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The edible courtyard is available spring through fall for anyone to walk through and harvest fresh produce and herbs. Larger planting events occur early spring, late spring/early summer and late summer/early fall. Garden clean up and winter prep occurs late fall before the first frost of the year. In addition to plantings weekly maintenance and harvesting is done all season long. We welcome the community to volunteer at our larger planting events or sign up to complete garden maintenance/harvesting on your own time.
This space serves not only as a source for fresh produce but also as an outdoor learning classroom. Through our work with A Backyard Farm volunteers can learn about planting, harvesting and garden maintenance.
If you are interested in volunteering to help plant and maintain the garden please contact us.
2021 Plantings:
Spinach, microgreens, arugula, collard greens, leeks, cucumbers, acorn squash, sweet potatoes, radish, fennel, pole beans, bush beans, snow peas, shelling peas eggplant, green onions, chives, a variety of tomato and pepper plants, rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, basil, cilantro, carrots and bok choy.
Edible Courtyard at the Crystal Community Center History
In the summer of 2018 we created an Edible Courtyard outside the busy Crystal Community Center. The goal of the courtyard is to provide access to healthy food for residents and visitors free of charge. The motto of the courtyard is “take what you need, and leave the rest.”
Throughout the first growing season many families and individuals were seen in the edible courtyard picking fresh vegetables and herbs. Cucumbers, zucchini, eggplant, and green beans were a few examples of the produce that visitors were encouraged to sample and take home.
The courtyard is also a wonderful education venue. As you search through the garden you will find out what is in the garden, as well as how to plant it, pick it and prepare it.