Discovery Gardens

Our two Discovery Gardens located on the grounds of the Leslie Science and Nature Center just off the edge of Black Pond Woods and near the farm themed playground in Washtenaw County Farm Park, are great places to explore throughout the growing season for your own inspiration and curiosity.  Come see the native plant garden change with the seasons while attracting pollinators and predators for the nearby vegetable gardens cared for by the Wise Roots, Wonder Sprouts and Easy Access participants. Check out the mouth watering herb garden to see what flavor could be added to your herb garden or flower bed.  Ideas abound at the Dicovery Gardens!

The gardens operate from mid-May through mid-October and consist of the following four distinctive programs:

Wonder Sprouts: This program offers unique organic gardening and educational experience for children ages 3-12.  The program also includes garden craft
based classes 6 six throughout the season.  Held on Wednesday evenings
during our scheduled pot luck events, these classes offer fun, good food,
and learning for sprouts and their families. Wonder Sprouts participants are
encouraged to garden together, along with the Wise Roots and Easy Access
gardeners.  At the Leslie Science and Nature Center location of the
Discovery Garden gardeners gather regularly from approximately 5:30pm -
7:30pm.  At the County Farm Park location a set day to gather has not yet
been established but gardeners are encouraged to collectively decide upon
one.

Wise Roots: Raised bed garden plots provide space for older adults to garden
in an intergenerational setting.  Both sites have close proximity to parking
and other facilities, making this an easy and accessible gardening
experience. Wise Roots participants are encouraged to garden together, along
with the Wonder Sprouts and Easy Access gardeners.  At the Leslie Science
and Nature Center location of the Discovery Garden gardeners gather
regularly from approximately 5:30pm - 7:30pm.  At the County Farm Park
location a set day to gather has not yet been established but gardeners are
encouraged to collectively decide upon one.

Easy Access: Specially designed raised garden beds with accessible pathways
exist at both Discovery Garden locations for the wheel chair-bound gardener.
Additionally, the Discovery Garden located at the County Farm Park is well
suited for low-vision or no-vision gardeners. Instructional help and
guidance available for the visually impaired gardener upon request. Easy
Access participants are encouraged to garden together, along with the Wonder
Sprouts and Wise Roots gardeners.  At the Leslie Science and Nature Center
location of the Discovery Garden gardeners gather regularly from
approximately 5:30pm - 7:30pm.  At the County Farm Park location a set day
to gather has not yet been established but gardeners are encouraged to
collectively decide upon one.

Theme Gardens: Designed to inspire and educate people of all ages theme gardens surround both of the Discovery Gardens and are tended entirely by volunteers.

All Gardeners:Gardeners in the Wise Roots, Wonder Sprouts and Easy Access programs receive a 24 square foot raised bed, seeds, and educational information on organic gardening methods. All gardeners have on site access to a community tool shed, water and a shade area for relaxing. Volunteers are available to provide assistance during the designated weekly gathering time at each location

For more information contact the Project Grows Discovery Garden Coordinator
at 996-3169 or via email at discoverygarden@projectgrowgardens.org

You can now register on line for 2009 community and Discovery garden plots as well as submit volunteer applications and register for Project Grow classes and events!

Click here to apply for a Project Grow garden plot

Garden applications can also be downloaded:

Garden application (.pdf)
Garden registration materials (.pdf)

Hard copy applications are in the 2009 Pre Season Community Gardener newsletter available in February at the Project Grow office, City Hall, Ann Arbor (main) library, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation administration building, Whole Foods, Downtown Home and Garden, People's Food Co-op, and the Washtenaw County Extension office.