The Trinity Native Plant Learning Garden:
A Zen Natives Demonstration
Inspiration and Beauty in Nature
Zen Natives and TUMC Collaboration
Zen Natives initiated a partnership with Trinity United Methodist Church (TUMC) in spring 2025 to transform the underused Victory Garden into a vibrant Texas Native demonstration garden. The Victory Garden had suffered following the COVID-19 pandemic and required a renewed sense of purpose for the community.
With approval from the TUMC Board, Zen Natives began work that spring, revitalizing the beds and installing native flora. The garden is maintained weekly by Zen Natives Landscaping and is open to all.
Though still developing, the garden's next phase will introduce educational signage and materials to complete its transition into a full community resource. This collaboration will successfully showcase the benefits of Texas native plants and sustainable landscaping for the entire community.
TUMC Victory Garden History
The Trinity Victory Garden was built in the spring of 2010 by members of Trinity UMC and a team of young engineers from Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants.
The garden was built to:
1) give the congregation an opportunity to grow food for the hungry;
2) connect with the community, and
3) gain a better appreciation of the many references to growing the Lord gives us in scripture.
The congregation worked hard for several seasons to produce more than 7,800 lbs of vegetables that were donated to the San Antonio Food Bank. A team of adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities also helped grow food for the community during the COVID years. The garden was quite a blessing.
TUMC looks forward to serving neighbors by growing herbs in the center empty garden beds. Fresh herbs and spices are key ingredients in ethnic cooking. Freely sharing the fresh herbs would build community with immigrant families in the neighborhood.
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