For the past decade, JMJ Gardens has quietly shaped landscapes throughout Newburyport, MA, cultivating outdoor spaces that feel rooted in the character of the town itself. We proudly source materials from local suppliers, collaborate with downtown retailers, and work closely with homeowners who care deeply about their properties.

That same commitment to community led us to donate our time and craftsmanship to create a volunteer garden — a shared space built not for profit, but for the people who live, work, and gather here.

Positioned at the busy junction of Spofford Street and Ferry Road, this site greets visitors on their way to Maudslay State Park—one of the most traveled corridors in Newburyport, MA. For years, the corner was little more than stubborn crabgrass and compacted, nutrient-poor soil where little would take root. Having worked extensively in this neighborhood for years, JMJ Gardens felt the city deserved an entrance filled with color, texture, and seasonal vitality rather than neglect. Something more welcoming and not forgotten.

In partnership with the Newburyport Park Alliance, we coordinated and installed the project entirely under volunteer conditions, transforming an overlooked intersection into a space that reflects the pride of the community it serves.

The transformation began beneath the surface. Years of neglect had left the ground littered with debris and exhausted soil that could no longer sustain healthy growth, so we excavated the area entirely to remove the compromised fill. In its place, we installed fresh compost loam to rebuild fertility and create a stable foundation for planting. The layout was carefully designed around the existing trees, which had been struggling for nutrients and air, allowing them room to recover and thrive.

All materials were sourced from local suppliers, and we used organic fertilizers and natural mulch to restore the soil responsibly. Boulders were thoughtfully placed throughout the space, introducing permanence and texture while anchoring the garden in a natural, coastal New England character.

For the plant palette, we focused on species that feel right at home in a New England garden — tough, seasonally beautiful, and beneficial to wildlife. We included native dogwoods to bring delicate spring blooms and summer structure, and evergreen junipers for year-round green and low maintenance. Ornamental grasses like switchgrass add movement and a soft textural backdrop in sun and wind. Bright blanket flower (Gaillardia) fills the space with long-lasting summer blooms that pollinators love, while lush azaleas provide bold color in spring and elegant foliage the rest of the season. Diervilla (bush honeysuckle) was chosen for its late-summer yellow blossoms and adaptability, and ninebark contributes striking bark texture and seasonal interest. A mix of viburnums rounds out the design with fragrant flowers and berries that attract birds and support local ecology.

Together these plants create a layered, resilient garden that thrives in our coastal climate and brings life to every season. 

Throughout the season, we continued tending the garden with the same care it was given on installation day — monitoring moisture, adjusting soil health, deadheading blooms, and guiding young plantings as they established. With each visit, the space felt more alive. What had once been a forgotten corner slowly became a place where people paused instead of passed through. Drivers rolled down their windows to offer thank yous. Neighbors stopped to talk. Families lingered before heading toward Maudslay State Park.

The garden began doing exactly what it was meant to do — inviting connection, pride, and a renewed sense of care at the entrance to Newburyport, MA.