The Flower & Vegetable Garden
Monthly Updates
What’s Growing On? Flower & Vegetable Garden Updates
The new Flower & Vegetable Garden will reimagine and restore the heart of The Garden at Newfields by recreating a vital piece of the historic and self-sustaining Oldfields estate into a vibrant and dynamic space for growth, learning, and engagement. Come get your hands dirty and learn about our progress each month as we build and plant. Construction, in partnership with Shiel Sexton, is now underway to enhance the garden experience for generations to come.
A warmer month allowed for more activity as we lay the groundwork for more conducive construction weather to come.
Did you know? We’re reusing giant limestone slabs that were once part of our old headhouse as the stable foundation for the compacted soil to become our gently graded wall. We’re enabling guests to safely access a beautiful vista above the entire Flower & Vegetable garden.
Truck loads of plants just arrived. Many of these are rare and unusual perennials that are tricky to source. We’re bringing these on behind-the-scenes as we plan for an early fall planting and allow for any weather delays that might occur in summer.
Continuing to prep fall plantings. Horticulturist Marian Keith, with help from the whole Horticulture team, will begin collaborating with our construction partners to plant wherever possible in outlying areas.
Excavating the basement and forming and pouring footings. Keep an eye out for walls eventually coming up.
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What’s Growing On? Flower & Vegetable Garden Updates
The new Flower & Vegetable Garden will reimagine and restore the heart of The Garden at Newfields by recreating a vital piece of the historic and self-sustaining Oldfields estate into a vibrant and dynamic space for growth, learning, and engagement. Come get your hands dirty and learn about our progress each month as we build and plant. Construction, in partnership with Shiel Sexton, is now underway to enhance the garden experience for generations to come.
Work on the dry detention (drainage) area at the north end of the service drive
Electrical and plumbing conduits placed under Greenhouse sidewalk west entrance.
Successfully relocated fiber box on north end of existing headhouse (the work center for the Greenhouse)
Pour decorative, durable concrete pathway on west side of Greenhouse
Excavate basement and pour foundation
Excavate and install stone to create dry detention (drainage) area at the north end of the service drive
Image Credits:
What’s Growing On? Flower & Vegetable Garden Updates
The new Flower & Vegetable Garden will reimagine and restore the heart of The Garden at Newfields by recreating a vital piece of the historic and self-sustaining Oldfields estate into a vibrant and dynamic space for growth, learning, and engagement. Come get your hands dirty and learn about our progress each month as we build and plant. Construction, in partnership with Shiel Sexton, is now underway to enhance the garden experience for generations to come.
Aerial drone view (taken February 2026)
Preconstruction meetings completed with structural steel and waterproofing engineers
Weather delays provided an opportunity to work through challenges
Basement Excavation and underground plumbing
Basement footings to be poured
Grotto underground plumbing and electric
Image Credits:
What’s Growing On? Flower & Vegetable Garden Updates
The new Flower & Vegetable Garden will reimagine and restore the heart of The Garden at Newfields by recreating a vital piece of the historic and self-sustaining Oldfields estate into a vibrant and dynamic space for growth, learning, and engagement. Come get your hands dirty and learn about our progress each month as we build and plant. Construction, in partnership with Shiel Sexton, is now underway to enhance the garden experience for generations to come.
Storm piping before installation
On-site work planning is underway and more contractors are beginning to mobilize.
Soil Proctor Compaction Testing completed. This ensures the soil is compacted just right (not too loose/dense) for healthy roots and stability over time.
Preconstruction meetings completed with Electrician, Plumber, Concrete, and Landscaping contractors.
Basement excavation
Footings to be poured for the basement
Underground plumbing for the basement and grotto
Underground electric for the grotto
Image Credits:
What’s Growing On? Flower & Vegetable Garden Updates
The new Flower & Vegetable Garden will reimagine and restore the heart of The Garden at Newfields by recreating a vital piece of the historic and self-sustaining Oldfields estate into a vibrant and dynamic space for growth, learning, and engagement. Come get your hands dirty and learn about our progress each month as we build and plant. Construction, in partnership with Shiel Sexton, is now underway to enhance the garden experience for generations to come.
Initial drone flight captured site overview (photograph above). Look out for these regular images as we transform the former parking lot area.
Contractor Scope Review Meetings being completed, contracts are being awarded, and pre-construction meetings are beginning to mobilize contractors.
Install erosion control
Demolish parking lot, Pergola, sidewalks, railings, etc.
Stockpile retaining wall stone
Excavate the site
Deliver storm structures on site
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Breaking Ground:
November 18, 2025
Friends, donors, and Newfields leaders gathered to celebrate the official groundbreaking for what will be come a reimagined Flower & Vegetable Garden.
Caption: Left to right: Rosie Steinmetz (Newfields Board of Trustee member), Craig Pelusey (Shiel Sexton Project Manager II), Le Monte Booker (Newfields President & CEO), Jonathan Wright (Newfields’ Ruth Lilly Director of The Garden and Fairbanks Park), and Anne Sellers (Chair of Newfields Board of Trustees)
Notable News from the Groundbreaking
IBJ | Newfields to replace parking lot with $10 Million Garden
Fox59 | Newfields breaks ground on new flower, vegetable garden
