Gardens to inspire and educate about elegant edible plants, showing the future of sustainable, hyper-local food production in landscaping
Queen Creek, AZ. (February 11, 2020) – Queen Creek Botanical Gardens today announced the Gardens will open in 2020. The design and plant selection of the 10-acre Gardens are intended to inspire and educate patrons, demonstrating how to create more sustainable, elegant home landscapes that also produce food. Prior to its completion and opening, a public open house and preview tours will take place at the Gardens during Roots N’ Boots Queen Creek, March 12-15, 2020.
The Gardens will showcase one of three known fully-operational industrial-age water mills west of the Mississippi, shops, and various themed demonstration gardens, including English, Japanese, Southwest, Tropical, Colonial, Vietnamese, Mediterranean, Contemporary, greenhouses and even a Millcreek medicinal garden. While open to the public, themed Gardens, exhibits and buildings are planned for construction throughout the remainder of the year. Future developments at the Gardens include a reception center, and state of the art conservatory with an education center and expanded exhibits.
Fruits, vegetables and other food produced onsite will be available for purchase at the Gardens, or through a weekly CSA-style produce-subscription service. The Gardens will offer educational classes and workshops teaching about elegant landscape design, weed and pest control, microclimates and more.
Americans are more removed from their food sources than ever before. Each meal in the United States travels an estimated 1,500 miles to get from farm to plate. In addition, 21 percent of children in Maricopa county are considered food insecure according to the Maricopa County Food Coalition. Consumers are increasingly demanding better food that is closer to them, readily available, and in season. They are also looking for ideas of plants that they can grow beautifully at home through two-in-one landscape design that is both elegant and edible.
“The Queen Creek Botanical Gardens will be one of a kind, where everything planted at the Gardens is elegant and edible,” said Justin Rohner, Executive Director, Queen Creek Botanical Gardens. “It does not take a lot of effort or a green thumb to grow more food at home. Consumers can work within HOA and city regulations to have a beautiful and productive yard where healthy, naturally-grown food is produced within existing landscapes.”
The Gardens will rely on admissions, memberships, volunteerism, and other contributions in order to operate, provide world-class exhibits and education, and to grow. The public can pre-order memberships, founding memberships, paver stones, produce subscription boxes and find information about donations and sponsorships through the Gardens’ website at www.qcgardens.org.
About Queen Creek Botanical Gardens
Queen Creek Botanical Gardens inspire and educate about elegant edible plants, showing the future of sustainable, hyper-local food production in landscaping. The 10-acre Gardens feature one of only three known fully-operational industrial-age water mills west of the Mississippi, shops, and themed demonstration gardens, including English, Italian, French, Japanese and more. Fruits, vegetables and other food produced at the Gardens will be available for purchase at the gift shop, or through a weekly produce-subscription service. To learn more about the Gardens, visit www.qcgardens.org, or connect with us at admin@qcgardens.org, Facebook,Instagram or Twitter.
Contact:
Chris Walker
Director of Marketing
Queen Creek Botanical Gardens
(480) 704-4100 Ext 703
I am wondering about volunteer opportunities, such as the gift shop. I am not much of a gardener but have over 30 years of experience in retail.
Hello! This is so very amazing, super excited for this! Will you be doing a job fair/hiring event? Thanks you!
Exactly where in QC will this be?
A map, address or location information would be nice to see on your website! Numerous post on FB pages asking about an address or location.