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Celebration Garden Logo

Welcome to St. Matthew's Celebration Garden, a flourishing oasis in Sterling, Virginia, where fresh, organic produce and vibrant flowers are cultivated to spread the love of God throughout the community.

What sets us apart is our dedication to giving back. The heart of our garden beats with collaboration, led by Heidi Lathrop and supported by community volunteers as well as Boy and Girl Scout groups. These volunteer groups actively participate in gardening lessons, planting guidance, and maintenance during the summer months. The harvest from these efforts consistently benefits the LINK Against Hunger food pantry every week throughout the growing season.

Join us in cultivating a sense of community and giving back to those in need. Explore our gallery and history below to witness the transformative journey of our garden, from its humble beginnings to the vibrant, giving space it is today.

To learn more or inquire about volunteering, contact Heidi at garden@stmtts.org. Let's know and share God's love through this beautiful garden ministry.

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CELEBRATION GARDEN HISTORY

2013 Garden Transformation

Established in 2013, our journey began with the transformation of a dying rose garden into a thriving space for vegetables and flowers.

RoseGarden 2013
2013 Rose Garden 2

2015 Raised Bed Revolution

Faced with challenges like weeds and poor drainage in 2015, we decided to build raised beds, setting the stage for the expansion of the garden in 2016.

2015 Raised Beds
2015 Raised Beds 3

2016 Hot Sauce & Expansion

The birth of Celebration Garden Hot Sauce became the catalyst, prompting us to secure funding and plan the expansion to grow organic produce for food pantries. 

2016 Garden Hot Sauce is Born_edited_edi
2016 Garden Hot Sauce is Born 3

2017 Scout Collaboration Begins

In 2017, with seed money in hand, we collaborated with Scouts to construct the garden, kickstarting a series of Eagle Projects a well as Girl Scout Take Action Projects.  VIEW HERE

2016 specs for scout projects
Celebration Garden Volunteers.jpg

2021 Mosaic & Little Free Library

In 2021, a new chapter unfolded with the installation of a Little Free Library, a beautiful hand-crafted mosaic by Mylene Nyam, and a pollinator habitat (GS Troop 2654), showcasing the diverse ecological impact of our garden.

Celebration Garden Front.jpg
Pollinator Celebration Garden.jpg

2022 Pergola Installation

Our beautiful pergola was constructed and donated by Solid Work Construction providing some shade and a variety of seating options for the garden including swings and a hammock.

Pergola_ Construction donated by Solid Work Contracting, April 30, 2022
Pergola_ Construction donated by Solid Work Contracting, April 30, 2022 2

2023 Flourishing Flower Ministry

In 2023, we added a cut flower ministry to the garden, growing and donating over 1,500 pounds of fresh, organic produce, and distributing 247 flower bouquets.

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BOY & GIRL SCOUT PROJECT INSTALLATIONS

Celebration Garden Sterling Virginia Eagle Scout Project

March 2017: Joe Shangraw (Troop 956)

Perimeter cedar raised garden beds.​

Eagle Project #2_ Wyatt Sherwood_ Troop 956, April 2017, arbors & gates into garden

April 2017: Wyatt Sherwood (Troop 956)

Arbors & gates into the garden.

Eagle Project #3_ Alex Bates_ Troop 956, June 2018, compost bins

June 2018: Alex Bates
(Troop 956)

Compost bins.

Eagle Project #4_ Nick Rossiter_ Troop 956, July 2018, seating design on inner garden wall

July 2018: Nick Rossiter (Troop 956)

Seating design on inner garden walls.

Eagle Project #5_ Ethan Gramling_ troop 966, little free library  May 16, 2021
Eagle Project #5_ Ethan Gramling_ troop 966, little free library  May 16, 2021

May 16, 2021: Ethan Gramling (Troop 966)

Little Free Library.

Eagle Project #6_ Benjamin Levine_ Troop 966, tool shed, November 7, 2021 2
Eagle Project #6_ Benjamin Levine_ Troop 966, tool shed, November 7, 2021

November 7, 2021: Benjamin Levine (Troop 966)

Tool Shed.

Eagle Project #7_ Lars Nyman_ Troop 956, garden fencing September 2021
Eagle Project #7_ Lars Nyman_ Troop 956, garden fencing September 2021

September 2021: Lars Nyman (Troop 956)

Garden fencing.

Bat houses Girl Scout Troop 70091 (Katie Fair), October 13, 2021
Bat houses Girl Scout Troop 70091 (Katie Fair), October 13, 2021 2

October 2021
(Girl Scout Troop 7001)

Bat Houses installed.

Pollinator Hotel_ Girl Scout Troop 2654, May 2021

May 2021: Girl Scouts
(Troop 2654)

Pollinator Hotel

Eagle Project #8_ Benjamin Cantrall, Troop 673, Herndon (Table), April  30, 2022

April 30, 2022: Benjamin Cantrall (Troop 673)

Table.

Raised Garden Bed (Strawberry Patch), July 16, 2022

July 16, 2022: Alex Gonzalez (Troop 966)

Raised Garden Bed

(Strawberry Patch).

Cut Flower Ministry Flowerbeds
Cut Flower Ministry Flowerbeds 2

April 15, 2023: Timothy Hicks (Troop 966)

Cut Flower Ministry Flowerbeds (front & East side).

2023 Internal Raised Garden Beds
2023 Internal Raised Garden Beds 2

May 6, 2023: Joe Long
(Troop 966)

Three internal raised garden beds.

2023 May Elevated flower bed for Cut Flower ministry
Elevated flower bed for Cut Flower ministry 2

May 6, 2023: Jack Gibney (Troop 966)

Elevated flower bed for Cut Flower ministry.

2023 Raised Garden Beds Eagle Scout Project Nov
2023 Nov Raised Flower Beds Eagle Scout Project 2

November 18, 2023: Peter Dyson (Troop 966)

Cut Flower Garden expansion and fencing.

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