Blooming Together: Breast Cancer Survivors Celebrate Life & Learn About Native Plants
Smyrna, Delaware – On Monday, July 8th, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s (DBCC) Nurture with Nature group joined forces with Homestead Gardens in Smyrna to educate local breast cancer survivors about native plants.
Nurture with Nature allows breast cancer survivors to come together and experience nature by hiking, kayaking, biking, horseback riding, astronomy, or simply walking through a forest or along a beach. Outings occur approximately once a month throughout all of Delaware. During the winter months, we host craft events such as baskets and jewelry making.
This month, participants learned the importance of planting local flora, like spotted bee balm and aster woods blue, for a thriving environment and ecosystem. They then created their own “Native Porch Plants” at Homestead Gardens.
The Nurture with Nature participants browsed eight rows of native plants and perennials, each selecting up to three quart-sized native plants to fill a prepped pot with potting soil.
Before potting, the group enjoyed delicious refreshments from Homestead Gardens’ Assistant Manager Ashley’s personal garden. Ashley’s creations, featuring fresh ingredients and herbs, cucumber sandwiches, and tasty bites included her famous Lavender Lemonade and Strawberry-Cucumber Spritzer, a welcome cool-down on a hot day.
As the group savored the food, Ashley shared fascinating details about Delaware’s native plants, emphasizing their beauty and ecological benefits. She encouraged embracing their unique characteristics for a more natural, ” little bit wild” garden. As one survivor Monica shared, “I truly have minimal to no clue about plants, I have to always rely on the experts. The entire team at Homestead were AWESOME! Very attentive, knowledgeable, and helpful with any questions”.
The event fostered a celebratory atmosphere. Survivors introduced themselves, sharing their years of survivorship. There was laughter among the leaves as participants bonded and created lasting memories, even amidst the summer heat. It was a heartwarming display of gratitude for life’s precious moments!
To learn more about DBCC’s Nurture with Nature program and to join their next adventure visit: https://debreastcancer.org/programs/nurture-with-nature/