum, from the Greek phor "a thief," and "dendron" "tree,". Our native mistletoe is often called Oak mistletoe though it will grow in several types of native deciduous trees meaning it is the perfect time of year to spot clips of it high up in the tallest trees to catch the sunlight. Because mistletoe is semi parasitic, meaning it only gets some of its energy from the tree it is growing on, it has to make the rest of its energy from scratch, using the sun to photosynthesize.

Mistletoe lore goes all the way back to ancient Greeks who considered it a symbol of male fertility, referring to the white berries as “oak sperm”. According to one tradition, women caught under mistletoe had to return any kiss or not receive any marriage proposals for a year. Yikes!

Aside from its problematic courting associations, this little subshrub has been used for hundreds of years to treat medical conditions such as epilepsy, asthma, hypertension, headaches, menopausal symptoms, infertility, dermatitis, arthritis, and rheumatism. While its small sticky berries are a great treat for cedar waxwings and bluebirds, all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans which makes you wonder just what kind of romance this plant is promoting.

01/21/2025

Believe it or not spring is right around the corner! This is the perfect time to start planning your gardens for the upcoming growing season!

If you are interested in growing food for the first time or are a seasoned vegetable gardener, we invite you to attend this Vegetable Gardening talk on Tuesday, February 4th at 10am. This class is completely free and no signup is required! It will be held at the Fredericksburg Branch Library at 1201 Caroline Street, 22401.

Our own Janet Douberly will be discussing the basics and the not-so-basics of growing food for yourself and your community! Come learn something new, ask questions, and share your own gardening experiences!

Questions? Email [email protected]

01/16/2025

Are the winter blues gettin' you down? We have the perfect solution! Get some fresh air and take a lovely stroll through our Belman Road Campus as the amazing Harry Puffenberger shares his passion for trees and tells us some tips on how to ID common native trees in the winter!

Winter Tree ID with Master Naturalist Harry Puffenberger is a fantastic opportunity to learn about trees in the winter season! so join us for a fun and educational experience. Harry Puffenberger, President of the Central Rappahannock Master Naturalists, will guide you through identifying trees even without their leaves. Don't miss out on this chance to deepen your knowledge of the local flora!

This is a free experience but sign up is required!

Sign up by using the link below!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/winter-tree-id-w-master-naturalist-harry-puffenberger-tickets-1109249678649?aff=oddtdtcreator

Things can get snowy/muddy so make sure to wear boots!

The Belman Road Campus is located at 1360 Belman Road, 22401. Ample street parking available.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Address

206 Charles Street
Fredericksburg, VA
22401

Website

http://www.downtowngreens.org/

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Videos

Get Outside for GivingTuesday!

Let this video show you a few of the MANY reasons to Get Outside for GivingTuesday! The gardens on our Downtown Campus are open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset and are a perfect place to get away from it all and soak in that sweet, sweet nature right here in Downtown Fredericksburg! Looking for a bigger nature fix? Join us on one of the many land tours and classes coming up on our Belman Road campus! Next Land Tour is tomorrow, Saturday November 18th, at 10am! No sign up required! 1360 Belman Road. (Once you turn on to Belman Road, just keep going striaght and you'll see the entrance on the right!) Keep following us on social media or head over to our website where you can see all upcoming prgrams and sign up for our monthly newlsletter that will keep you up-to-date on all Downtown Greens happenings! www.downtowngreens.org

Bees in the Plum Tree

The plum tree in our upper garden is the first to bloom each year which is good news for the native ground bees that are the first to emerge looking for food! The plum tree was grand central station the other day, serving up nectar and pollen to our BeeFFs. #plumblossom #plumtree #groundbees #nativebees #dtguppergarden #downtowngreens

Our native ground bees are emerging for food!

