The Billings Farmstead Gardens

Opening in June, the new 8,000 square foot Billings Farmstead Gardens will feature:

• Five distinct gardens in one cohesive garden experience
• Paths, trellises, arches and tunnels which will create a sense of magic and wonder where you can explore, relax, learn, gather, and play
• A variety of gardening methods and techniques that can be used in home gardens

Heirloom Garden

Learn what was planted and maintained in a kitchen garden by the daughters of Farm Manager, George Aiken in the 1890’s. History meets local heritage with heirloom plants selected from an 1886 Billings Farm seed order, including Vermont varieties:  Bull Noes Peppers, Bear Paw Popcorn, and Tall Telephone Peas. 

Victory Garden

During WWI & WWII, food became scarce in the United States. With much of the population overseas fighting, few workers remained to care for the country’s farms. To solve this problem, the government encouraged citizens to plant “Victory Gardens” in their own backyards and in public places like parks and schools. By growing their own food, people took pressure off farms and the canning industry, whose metal went to support the war effort. By the end of WWI, over five million Victory Gardens existed in the U.S. During WWII that number rose to 18 million. Victory Gardens proved so successful that at one time they produced about 1/3 of the vegetables in this country.

 At Billings Farm, when many of the laborers went to war, the “Woman’s Land Army of Vermont” sent volunteers to work the farm. These “farmerettes” helped keep Billings Farm running during WWI. During WWII, the farm offered over 3 acres of land for people to plant their own Victory Gardens. Locals harvested food from over 40 plots on the farm.

Historic gardens of WWI (farmerettes) and WWII (Victory Gardens) are recreated in this area of our heirloom gardens.  You can observe the growing cycle of victory garden favorites. We will be growing: Sweet corn, lettuce, russet potatoes, onion, cucumbers, carrots, summer squash, green beans, parsnip, melons, cauliflower, kale, spinach, radishes, peas, beets, eggplant, okra, kohlrabi, swiss chard, pole beans, and broccoli.

Pollinator Garden

This garden invites bees, butterflies, birds, and beneficial insects to alight on perennial plants and flowers.

Learn about the importance of pollinators and see how you can build a bee houses, hummingbird feeders, Damp salt lick for butterflies and bees.  Learn to grow pollinator friendly plants like: bee balm, milkweed, butterfly bush, butterfly weed, oregano, borage, lavender, broccoli, fennel, nasturtium, honeysuckle, coral bells, mealy cup sage, and larkspur.

Permaculture Garden

This low-maintenance, self-caring garden mimics the balance and beneficial relationships found in nature through perennial plantings.

Chef’s & Pizza Gardens

Discover delicious ingredients for fresh, healthy, home-grown meals. Did you know you can find everything you need to make a pizza on a farm? The plants in this garden are all ingredients for the perfect pie. Wheat gets ground into flour for the crust, tomatoes become sauce, and herbs and veggies make for tasty toppings. Beyond the garden, see the fields of hay which feeds our cows. Their milk becomes delicious cheese—great for a pizza!  We will be growing wheat, tomatoes, oregano, basil, savory, bell peppers, onion, garlic (planted in the fall).

Herb Garden

This garden is filled with herbs for cooking, tea, and medicinal use in a mix of annuals and perennials. 

Garden Shed 

Seasonal gardening programs take place in and around the Garden Shed. Learn about the herbs, heirloom vegetables, and apples grown here and how they were preserved to last the winter.  Enjoy Herbal Tea Happy Hours or just lounging on our shaded Garden Shed porch.

Want to get involved? Help us sustain the gardens with a gift of support or by becoming a volunteer.