The Youth Farm Project is proud to introduce our Community U-Pick Garden! ​

This is our offering to the community: delicious vegetables, herbs for cooking & medicine, and flowers to decorate your homes and shrines. This U-pick is open in the Summer & Fall for low income folks and BIPOC folks in our local community to harvest from. This garden is a place for community education and access to the plants. The ability to move in this space as you want in search for joy, play, plant wisdom, and nourishment are welcome!

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How it works!

 When the U-Pick is open someone in our team will help coordinate the harvests, tools and chat with folks about the plants. Summer 2022: tomatoes, greens, okra, ground cherries, tomatillos, mixed herbs like parsley, sweet basil, lemon grass, hot peppers and a bunch of beautiful flowers. We are also growing medicinal and tea herbs such as tulsi and calendula!

​Summer: Community U-pick Garden Open Hours M-F 8 am - 3 pm and Sundays all day!

Info about the Herb Garden Plant Friends

Borage (Borago officinalis)
Parts used: Leaf, flower, seed
Preparations: Food, tea, infused oil, tincture in small doses only
Contraindications: Borage contains alkaloids that are harmful in large doses or with chronic ingestion

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) 
Parts used: All aerial parts
Preparations: Food, tea, honey, vinegar, oil, tincture
Contraindications: none

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Parts used: Flowers
Preparations: Tea, oil, tincture, food
Contraindications: none

Culinary sage (Salvia officinalis)
Parts used: Leaves
Preparations: Food, tea
Contraindications: none

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Tincture, oil (fresh infusion)
Contraindications: Hypericum can increase photosensitivity after prolonged use and can interfere with some medications. Ask a doctor before use.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Tea, tincture, food
Contraindications: thyroid inhibitor; those with hypothyroidism should seek a doctor’s advice.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Tea, tincture, oil, aromatherapy
Contraindications: avoid internal consumption in large doses during pregnancy

Horehound (Marribium vulgare)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Food (especially candies), tea, tincture
Contraindications: not for use during pregnancy

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Food, tea
Contraindications: none known

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Tea, tincture, food, oil, honey, vinegar
Contraindications: not for use during pregnancy

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Parts used: Leaves and flowers
Preparations: Food, tea, tincture, oil
Contraindications: 

Anise Hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Parts used: Aerial parts
Preparations: Tea, tincture
Contraindications: none known

Peppermint (Mentha piperata) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata)
Parts used: Aerial parts
Preparations: Food, tea, tincture
Contraindications: none known