We're Transforming Food Deserts to Beauty!
Beauty's Community Garden's programs, events, and educational materials focus on breaking the cycle of food insecurity, poor nutrition, and the resulting health outcomes people within communities with limited access to fresh produce experience. These communities are called food deserts. Our garden is located in one of forty plus food deserts in Houston. We are committed to bringing awareness and impacting the lives of the residents in these communities.

24 Million
People in the U.S. reside in food desert communities according to the USDA
500,000
Reside in one of 40+ food deserts in
Houston, Texas alone.
Health Impact
Poor diet and access to processed foods result in poor health.
Learning about what we eat and where it comes from has a transformative influence on how we grow, feel, and act.
More than giving food that feeds for a day, we teach you how to become your own food source, and the advantages of bringing plant-based foods into your diet, gaining a global, cultural, and scientific appreciation for food, and setting you on a lifetime path of personal, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Kale
Brassica oleracea
Most varieties today are biennials; they produce leaves the first year and flowers the second. However, some heritage kale varieties are perennial.
Crop Description
They typically range from 1 to 3 ft tall. The plants have large, ruffled, or curly leaves that range from deep green to shades of purple The stems are tough and fibrous, supporting broad leaves. As the plant matures, the lower leaves may be harvested.
Culinary Use
It is a versatile green used in salads, smoothies, kale chips, soups/stews, stir-fries, pasta/grain dishes, juices and casseroles. Whether you're looking to make a quick snack, a nutritious meal, or a refreshing beverage, kale has got you covered.
Nutrition
Raw kale is 84% water, 9% carbohydrates, 4% protein, and 1% fat. 100 grams (3.5 oz), raw kale supplies 49 kilocalories and is a rich source of vitamin K (3.7 times DV). It is a rich source of vitamin A, C, B6, folate and manganese (20%+ DV). As well as a host of other vital nutrients.

Crop Cultivation
Kale thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. This leafy green prefers cooler temperatures and full sun to partial shade. Kale can be planted in early spring or late summer for full harvest. Harvesting can be done when they are about the size of your hand, usually 55-75 days after planting from seeds, or 30-40 days if planting from transplants.
Body Benefits
Kale supports heart health, boosts immunity, aids digestion, and promotes bone health. Its antioxidants help reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases.
Origin & History
Kale originated in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia Minor, where it was cultivated by the Greeks and Romans around 2000 B.C. It was a staple in medieval European diets, particularly in the British Isles and Scandinavia. During World War II, kale gained popularity in the UK as part of the "Dig for Victory" campaign, encouraging citizens to grow their own vegetables.

“I started volunteering at Beauty’s Garden in 2020 to raise vegetables and work in a garden like I love to do. It’s hard to make new friends in middle age, and to make it worse I came to Houston at the beginning of the pandemic so I was so isolated, living and working alone. There was no where to go! Nothing was open where I could talk to other people! The Garden turned out to be the only place I could bring my mask and interact safely, outdoors, with diverse but like-minded people. We literally have people from age 8 to 80 coming to help every week. During a time of loneliness and crushing ennui across the country, we’re growing organic food together for the needy, learning about horticulture, and sharing at our potlucks. I hardly know anyone in Houston but my Beauty’s Garden friends are looking forward to seeing me every week.”
Maggie Wineland
New Houstonite
Knowledge is Power!
Root-level transformation happens through discovery, empowerment, and support focused on a path to a healthy and dignified life.

PROGRAMS: Our year-round urban farming, cooking, and youth programs form the cornerstone of our community impact. Our Food Desert to Beauty programming extends our outreach to over 40 food desert communities, significantly enhancing engagement and impact. These initiatives represent just a glimpse of our efforts.
For more details, please click the link below. Learn more

PUBLICATION: The Seed Newsletter has replaced the Green Seedling Magazine. Our first publication went out for the 2024 Holiday Season in December. Our quarterly newsletter is created with our community in mind.
Join the mailing list, click the link below. Sign up for the SEED

SUPPORT: As a non-profit, we rely on your support to develop and provide programs, events, and food to the community. In an effort to diversify and make our fundraising initiatives more inclusive, we have decided to retire our annual MLK PEACE through PIE event. In 2025, we introduced our Beauty's Table Series, which allows a select few to enjoy a fine dining experience surrounded by the beauty of our urban garden. For more information on this event, please click here.
We also plan to roll out an international food tasting event for Octoberfest—more details to come.