The Journey from Garden to Herbal Wellness

By Juan Juan Moses, Spokane Public Library, Community Educator

Picture a garden where fresh produce and new ideas grow side by side—welcome to the Discovery Garden at Shadle Park Library. The Discovery Garden is a living classroom, a sanctuary where food grows for our patrons and local wildlife alike. It's a place where everyone can marvel at the wonders of the natural world, savor the sweetness of a ripe strawberry, or enjoy the tang of a sun-ripened tomato.

In addition to cultivating beauty and abundance in the Discovery Garden, I have used it as a cornerstone for my health and horticulture classes. Throughout the seasons, we’ve hosted countless classes covering everything from installing drip systems and amending soil to planting tomatoes, cooking with fresh produce, and even exploring edible weeds.

One of the most exciting aspects of the garden is how it helps shape our fall events. Last winter, I imagined a program where people could learn to grow and blend their own herbal teas. With the garden ready, I teamed up with Rachel Clark, a certified herbalist from Five Elements Herbals in Spokane to create an Herbal Wellness Series.

Throughout the season, I personally grew and dried the herbs for these classes, which sparked many conversations and highlighted the Discovery Garden’s role as a living classroom. Each year, our garden showcases our dedication to farm-to-table education. The herbal tea series not only wraps up a successful growing season but also sets the stage for future learning. I’m excited to see what next year’s theme will bring and continue this journey of growth with our community.