Projects
AgMagic on the River at Docville Farm
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AgMagic on the River is a program of the LSU AgCenter that introduces students, grades 3-6 to agriculture in Louisiana. Held at Docville Farms, students walk through exhibits pertaining to entomology, fisheries, forestry, horticulture and much more. The event is free. This project needs volunteers to serve all positions of this week-long event. The 2020 dates are May 4-9.
LSU AgCenter Leader: Anna Timmerman |
Algiers Behrman Community Garden
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The Algiers Behrman Community Garden (ABC Garden) is a charming little garden on oak lined Opelousas Avenue in New Orlean’s second oldest neighborhood, Historic Algiers Point.
Visitors will find fruit trees and muscadine vines, sugar cane, mirliton, lemongrass borders, a ginger and turmeric patch and lots more in the community spaces. We have a wonderful collection of native plants, many host plants to precious pollinators. Located on our front fence is the Algiers Point Free Lil Pantry…a perfect place to share abundance from the garden! The ABC Garden is in an expansion phase, building additional raised beds that will afford more ergonomically friendly opportunities to gardeners. Volunteer opportunities include reading for Garden Story Time, collaborating with nearby schools, scheduling educational opportunities, creating signs and/or art installations, assisting with communications and social media, facilitating our Citizen Scientist Kid’s Project, joining our Compost Committee, promoting neighborhood outreach, organizing volunteers and helping with our Pollinator Project, as well as maintenance, propagation and other tasks. All tools are provided. Bring your own gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, water, and snacks. We look forward to seeing you in the garden! 615 Opelousas Ave. New Orleans, LA 70114 |
Audubon Zoo
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A small team from the Master Gardener Class of 2008 began this project of helping to maintain and refurbish the Butterfly Circle Garden in Audubon Zoo. Since then, we revisit monthly during the growing season to assist Horticultural Director Diane Weber with various areas of the zoo’s landscape. To be notified of future work dates at the zoo, contact Audubon Zoo Project Leader. 6500 Magazine St. NOLA Regular meeting: generally 2nd Mondays, starting 9 am in cool months, 8 am in warmer months. Contact project leader before coming! |
Butterfly & Hummingbird Gardens at NOBG
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These gardens have been maintained by a reliable and knowledgeable group for years – tucked away behind the Lathe House and NOBG Study Center Join the Project Leader and her group to learn and continue this historical garden momentum. For more info contact Butterfly Gardens Project Leader. Regular meeting: Tuesdays 9 am to noon |
Centennial Park Butterfly Garden in Gretna
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Directly across from the Gretna Branch Public Library, Centennial Park is a newer Jefferson Parish Library Park. The Centennial Park Butterfly Garden Project will install and maintain butterfly host and nectar plants in existing garden beds. Educational signage and self-guided tour materials are planned. Once the flowerbeds are reasonably established and labeled, community outreach to schools and other organizations serving youth will begin. Educational materials, such as butterfly life cycle diagrams, will also be made available at the library. Join this project to garden and also to reach out to young people by contacting the Centennial Park Project Leader.
