Mountain Gardens

We sell wild foods to the Lantern in Chapel Hill. Medicinal plants and seeds are available at Mountain Gardens.

About purchasing from Mountain Gardens...

“These are important community members providing a unique service... How amazing that here in our little valley, we can go find Chinese and western herbal medicine, much of it homegrown, for ourselves, families and patients.

- Jade, customer

“I have been working with Mountain Gardens for the past 21 years. Joe's expertise is invaluable. The herbs I source through Mountain Gardens are quite good, often excellent quality. The folks I deal with are knowledgeable, responsible, responsive, and timely. The educational videos are informative and enjoyable. I feel fortunate to have Mountain Gardens as a supplier for my medicinal formulas.”

- Margot, customer

Our work schedule…

A group of apprentices stay throughout the growing season (March-October). We hire throughout the year. WWOOFers are welcome for a minimum three-week stay. General work includes weeding, harvesting, various building projects, planting, medicine making, and event planning/organization. People apply through email or a phone call. We work out your time frame based on your needs as well as ours.

Compensation offered...

Educational classes and plant walks are available. Room and board are provided. Apprentices live in single dwellings and WWOOFers camp on the property. Medicinal herbs and vegetables are available from the garden.

Our location...

Mountain Gardens is located next to Pisgah National Forest. It is tucked away in the mountains and provides a calming and healing educational environment. It is near the Celo Community which is a very friendly community that often holds events and gatherings.

To be an apprentice it is helpful to have some experience and skills in one of the areas including working with medicinal herbs, vegetable gardening, mushroom cultivation and foraging, wild food foraging, natural/alternative building, and carpentry.

To inquire about employment opportunities, please contact us by phone during the day, by email, or visit our website for further information.

About working for Mountain Gardens...

“My experience at Mountain Gardens was wonderful. I learned more in my time there than I ever had before about plants, homesteading, simple living and medicine. Joe is an incredible inspiration and his place is a magical place to live. The work is hard and rewarding. Everyone has their own place and projects, while also spending time together with other apprentices to maintain the garden. The opportunities there are infinite.

- Natalie, former apprentice

Mountain Gardens is always open to the public. Visitors can call ahead of time or are free to pop in and walk around the gardens, the buildings are currently closed.

Find out about our current offerings on our farm’s event page or Facebook page.

About purchasing from Mountain Gardens...

“These are important community members providing a unique service... How amazing that here in our little valley, we can go find Chinese and western herbal medicine, much of it homegrown, for ourselves, families and patients.

- Jade, customer

“I have been working with Mountain Gardens for the past 21 years. Joe's expertise is invaluable. The herbs I source through Mountain Gardens are quite good, often excellent quality. The folks I deal with are knowledgeable, responsible, responsive, and timely. The educational videos are informative and enjoyable. I feel fortunate to have Mountain Gardens as a supplier for my medicinal formulas.”

- Margot, customer

About working for Mountain Gardens...

“My experience at Mountain Gardens was wonderful. I learned more in my time there than I ever had before about plants, homesteading, simple living and medicine. Joe is an incredible inspiration and his place is a magical place to live. The work is hard and rewarding. Everyone has their own place and projects, while also spending time together with other apprentices to maintain the garden. The opportunities there are infinite.

- Natalie, former apprentice