If you've been in the upper garden near the green shed, you may have noticed over 100 tiny holes in the ground! These are our native ground bees coming out of hibernation to find food! DON'T WORRY! The bees emerging now mostly males and they are unable to sting. Even the few females that emerge are far too busy to sting even if you're walking on top of their homes! We are fairly sure our bees are the 'Colletes inaequalis', otherwise known as Unequal Cellophane Bees or Polyester Bees. Every March/April the males emerge from their underground dens and feed on nectar of the early blooming trees and hover around near the ground waiting for the females to emerge. Once the female emerges the males crowd around until one of them has...won her favors...at which point the male bees just kinda hang out, patting themselves on the back for a job well done until they die, usually the end of April to early May. Once the dudes are gone, the female bee prepares her nest in the sandy soil with a few offshoot egg chambers from the main tunnel. She creates a solution by mixing her saliva and a secretion from her abdomen and uses her brush-like tongue to spread this concoction on the walls of the egg chamber. This solution makes the walls of the egg chamber waterproof and can actually last for years! This is how they got their common names like cellophane bee and polyester bee. Some scientists are actually studying this material as a replacement for plastic bags since it biodegrades in 5 years! During the day the bee then gathers food and takes it to the egg chambers where she scrapes the pollen from her leg hairs and mixes it with gathered nectar making a "soup" in the bottom of the cell. Once there is enough soup in the cell she lays an egg on the ceiling or wall and then uses her "cellophane" to close off the cell. Over the next week or so the female bee does this 5-7 times and then fills the nest's central shaft with dirt. If she has extra time she will make a secon

Mats knows what time it is!

When editing videos, timing is everything. That is why it is no surprise Mats from OddBox Studios knows exactly what time it is! IT IS TIME FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN RUNAROUND which STARTS TOMORROW!!!!! This virtual 5k helps raise funds to keep us doing our thing! (Which is a good thing.) Since it's virtual that means you can complete your 5k at your own time and move in your own way! Run, walk, bike, skip, hop, jump, roller skate, it's all good for the Downtown Runaround! You have from March 4th-18th to get the 5k complete! Not sure what route to take? Check out the ice page for our suggested route that will take you by many fabulous downtown businesses including some of our sponsors! Sign up now to secure your amazing swag bag and to for only $30! Want to further your rewards? Refer friends to sign up using your unique link and earn an exclusive goodie basket. Registrants who refer 5 or more friends get a basket containing a Downtown Greens beer glass, a limited edition "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker, a Downtown Greens magnet, and a pollinators bandana. The person with the most referrals will also receive a jar of Downtown Greens' honey! Make it sweeter: sign up as a race team and everyone on the team will receive a "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker. Ready to sign up? Use the link below... https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fredericksburg/DowntownGreensFunRun Or head to our website at www.downtowngreens.org!

Ted Schubel knows what time it is!

Who doesn’t love Ted Schubel? Between being the voice of Town Talk on 1230am and probably reading hundreds of fan letters a day, we are pleased to see that The Schubes knows what time it is! IT IS TIME FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN RUNAROUND!! This virtual 5k helps raise funds to keep us doing our thing! (Which is a good thing.) Since it's virtual that means you can complete your 5k at your own time and move in your own way! Run, walk, bike, skip, hop, jump, roller skate, it's all good for the Downtown Runaround! You have from March 4th-18th to get the 5k complete! Not sure what route to take? Check out the ice page for our suggested route that will take you by many fabulous downtown businesses including some of our sponsors! Sign up now to secure your amazing swag bag and to for only $30! Want to further your rewards? Refer friends to sign up using your unique link and earn an exclusive goodie basket. Registrants who refer 5 or more friends get a basket containing a Downtown Greens beer glass, a limited edition "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker, a Downtown Greens magnet, and a pollinators bandana. The person with the most referrals will also receive a jar of Downtown Greens' honey! Make it sweeter: sign up as a race team and everyone on the team will receive a "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker. Ready to sign up? Use the link below... https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fredericksburg/DowntownGreensFunRun ....or check out our website at www.downtowngreens.org

Amy and Lisa from Wren + Sparrow know it is TIME!

Amy and Lisa from Wren & Sparrow are always busy helping us take care of our fine feathered friends but even with their busy schedule they know it is TIME! IT IS TIME FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN RUNAROUND!! This virtual 5k helps raise funds to keep us doing our thing! (Which is a good thing.) Since it's virtual that means you can complete your 5k at your own time and move in your own way! Run, walk, bike, skip, hop, jump, roller skate, it's all good for the Downtown Runaround! You have from March 4th-18th to get the 5k complete! Not sure what route to take? Stay tuned for our suggested route that will take you by many fabulous downtown businesses including some of our sponsors! Sign up now to secure your amazing swag bag and to for only $30! Want to further your rewards? Refer friends to sign up using your unique link and earn an exclusive goodie basket. Registrants who refer 5 or more friends get a basket containing a Downtown Greens beer glass, a limited edition "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker, a Downtown Greens magnet, and a pollinators bandana. The person with the most referrals will also receive a jar of Downtown Greens' honey! Make it sweeter: sign up as a race team and everyone on the team will receive a "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker. Ready to sign up? Use the link below! https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fredericksburg/DowntownGreensFunRun

Sarah and Marianne know it is TIME!

