Permaculture

Tricycle Gardens created its first permaculture installation in 2010 and currently has two active worksites located in the Greater Richmond area.  The first installation was established in 2010 at the Science Museum of Virginia and the second in development at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville.

Science Museum of Virginia’s “Green Acre”
Established in 2010 in partnership with the Science Museum of Virginia, this living classroom allows visitors to examine the ecological relationships between native food producing species, the micro climate of Richmond and the climatic and geological conditions of the James River Watershed.  Based on design principles from Toby Hemenway’s book, Gaia’s Garden and the works of Permaculture guru, Dave Jacke, we hope to model the sustainable methods of permaculture and support our fruit trees and shrubs with beneficial plants.  The goal of the permaculture garden is to inspire Richmond residents, and all museum visitors, with creative, perennial possibilities for producing fresh, abundant, low maintenance and delicious food within their own urban garden spaces.  The Green Acre garden plot is located behind the domed building of the Science Museum off Broad Street.

Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center’s “Healing & Community Garden”
Established in 2011 in partnership with the team at Bon Secours Richmond Health System to raise awareness of the importance of environment and provide a place of healing to the community.  The Healing and Community Garden will provide patients, their families and staff a place to relax and simply enjoy nature.  Fruit baring and edible plants are incorporated throughout the landscape to compliment other plants that appeal specifically to the senses of sight and smell. Fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in garden will be used for community health education and in nutritious meal preparation for patients.