What is the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH)?
The Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) is a horticultural nonprofit based in Wilmington, Delaware, that describes its mission as connecting people, plants, and place to cultivate healthy people and thriving communities. If you live in or near Wilmington or New Castle County and are looking for a way to get involved in local greening efforts — planting trees, growing food, or revitalizing vacant land — DCH is the organization behind much of that work. It has operated since 1977 and frames its purpose around "the power of plants and people."
What DCH does
DCH positions itself as a connector rather than just a garden or a government program. Its stated focus areas are:
- Planting trees — leading greening efforts across Wilmington and New Castle County
- Growing food — supporting food-growing as part of community health
- Revitalizing vacant land — turning underused spaces into planted, productive places
- Bringing residents together — community participation is central to how the work gets done
The through-line is that plants are treated as a tool for community outcomes, not just landscaping. The tagline "Growing Community. Cultivating Change." reflects that framing.
Who it serves
DCH describes its work as serving Wilmington and New Castle County, Delaware. Its language emphasizes residents and communities rather than a single membership type, so the audience is broad: neighbors, volunteers, and anyone interested in local greening.
Ways to engage
The site's main navigation points to a few clear entry points:
| Section | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| Join The Community | Becoming part of DCH's network or programs |
| Support Our Cause | Donating or otherwise backing the work |
| Get To Know Us | Learning the organization's background |
| From Our Blog | Following programs and news |
One example of a program visible on the site is Branches to Chances®, a class-based initiative. A blog entry notes the Class of 2026 celebrated 6 graduates. That gives a sense of scale — these are cohort-style programs, not mass enrollments.
What to check before you act
The site references subscribing and supporting the cause, but the available information does not specify membership fees, program costs, or whether any activities are free. If cost matters to you, confirm directly rather than assuming. Similarly, volunteer requirements, eligibility for programs like Branches to Chances®, and current schedules are not detailed in the source material — check the relevant page or contact DCH before planning around a specific program.
Bottom line
DCH is a long-running Wilmington-area horticultural nonprofit focused on trees, food growing, vacant-land revitalization, and community involvement. If you want to plant, volunteer, or support local greening in New Castle County, its "Join The Community" and "Support Our Cause" sections are the natural starting points — but verify program details and any costs directly, since the site summary doesn't cover them.