Even immersed in office work, Executive Director, Sarah Perry, and Office Coordinator, Marianne Tokarz, knows what time it is! IT IS TIME FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL DOWNTOWN RUNAROUND!! This virtual 5k helps raise funds to keep us doing our thing! (Which is a good thing.) Since it's virtual that means you can complete your 5k at your own time and move in your own way! Run, walk, bike, skip, hop, jump, roller skate, it's all good for the Downtown Runaround! You have from March 4th-18th to get the 5k complete! Not sure what route to take? Stay tuned for our suggested route that will take you by many fabulous downtown businesses including some of our sponsors! Sign up early to secure your amazing swag bag and to lock in the early bird rate of only $25! If signing up early is not in the stars for you, have no fear! Sign up will stay open through the last day of the race! Early bird pricing ends February 17th when the regular price of $30 kicks in. Want to further your rewards? Refer friends to sign up using your unique link and earn an exclusive goodie basket. Registrants who refer 5 or more friends get a basket containing a Downtown Greens beer glass, a limited edition "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker, a Downtown Greens magnet, and a pollinators bandana. The person with the most referrals will also receive a jar of Downtown Greens' honey! Make it sweeter: sign up as a race team and everyone on the team will receive a "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker. Ready to sign up? Use the link below! https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Fredericksburg/DowntownGreensFunRun

Pete Morelewicz knows what time it is!

Pete knows his latest masterpiece can wait because it is TIME! Time for the 3rd Annual Downtown Runaround! This virtual 5k helps raise funds to keep us doing our thing! (Which is a good thing.) Since it's virtual that means you can complete your 5k at your own time and move in your own way! Run, walk, bike, skip, hop, jump, roller skate, it's all good for the Downtown Runaround! You have from March 4th-18th to get the 5k complete! Not sure what route to take? Stay tuned for our suggested route that will take you by many fabulous downtown businesses including some of our sponsors! Sign up early to secure your amazing swag bag and to lock in the early bird rate of only $25! If signing up early is not in the stars for you, have no fear! Sign up will stay open through the last day of the race! Early bird pricing ends February 17th when the regular price of $30 kicks in. Want to further your rewards? Refer friends to sign up using your unique link and earn an exclusive goodie basket. Registrants who refer 5 or more friends get a basket containing a Downtown Greens beer glass, a limited edition "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker, a Downtown Greens magnet, and a pollinators bandana. The person with the most referrals will also receive a jar of Downtown Greens' honey! Make it sweeter: sign up as a race team and everyone on the team will receive a "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker. Ready to sign up? Use the link below! https://runsignup.com/.../Fredericks.../DowntownGreensFunRun

President of the Board, Brad Smith, knows what time it is!

It's okay to doze off, Brad, just don't forget to set your alarm because it is TIME! Time for the 3rd Annual Downtown Runaround! This virtual 5k helps raise funds to keep us doing our thing! (Which is a good thing.) Since it's virtual that means you can complete your 5k at your own time and move in your own way! Run, walk, bike, skip, hop, jump, roller skate, it's all good for the Downtown Runaround! You have from March 4th-18th to get the 5k complete! Not sure what route to take? Stay tuned for our suggested route that will take you by many fabulous downtown businesses including some of our sponsors! Sign up early to secure your amazing swag bag and to lock in the early bird rate of only $25! If signing up early is not in the stars for you, have no fear! Sign up will stay open through the last day of the race! Early bird pricing ends February 17th when the regular price of $30 kicks in. Want to further your rewards? Refer friends to sign up using your unique link and earn an exclusive goodie basket. Registrants who refer 5 or more friends get a basket containing a Downtown Greens beer glass, a limited edition "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker, a Downtown Greens magnet, and a pollinators bandana. The person with the most referrals will also receive a jar of Downtown Greens' honey! Make it sweeter: sign up as a race team and everyone on the team will receive a "I Brake for Pollinators" sticker. Ready to sign up? Use the link below! https://runsignup.com/.../Fredericks.../DowntownGreensFunRun