Growing Garden in a Box

Volunteers and children from the Midway Y day-care program helped set up a large garden at the Y in 2013.
Volunteers and children from the Midway Y day-care program helped set up a large garden at the Y in 2013.

One of the Minnesota State Horticulture Society’s most successful programs over the past few years has been Garden in a Box, which gives low-income gardeners the tools they need to grow their own food.

The program began with a volunteer’s idea in 2008, and has grown steadily each year. Its expanded from the Twin Cities to include gardeners in Duluth and Red Wing, too. In 2013, MSHS provided more than 300 garden kits. The Garden-in-a-Box kit includes a raised-bed garden box or bag, soil, vegetable plants, fencing, an informational packet on vegetable gardening and a class on beginning gardening along with other educational materials.

Vegetables grow very well in the garden boxes. Many gardeners grow enough to share with friends.
Vegetables grow very well in the garden boxes. Many gardeners grow enough to share with friends.

In 2013, more than 1,700 children and adults benefited from the kits, learning about growing their own food and enjoying the produce they’ve grown. The kits are distributed through non-profits and schools at no cost to the program participants.

In 2014, MSHS hopes to distribute even more garden kits. We’re also adding a new service:  MSHS staff and expert garden mentors will make site visits and help with any problems that have arisen, giving advice and receiving updates on how the garden is progressing.

MSHS has been very fortunate to find partners as excited as we are to introduce people to the skills of gardening and the joys of growing your own food.

To help support the Garden in a Box program, please make a donation at the MSHS GIve to the Max page.