Garden
This interactive, outdoor exhibit provides Museum visitors with a place to connect with nature and learn about what edible plants grow in our region. The Garden is located next to the Museum entrance and grows a variety of fruits, vegetables, greens, herbs and edible flowers.
Check our calendar for a variety of seasonal garden programs, including:
- Starting plants from seeds and seed saving
- How to make healthy snacks
- Understanding seasonal and local eating
- Composting
- Scavenger hunts for pollinators and insects
Related Field Trips
The Permaculture Garden
This garden located outside the Big Red Room Café exit doors features blueberry, elderberry and currant bushes, paw paw trees and a variety of native flowers and medicinal and edible herbs. Permaculture is a design practice that seeks to mimic natural systems in order to maximize sustainability and productivity and minimize upkeep. Learn more about the practice at Pittsburgh Permaculture.
The Permaculture Garden is funded by the Alcoa Foundation.
Berry Patch and Dye Garden
The newest addition to our garden exhibits is the Berry Patch and Dye Garden, just to the right of the main entrance. In this space we are cultivating native berry bushes, including blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries and honeyberries, as well as native plants that can be used to make natural dyes!
Design Matters
We created and maintain the Garden with many sustainable materials and practices, including:
- Raised beds constructed from railroad ties
- Plant containers made from reclaimed chimney liners
- Mushroom manure to start the Garden's raised beds
- Rainwater collection barrels
- Composting system
Visiting Tips
Use the downloadable file below for visiting tips for before and after your visit to the Garden.
The Garden is made possible by the Alcoa Foundation.