Photograph by Catherine Grace
Melrose Medicinal Garden and Food Forest is a peaceful oasis hidden in Walnut Hills. This one small lot on Melrose Avenue contains around 40 different types of medicinal perennials like echinacea, mountain mint, and calendula; the Food Forest has products available to gather and pick from. For those new to the world of medicinal plants, experts like herbalist and garden steward Meghan Henshaw run regular classes to teach community members about the plants’ healing properties.
“What I focus on is teaching people practical skills: how they can cultivate plants in their own green spaces and how they can use medicinal plants safely,” she says. “[Students] will take root cuttings and gather seeds. The idea is really that this is a kind of nexus of information and tactile learning that folks can take with them.” For those looking to get their hands dirty, this living classroom also has volunteer workdays most Thursday mornings.
Photograph by Catherine Grace
