From nutrition and physical activity to environmental science to mental well-being, the Poe Center’s gardens are designed to be educational, beneficial, and beautiful.
- Growing fruits and vegetables supports healthy diets.
- Gardening is a great source of physical activity.
- Spending time outside with plants can improve your mood.
Our garden specialists handpick plants with creativity and care, making every garden a lively classroom. Seasonal fruits and veggies invite children to dig in and discover where their food comes from—and why it tastes best fresh from the earth. Pollinator plants attract bees and butterflies demonstrating the critical roles “bugs” play in the garden. Plus, we choose plants packed with color, texture, and scent to spark curiosity and help children truly connect with nature.
GrowWELL Garden Programs
The Poe Center offers gardening programs for preschoolers through adults.
GrowWELL Teaching Garden
The Poe Center’s GrowWELL Garden is a unique outdoor teaching space featuring raised beds of seasonal fruits and vegetables, a pollinator garden, compost station, and educational mural. Programs taught in the GrowWELL Garden offer fun, hands-on ways for participants to make connections between edible gardening and nutrition.
Pollinator Garden
Did you know that about one in every three bites of food exists because of hard-working pollinators? At the Poe Center, we recognize and celebrate the vital role pollinators play in healthy eating. That’s why we created a small pollinator garden between our GrowWell Garden and bee apiary. With help from our friends at Bee Downtown, we planted over 15 different species to attract a variety of pollinators. These hardworking insects help us grow a bounty of healthy fruits and vegetables used in our programming.
MindWELL Garden & Labyrinth in PlayWELL Park
The MindWELL Sensory Garden and Labyrinth is a joyful place for families to explore together. Children can discover plants that smell sweet, feel soft, or make gentle sounds in the breeze, while adults enjoy the beauty and calm feeling in the garden. The winding labyrinth invites visitors of all ages to take a mindful walk. It’s a welcoming space to slow down, connect with nature, and share a meaningful experience outdoors.
