Gardens & Gardening
Gardens are much more than just beautiful outdoor spaces—they are living, complex, biodiverse ecosystems that support everything from microscopic organisms to amphibians to birds to mammals.
Mass Audubon strives to educate people of all ages about the many ways they can make their own gardens, backyards, farms, and fields safer and more welcoming to wildlife. By using organic, nature-friendly gardening practices, even the smallest patch of dirt can become an oasis for thousands of species.
Visit a Demonstration Garden
Many of our wildlife sanctuaries have specially managed gardens designed to support wildlife, help manage stormwater runoff, or provide community gardening space.
Allens Pond, Dartmouth and Westport
Find a pollinator garden certified MonarchWatch.org waystation as well as a sensory garden along their All Persons Trail. Visit Allens Pond
Boston Nature Center, Mattapan
Find a butterfly garden, the Boston Food Forest Coalition's food forest, and the Clark Cooper Community Gardens—the largest and oldest community garden in Boston. Visit Boston Nature Center
Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester
Find a butterfly, bird, and rain gardens that provide food and shelter while improving water quality. Visit Broad Meadow Brook
Drumlin Farm, Lincoln
Find several wildlife garden areas, including the gardens at the front entrance and the Mass Audubon Shop with native perennials. Visit Drumlin Farm
Habitat, Belmont
As part of a Mass Audubon initiative called “Nature by the Yard” stemming from our goal to reduce the loss of biodiversity, the 1,500 square foot grassy courtyard at Habitat is undergoing a transformation. Learn more about this project and how to visit
Ipswich River, Topsfield
Find a butterfly garden and a bird habitat garden. Visit Ipswich River
Felix Neck, Edgartown
Find a butterfly garden, bird garden, and a garden with scented plants believed to have mosquito-repelling properties. Visit Felix Neck
Long Pasture, Barnstable
Find a butterfly mosaic trail, which is a series of native wildflower plots along a trail through open fields. Visit Long Pasture
Moose Hill, Sharon
Find a small native plant garden and a larger bird garden, both alive with birds, butterflies, and insects. Visit Moose Hill
North River, Marshfield
Find several specialty gardens, including a native plant garden and a rain garden with native plants. Visit North River
Stony Brook, Norfolk
Find a butterfly garden that's managed by the Garden Club of Norfolk. Visit Stony Brook
Wellfleet Bay, South Wellfleet
Find a large pollinator and wildlife garden with plants to feed birds, bees, and butterflies, as well as a native bee "hotel." Visit Wellfleet Bay
Boston Nature Center Community Garden
Plant yourself among the largest and oldest community garden in Boston.
Canoe Meadows Community Garden
Nestled among mountains, this community garden boasts itself as, "the most scenic place to plant a garden in the Berkshires."
Habitat Education Center Community Garden
This garden gets some help weeding by our resident goat herd!
Upcoming Farm & Garden Programs
See moreCSA Fall Half Share
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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln
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10 distributions starting
Wednesday, September 11
12:00-6:00pm
Adults
CSA Fall Full Share
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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln
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10 distributions starting
Wednesday, September 11
12:00-5:00pm
Adults
Harvesting and Pickling
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Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattapan
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Saturday, September 21
10:30am-12:00pm
Adults
Latest News
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Don't miss a beat on all the ways you can get outdoors, celebrate nature, and get involved.