Regular meetings and work dates are held as needed, several times a year. |
Cold Bed Gardens at NOBG
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Master Gardeners in conjunction with the LSU Ag Center manage nine cold frame beds at the New Orleans Botanical Gardens for the purpose of producing trial plantings of various edibles. Harvested produce will be used to augment the NOBG culinary kitchen. For more information contact Cold Bed Gardens Project Leader. Regular meeting: Thursday 9 am to noon |
Federal City Community Garden
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This Westbank project is located at Federal City on the former Naval Support Activity – New Orleans military base in Algiers. Master Gardeners maintain vegetable and herb demonstration beds, provide hands-on gardening activities and assist the Federal City military families and Westbank residents who participate as growers in the community garden. Bi-Annual Garden Clean Up Days are held in the Spring and the Fall. To volunteer contact the project leader: Federal City Community Garden Project Leader. Federal City Community Garden – on Guadalcanal St. between Carmick and Savage Streets in Algiers; Regular meeting: none. You may volunteer at your convenience. |
Gretna Farmers Market
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In an effort to distribute LSU AgCenter’s horticultural research and general gardening information to the public, MGGNO volunteers take turns manning display tables at the Gretna Farmers Market. Market visitors visit our tables to ask gardening questions and get AgCenter information. This is easy and enjoyable volunteer activity where you can share your gardening knowledge with each other and the public. Contact: Gretna Farmers Market Project Leader 300 blk Huey P. Long Ave. Gretna LA Regular meeting: 2nd Saturdays, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Please contact coordinator before coming! |
Historic Train Garden at NOBG
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Educating and entertaining park visitors with miniature replicas of homes and cultivated gardens of 1930’s New Orleans, and the train that serviced the city. Regular meeting: Tuesdays and Fridays, 7-9 am. Contact: Historic Train Garden Project Leader |
Lasalle Park
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LaSalle Park has been designated as an LSU AgCenter Display Garden and a Louisiana Master Gardener (LMG)/MGGNO Project where LMG/MGGNO members can come to volunteer weekly. Volunteers have been planting a variety of vegetables year-round with educational labels for park visitors. LaSalle Park is a popular place for residents of Metairie and the surrounding areas. It offers a walking path, urban forest nature trail and sports fields. 6600 Airline Drive, Metairie, LA70003 Regular meetings: Wednesday 9 am to noon – Please contact the LaSalle Park Project Manager to verify they are working that day. |
Latter Library
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The Master Gardeners of Greater New Orleans participates in a coalition of groups that are designing and maintaining the Latter Library grounds. MGGNO is responsible for the oval garden, which is defined by the concrete border of an abandoned fountain. MGGNO has made a 10-year commitment to this area. The current planting is a mixture of annuals and perennials. Plant labels provide an educational component. There is not yet a regular work schedule of Master Gardeners for the oval garden, but weeding is always welcome. Contact project leader for more information: Latter Library Project Leader 5120 St. Charles Ave. NOLA – oval garden Regular meeting: none; Need volunteers Feb-March to clean up winter damage |
Longue Vue House and Gardens
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Have a great time and learn a lot while helping a National Historic Landmark! Join fellow St Tammany and Greater New Orleans Master Gardeners in sustaining and maintaining Longue Vue’s historic gardens and/or acting as garden docents. Contact Amy Graham at agraham@longuevue.com for training opportunities.Walking Garden Guides will walk and engage with children and their chaperones (mostly school groups) through the garden with focus on the Wild Garden (native plants and critters). Groups are maximum 50 students. The kids are super fun, curious, and happy to be in nature!
Stationary Garden Guides will be stationary in a part of the garden and deliver information about that garden to large groups. These groups are 50-300 people, usually from out- of- town. It’s very fast-paced and exciting! This is perfect for a volunteer who prefers to sit down while volunteering. Volunteer projects in the gardens will include weeding, raking, planting, mulching, pruning, propagation and other diverse horticultural tasks. All tools are provided. Bring your own gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, water, snacks and sense of humor. Contact Dave Maher, fellow Louisiana Master Gardener and Longue Vue’s Lead Garden Volunteer at davemaher51@gmail.com. To learn more about Longue Vue, go to www.longuevue.com. Work Day is every Thursday 8:30 – 12:00. |
LA Irises – Multi-Site
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– Bestoff Sculpture Garden, NOMA, – Longue Vue, – The Island, – Hammond Research Station. Volunteers meet on the Third Tuesdays at one of the above sites. Contact Iris Project Leader for more information. |
LA Super Plants/Enabling Garden Project, NOMA
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LA Super Plant Project is in a raised demonstration garden by the back gate entrance to the original Sculpture Garden. MGGNO volunteers are educated about maintenance of plants by weeding, mulching, fertilizing, deadheading and planting seasonal Super Plants. Observers are educated about the many different types of LA Super Plants and why they’re designated as suc Please contact project leader for details: Super Plants Project Leader. Regular meeting: Tuesdays Tuesdays 8:45am to noon. |
LSU Ag/Delgado Greenhouse
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In a joint venture between the LSU Ag Center and Delgado Community College, the Master Gardeners grow out plant starts to support MGGNO projects throughout the area, as well as to supply area school gardens with plants. They will also maintain an outdoor garden area which contains fruit trees, flowers and some native plants. Please contact project leader for details: delgado_greenhouse_project@mggno.com. Summer work hours are Nell’s Natives on Tuesdays 9-11, and Lydia’s Crew on Fridays 8-11. |
Marais Garden
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Garden on Marais is an agricultural gathering space that provides educational opportunities and facilitates access to nutrient-rich foods. Elan Ministries Inc, neighbors, and friends began building this space in 2010. Today the property hosts a rain water catchment system, a hoop house for seed starting, a brood of hens, big and little humans, and lots of happy plants!Saturday mornings we host a 4H club. Through our 4-H Club we are engaging and educating the children and youth of the greater New Orleans community in the scope of health, urban gardening, and stewardship.
