Open Since October 2015

Mama Ida's Teaching Garden.

Seasonal educational programs for all ages, right here at The Shed.

About the Garden

Growing food. Growing community.

Mama Ida's Teaching Garden is situated directly east of The Shed. Opened in October 2015, it's a living classroom that showcases the best of North Texas growing — from spring peas and summer tomatoes to fall squash and cool-weather greens.

The garden was designed to offer custom educational programs, seasonally, for people of all ages. Whether you're a schoolchild visiting on a field trip or an adult curious about where your food comes from, the garden is here to make that connection tangible.

It operates in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, with students and adults maintaining the space year-round through regular volunteer days.

Portrait of Ida Papert, Dallas Farmers Market legend
PHOTO: Ida Papert portrait

In Her Honor

Meet Mama Ida.

The garden is named for Ida Papert, a legendary Dallas Farmers Market supporter who began shopping here in 1953 — and never really stopped.

Ida founded the Dallas Farmers Market Friends in 1991, championing the market as a community institution long before farm-to-table was a phrase anyone used. She was known for carrying a personalized bag that read "Ida's Gotta Have It," which she filled with produce each visit. She turned market purchases into preserves, cooking classes, and organizations that connected Dallasites to real food.

Naming the garden after her isn't just a tribute — it's a commitment to the same belief she held: that knowing where your food comes from changes how you eat, cook, and live.

"The garden is here to make that connection tangible."

Seasonal Produce

What grows here.

The Teaching Garden grows what North Texas grows — cool-season crops in fall and spring, heat-tolerant varieties through the summer. Everything in the beds reflects what you'll find at The Shed that same week.

Spring

English & Sugar Snap Peas

Spring

Lettuces & Salad Greens

Summer

Heirloom Tomatoes

Summer

Peppers & Okra

Fall

Winter Squash & Gourds

Fall

Sweet Potatoes & Root Vegetables

Year-Round

Herbs & Edible Flowers

Year-Round

Cover Crops & Compost Demonstration

Educational Programs

Custom programs for every age.

The Teaching Garden is designed to flex around whoever's visiting. Programs are customized seasonally based on what's growing and who's learning.

School Field Trips

Curriculum-aligned programs for K–12 groups covering plant biology, soil health, and where food comes from. Hands-on time in the beds is included. Connect with DFM to schedule a visit.

Adult & Family Programs

Seasonal workshops for adults and families — learning to grow tomatoes, understanding compost, and connecting what's in the garden to what's on The Shed tables that same weekend.

North Texas Food Bank Partnership

The garden operates in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank. A portion of the harvest supports food access programs. Volunteer days are coordinated through the Food Bank's network.

Seasonal Planting Demos

Open demonstrations during The Shed's weekend market hours — see what's going in, what's coming out, and ask the garden team questions about growing your own in North Texas soil.

Get Involved

Come help things grow.

The Teaching Garden runs on volunteers. Students and adults maintain the space year-round — planting, harvesting, composting, and helping with educational programs.

Volunteer opportunities are coordinated through the North Texas Food Bank. Whether you're an individual, a school group, or a company looking for a community service day, the garden welcomes all hands.

Volunteer Opportunities Contact the Garden Team

Common Questions

About the garden.