New Education Garden coming to Benson Community Garden

Exciting changes are coming to the east side of the Benson Community Garden! We’re creating an Education Garden that will introduce the community to new ways of thinking about what can be grown in our city. This space will highlight alternatives that are more sustainable, require fewer resources, and thrive in our climate — all while challenging the traditional idea of what a garden is and what it could be.

The Benson Community Garden has always been about more than just renting plots. From the beginning, our mission has been to connect people with the land, teach skills, and build community. Starting next year, we’re taking that mission a step further by transforming the east side of the garden into an Education Garden — a space designed to change the way people think about gardening and what’s possible to grow here in Omaha.

Why an Education Garden?

Most people think of a garden as a place for tomatoes, peppers, or flowers. But there’s a whole world of native and lesser-known plants that thrive in our climate with little effort. These plants use fewer resources, require no pesticides, and are naturally adapted to Nebraska’s weather. More importantly, they expand our understanding of what a garden can be — not just a source of food, but a tool for resilience, sustainability, and inspiration.

What You’ll See

The Education Garden will showcase a variety of native fruits, nuts, and edible plants. Visitors will be able to explore options they may have never considered growing before, such as:

• Serviceberries

• Aronia berries

• Hazelnuts

• Pawpaws

• Elderberries

• Gooseberries

• Currants

These aren’t exotic imports — they are plants that belong here and flourish here. By highlighting them, we hope to inspire neighbors and visitors to plant alternatives that save money, support pollinators, and strengthen our local food system.