Volunteers help with garden maintenance, seasonal planning and planting and assisting with our 4H club. We are looking for guest teachers to teach our 4H club members on topics that they are passionate about related to gardening and overall well-being. In addition, we are looking for a worm farmer! Please contact project leader for details: Marais Garden Project Leader. |
Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies Learning Garden
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The Metairie Academy for Advanced Studies (MAAS) Learning Garden is a 480 square foot pollinator and vegetable garden established to provide an educational resource for the Metairie Academy school and to create a connection to our community. Led by fellow MGGNOs, our goal is to teach our students to be stewards of the environment, and become knowledgeable about where their food originates and the resources involved. Our garden is a “do no harm” garden, which means we do no harm to any insects or animals that visit our garden. It is a place to observe and learn about the natural process of plants and their pollinators. Volunteer needs include teaching and interacting with students, various gardening chores and propagating.Please contact project leader for details: MAAS Garden Project Leader. |
Natives
 Newly renovated ‘bog’ garden full of natives at the N.O. Jazz Museum in the Old Mint. |
Native and ‘nativar’ gardens are being installed, managed and discussed by Master Gardeners as educational sites to show how native plants can be easily incorporated into urban gardens, and WHY it’s so important. Tour guides, docents, MGGNO Speakers, LSU Ag Agents and National Park Rangers are using the plantings and their benefits as part of their narratives for tours and presentations. Signage is included where possible.The Lafitte Welcome Center, Dutch Alley, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum are the current downtown sites. The New Canal Basin Lighthouse is another garden, part of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. City Park’s Big Lake is now being renovated with native gardens and some local church gardens are being layered with native plants, all grown in the Delgado Greenhouse, where over 40 native plant species are being cultivated. Gardens need monthly visits to be sure plants are in good health, and signage remains correct and current. These are public places, so thick leather or rubber gloves are required. Each of these venues receive hundreds of visitors daily, so our presence is appreciated and touted. Volunteer hours are available in the greenhouse on Tuesday mornings, and on sites.
Contact Natives project leader for more information. |
Pelican Greenhouse at NOBG
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Master Gardeners propagate plants in the Pelican Greenhouse and also staff monthly plant sales. This is one of our longest running volunteer projects. For more information on VOLUNTEERING only contact Project Leader: Pelican Greenhouse Project Leader.
Just off Henry Thomas (Golf) Drive south of the I-610 underpass in City park |
Second Harvesters
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2nd Harvesters and MGGNO have a positive community impact growing and bringing local produce into the community, while helping the 2nd Harvesters procure fresh food in their food bank, and providing educational/outreach opportunities for the general public.For more information on volunteering contact Project Leader: Second Harvesters Project Leader. |
Spring & Fall Garden Shows
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The Master Gardeners provide all the volunteers for the LSU AgCenter Spring Garden Show and the NOBG Fall Festival at the New Orleans Botanical Garden. We have Spring Garden Show co-chairs but are seeking cochairs for the Fall show. Please contact Garden Show Project Leader if you are interested in chairing the Fall Garden Show. New Orleans Botanical Garden, 1 Palm Drive, in City Park |
Vegetable Garden at NOBG
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This project involves maintaining several beds in the vegetable garden as well as the Kitchen Garden bed. Members meet on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 8am. Please contact project leader for more information: Vegetable garden Project Leader. |
Winter & Summer Symposiums
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Our half-day 2018 Winter Symposium, “Let it Rain … Living with Water in our Louisiana Landscapes”, highlighted the wise use of the bountiful rainfall in our backyards and ways to counteract the effects of storm water in our community. On Feb. 9th, our 2019 Winter Symposium, “Low Maintenance Landscaping with Local Heirloom and Native Plants”, will feature growing low-maintenance plants that the experts recommend for gardens in Greater New Orleans area. Contact Symposium Project Leader if you are interested in volunteering. |