Transitions Mental Health Association

Answers from Growing Grounds Farm

Hope Through Horticulture: Nurturing Plants And People


You will find answers to frequently asked questions on this page. If you do not see your question answered here, please contact us.

Plant Questions
Growing Grounds Questions
Mental Health Related Questions

Plant Questions

Do you sell plants to the public?

Yes and no. We are a wholesale grower, and we sell plants directly to landscapers and retail nurseries. However, we have our own little outlet in San Luis Obispo at Growing Grounds Downtown. "GGD," as we call our store, is located at 956 Chorro Street between Marsh and Monterey, and is open every day. For store hours, call (805) 544-4967.

Where can I buy your plants?

You can find our plants at several nurseries around San Luis Obispo County. Our plants all have a bright yellow tag in the pot with our flower logo. For a complete list of nurseries who buy plants from us, click here.

Can landscapers or nurseries buy direct from GGF?

Absolutely! Landscapers and nurseries are always welcome to order off our availability or come directly to the farm. When you come out to the farm, you will see everything we have instead of just the retail-quality plants. We can also do contract growing. Contact us for details.

What are your hours?

We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How can I get a copy of your availability list?

You can click on the link at the bottom of any page on our website. This will take you directly to our current availability. You can also call us or email us and ask to be included in either the fax or email distribution list.
Growing Grounds Questions

What is Growing Grounds Farm?

GGF is an Adult Vocational program within Transitions-Mental Health Association. We are non-profit wholesale nursery. Our goal is to grow a great selection of quality plants and provide the best possible services to our employees. We strive to empower our employees and give them the opportunity to explore new skills.

How big is GGF?

The nursery is located on about 7 acres in San Luis Obispo. Nursery stock (potted plants) covers between 2 and 3 acres of the farm. We have about 850 varieties of plants, and a total of about 100,000 plants.

How can I volunteer at GGF?

We love volunteers! Please call us at (805) 543-6071 or email us in order to set up a time to show you around the farm. If it seems like a place you would like to volunteer, we can schedule volunteer times with you. You can weed, transplant, prune, landscape, or any number of other chores. We are always looking for handy-help as well for light construction and repair.

Do you pay your employees?

Yes. Any of our employees who have an open case with County Mental Health or with TMHA's Supported Employment Program are eligible for paid positions. Our employees earn minimum wage and work in 3 hour shifts.

What makes you a non-profit?

We are part of Transitions Mental Health Association, a registered non-profit. We provide vocational and socialization opportunities for people with mental illness. The money we earn selling plants goes back into our program.
Mental Health Related Questions

What is horticultural therapy?

Horticultural therapy is based on the idea that working in a garden can have beneficial therapeutic effects. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush, "reported that garden settings held curative effects for people with mental illness." For more information on horticultural therapy, you can visit this site: American Horticultural Therapy Association

I have a family member with a mental illness. How can s/he work at GGF?

Anyone can volunteer here. In order to a paid employee, your relative would need to have an open case with San Luis Obispo County Mental Health, and then be referred to the farm by his/her case manager. You can get more information by calling us or calling the Transitions main office at (805) 541-5144.

Nurseries
Bay Laurel Nursery Miner's Atascadero
Cambria Nursery and Florist Miner's Los Osos
Educated Gardener- Santa Margarita Miner's Morro Bay
Farm Supply San Luis Obispo Moore's Western Nursery
Finley Family Farm-Templeton Orchard Supply Hardware
Golden Hills Nursery Pacific Coast Home & Garden
Los Osos Valley Nursery Treeman Nursery
Miner's Arroyo Grande Windmill Farm-Arroyo Grande

How to Contact Us:

Growing Grounds Farm
3740 Orcutt Road
P.O. Box 15408
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

Phone: 805-543-6071
Fax: 805-543-6092
Email us

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