At 1800 Scituate Avenue in Cranston, on the grounds of SCLT’s 20-acre Good Earth Farm, three farmers run a garden center unlike anything you’ll find at a big box store. The Good Earth Farm Garden Center & Farmer Co-Op is managed collaboratively by Nayeema Eusuf of Geek Gardens, Phillip Yang of Phillip’s Farm, and Christina Dedora of Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, who grows the herbs and botanicals that go into her teas and culinary mixes in eyesight of where they’re processed and sold. These are people who have grown what they’re selling, know every variety by name, and can tell you exactly how it will perform in a Rhode Island summer.
The current herb selection alone is worth the trip: chocolate mint, peppermint, spearmint, applemint, lavender, multiple varieties of thyme and basil, culantro, epazote, holy basil/tulsi, pineapple sage, catnip, lemon balm, upright and trailing rosemary, Mexican mint marigold, bee balm, Roman chamomile, fennel, dill, and more. Beyond herbs, the co-op carries houseplants, perennials, fruit and vegetable starts, and an ever-changing selection of plants grown specifically for this region’s climate and conditions. Whatever your growing situation, there’s someone on site who can help you figure out what will actually thrive.
While you’re there, visit Sanctuary Herbs’ shop for herbal teas, culinary seasonings, and botanical products made almost entirely from ingredients grown within a mile of where you’re standing. It’s as local as it gets.
The Good Earth Farm Garden Center & Farmer Co-Op is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
