Picky customers: Guests choose herbs, flowers, produce to be cut for them at Burnside Garden

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — At this vegetable garden, it's OK to point your finger at the staff.

The "You Point, We Pick" program will be back at Burnside Garden, 1461 Schoenersville Road, starting Saturday, June 3.

At the garden, which will be open the first Saturday of the month through October, visitors also can learn more about Historic Bethlehem Museums and Sites' (HBMS) “farm in the city” along the Monocacy Creek.

• The "You Point: We Pick" program returns to Burnside Garden on the first Saturday of the month through October
• Visitors can learn about the historical farm and the gardening practices of Colonial settlers
• Volunteers hand pick the items shoppers selected and the cost in exchange for the donation of choice

Customers can select seasonal produce, herbs and flowers to take home that will be handpicked by Burnside's volunteers — in exchange for a donation of your choice.

Since the garden uses plantings for charity purposes, the site is not-pick-your-own. Instead, visitors will point out what they want to volunteers, who will pick it for them.

However, it is suggested to bring your own bags, basket or buckets to take items home.

Courtesy

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Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites

This season, a mix of herbs and flowers have been planted around the perimeter of the garden to attract pollinators.

Visitors can shop for summer staples such as cabbage, tomatoes, summer squash, pumpkins, strawberries, melons, peas, peppers and carrots.

Learn about the history

Burnside Colonial Garden, run by Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites, includes plantings grown in Colonial times, along with newer greenery and herbs.

Volunteers are taught to grow organically just as the settlers would have done by continuing with the practice of crop rotation.

On the first of the month, attendees also can tour the Burnside House and barn and see Colonial cooking demonstrations in the summer kitchen and chat with staff about the history, uses and maintenance of the garden.

Additionally, families can enjoy arts and crafts, nature walks and story time on select days.

Donations to the “You Point, We Pick” program enable Historic Bethlehem Museum & Site to further offer educational programs at 20 historic sites including Historic Moravian Bethlehem.

To learn about volunteering at the garden, visit historicbethlehem.org/support/volunteer

Cash and credit cards are accepted for donations.

The Burnside Garden will be open 9:30 a.m. to noon until October.

For more information, visit HBMS's Burnside Plantation page