Since 1886, the Minnesota State Horticultural Society has inspired and educated gardening enthusiasts throughout Minnesota and the upper Midwest. We help gardens—and gardeners—grow!

Garden-in-a-Box is an exciting program pilot tested in the 2008 growing season. The program is designed to encourage gardening among low income families and others who live in condos, housing projects, town homes and other locations with limited garden space and/or soil too contaminated to grow food safely. In challenging economic times, Garden-in-a-Box provides a wonderful opportunity for people to grow their own food and experience the benefits of gardening—affordable, healthy food, outdoor activity, pleasure and community building.

Similar “garden boxes” offered for sale in the market cost many times more than our Garden-in-a-Box kit, and therefore are out of the financial reach of many families. Our program was designed with the help and commitment of MSHS volunteers, using economical materials locally available. We will distribute kits free or at reduced price to low income families and recruit volunteer mentors to help novice gardeners have a successful gardening experience.