At Amelia Street Urban Forest, we’re always looking for creative ways to share the beauty and importance of native plants and healthy ecosystems with our community. This fall, we had the wonderful opportunity to showcase our work in two unique ways at the Virginia State Fair: through a vibrant native plant bouquet and by participating in the hands-on Soil Your Undies Challenge.
Native Plants in Bloom: A Bouquet for the Fair
Native plants are not only essential for pollinators and wildlife — they’re also stunning in the vase. To highlight their beauty, we created a cut flower arrangement using only native species from our urban forest space. The bouquet featured the diverse colors, textures, and forms that Virginia’s flora has to offer: from delicate asters and goldenrod to bold native grasses and seed pods.
The arrangement reminded fair visitors that gardening with natives isn’t just about ecology — it’s also about aesthetics. These plants can be just as show-stopping in a bouquet as in the garden, proving that native landscaping and beauty go hand in hand.
Soil Your Undies: Digging Into Soil Health
In addition to highlighting what grows above ground, we wanted to showcase what’s happening below the surface. That’s where the Soil Your Undies Challenge comes in!
This quirky but powerful citizen science project involves burying a pair of cotton underwear in the soil and digging them up weeks later. The more decomposition you see, the healthier and more biologically active the soil is.
When we unearthed our undies, they were still fairly intact. This gave us pause — a sign that our soil health may not be as biologically active as we’d like. It’s a reminder to reflect on what practices we can put into place to continue improving soil vitality.
At the same time, it was also a celebration of the resilience of native plants. Despite less-than-ideal soil conditions, they are still thriving and bringing beauty and life to Amelia Street Urban Forest. Their adaptability reminds us of the importance of planting species that are deeply connected to our local ecosystem.
Why This Matters
Both the bouquet and the challenge send a bigger message: healthy ecosystems start with healthy soil and resilient native plants. By showcasing our work at the State Fair, we’re inviting more people to see how nature thrives when we nurture it, even in the heart of the city.
Our hope is that others walk away inspired — whether that’s planting a native wildflower patch, adding a tree to their yard, or simply appreciating the soil beneath their feet.
Join Us in Growing Together
At Amelia Street Urban Forest, we’re building community through conservation. We invite you to join us at upcoming work days, volunteer events, and planting opportunities. Together, we can continue to restore, protect, and celebrate this green oasis in Richmond.
Stay tuned for updates on our next planting day — and maybe another creative experiment or two! 🌱✨
