New space at Duke Gardens features organic vegetable beds, an orchard, chicken coop and more

The Charlotte Brody Discovery Garden features organic vegetable beds, an orchard, fruiting shrubs and vines, a reconstructed tobacco barn, a rain garden, a chicken coop, cold frames for winter planting, outdoor classroom space, and two cisterns that can hold more than 7,000 gallons of rainwater.

The garden, named after an early and avid organic gardener, was dedicated in May. A grand opening for the public is scheduled in September. It’s located in what used to be a field between the Page-Rollins White Garden (behind the Doris Duke Center) and Lewis Street.

According to a press release, Brody’s daughters, Marilyn Brody Lane, Marsha Brody Shiff and Hynda Brody Dalton, donated the funds to build the garden, along with Shiff’s son, Daniel S. Shiff. The Burpee Foundation provided additional funds to help build the Burpee Learning Center, a tobacco barn rebuilt from two historic barns donated by Larry Daniel, former associate director of Duke Gardens.

The grand opening weekend celebration is set for Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 and will include a lecture by Frances Mayes, author of "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "The Tuscan Sun Cookbook." There will also be other workshops, demonstrations and activities for kids.

I'll have more about that as we get closer to the date. I'm looking forward to checking it out!