ABOUT
Cultural Perspective
Our Specialty Crop Varieties
culturally significant crops
Growing food from various countries helps families preserve traditions, share culture, and create a stronger sense of belonging through the garden. Our gardens grow culturally significant crops chosen by participating families, helping gardeners maintain food traditions while adapting crops to North Dakota’s climate. Please contact your garden supervisor to request cultural varieties at your garden!
Ethiopian Kale (New in 2026)
A leafy brassica central to Ethiopian cuisine, especially dishes such as gomen wat. The leaves are tender, mildly sweet, and more heat-tolerant than many kales, allowing harvest through much of the growing season. Also known as Gomen, Highland Kale, and Texsel Greens.
Bitter Melon (New in 2026)
A tropical vine grown for its uniquely bitter fruit, valued in Asian and African cuisines. Bitter melon is commonly stir-fried, stuffed, or added to soups and is appreciated both for its flavor and traditional health benefits. This is a challenging plant to grow, and previous yields have been underwhelming.
Sweet Potato Vines & leaves (New in 2025)
While sweet potatoes produce edible roots, many cultures also harvest the tender leaves and vines as nutritious greens. The young shoots are mild in flavor and excellent sautéed or added to soups.
Gandana (Afghan leek)
A perennial leek grown primarily for its tender green leaves rather than the bulb. Gandana is widely used in Afghan cooking and is harvested repeatedly throughout the season like a cut-and-come-again crop. It is currently grown at the Welcome Garden and the Arbors Garden.
Molokhia (Egyptian spinach)
A leafy green popular across North Africa and the Middle East. The leaves are cooked into a rich, nutritious stew with a slightly silky texture. Molokhia thrives in warm weather and produces abundant harvests throughout the summer. Also known as Egyptian Spinach, Jute Mallow, Sluyot, Lalo, Ewedu, Rau Day, and Okra leaf.
Amaranth Greens
A fast-growing leafy vegetable enjoyed in many African, Asian, and Caribbean cuisines. The young leaves are tender and nutritious, similar to spinach but more heat-tolerant, making it an excellent summer green. Also known as Careless Greens, Lenga Lenga, Callaloo, and Chinese Spinach.
Nepali Bhutanese Cucumbers
A traditional cucumber variety grown for its crisp texture and refreshing flavor. Significantly larger and more vigorous than standard cucumbers, they perform well in warm conditions and are commonly used fresh or in salads and pickles. These cucumbers are distinguished by their russet brown skin. Also called Poona Kheera, Sikkim, or Gagon cucumbers.
Pumpkin Vines and Blossoms
In many cultures, pumpkin plants are valued not only for their fruit but also for their edible vines, leaves, and flowers. The tender shoots and blossoms are cooked as nutritious greens in soups, sautés, and stews.
White African Eggplant
A small, round eggplant commonly grown in West and East African cuisines. The fruits have a mild, slightly bitter flavor and are used in stews, sauces, and fresh preparations. Plants are productive and well adapted to hot weather.
Thai Chilis
Small, very hot peppers widely used in Southeast Asian cooking. Thai chili plants are highly productive and produce bright, flavorful peppers used fresh, dried, or in sauces. These peppers require the seeds to be started early in the spring to achieve maturity in our short growing season.
our community
What is the mission in your own words?
"Growing Together’s mission is to connect people through gardening and community. Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here your whole life, it’s a place where everyone belongs, can contribute, and feels valued. It brings together New Americans, families, and people of all ages and backgrounds to learn from one another, grow food, and grow community, side by side." – Sydney B.
The Cultural Perspective
The gardens began as a way to help refugees and new American families reconnect with their culture, grow fresh food, and build belonging in Fargo-Moorhead.
Growing Together Community Gardens was founded in 2006 after local leaders in Fargo began looking for ways to better welcome new American families into the community. Many refugees arriving in the area had fled war, violence, and instability, often spending years in refugee camps before coming to the United States. Limited English and unfamiliar systems made it difficult for many families to feel connected or supported.
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What began as a small garden with eight New American families quickly became a powerful space for cultural connection and community building. The gardens gave families the opportunity to grow familiar foods from their home countries, share traditions with their children, and connect with others through a shared love of gardening and food.
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Over time, the gardens evolved into a diverse and collaborative community where members of many diverse backgrounds work side by side. Beyond producing thousands of pounds of fresh food each year, the gardens have helped foster friendships, language learning, leadership opportunities, and a deeper sense of belonging for hundreds of families across Fargo-Moorhead.
Today, many of the original gardeners are homeowners, U.S. citizens, and active community leaders, a lasting reminder that gardens can grow far more than food.
What Our Members Are Saying
Nancy K.
"I joined Growing Together to get more involved in the community. I have gained that and much more. I have made many special friendships and contribute to the community by the donations of fresh produce we make to organizations. I like that we know where our produce comes from, it is fresh and we had a hand in producing it."
Christina J.
"I have done a lot of gardening on my own and always found it rewarding, but it takes up a lot of time. I'm so glad I finally decided to put some of that time towards a Growing Together garden, because it has been so much fun to see what a group of dedicated caring people can accomplish in a much shorter amount of time! I've made new friends, been able to share some of the things I've learned, and gotten a wonderful reminder how light the work can feel with many hands helping."
Abram H.
"Growing Together has been such a meaningful part of my life. Gardening alongside people from all different backgrounds, generations, and walks of life has created friendships I never would have found otherwise. It’s not just about growing food, it’s about growing community. Each season, I feel more connected to nature, to my neighbors, and to a shared purpose of giving back through the food we grow and donate together."
