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What are your business hours?
Hardin Gardens is open Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 5pm, typically
July through September. It's possible for us to be open as late as the end of October if weather/crops permit.
Exact opening/closing dates and/or any changes to business hours will be posted on the home page.
Does your "CLOSED" sign apply to me? Or is that just for
everyone else?
For our business hours, see above. We open at noon because the majority
of our produce is picked the day we sell it, and we need the preparation time. Showing up at our stand before opening
does not necessarily mean you'll get the "pick of the crop". Often it means quite the opposite, as we may not have everything
picked, washed and ready for purchase yet, and we just don't have the time to drop everything and pick something special if
we're already working on something else. If you find yourself needing to stop by early, please try to call us ahead
(meaning before the morning of a business day) so we can work your request into our schedule.
Are you organic growers?
Although we are not "certified organic" with the State of California, we
do not use any chemical sprays on our products. Becoming certified is a lengthy and expensive process and we feel our
time is better spent in the planning, planting and harvesting the produce you have come to know and expect as organic without
passing on the high cost to you.
Our method of farming is known as sustainable agriculture. A quick definition of this is that
sustainable agriculture is an approach to growing food and fiber which
is profitable, uses on-farm resources efficiently to minimize adverse effects on the environment and people, preserves the
natural productivity and quality of land and water, and sustains vibrant rural communities. For more detailed information,
please check out the "Sustainable Farming" page.
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Why do you charge a $5.00 refundable deposit for your wooden boxes?
When the season really gets going, all the produce takes up a lot of space.
In order to keep everything organized and displayed properly, and also to help our customers carry out some of their larger
purchases (such as full boxes of tomatoes), we offer the use of our wooden boxes. In order to keep costs down for you,
Dennis makes these boxes by hand, which takes up valuable time. To offset the loss in the event a box isn't returned,
a $5.00 refundable deposit is charged.
Do you allow shoppers to bring dogs to your stand?
We understand that many of our customers are out for a weekend drive with
man's best friend, and everyone needs to stretch their legs for a bit. However, our gardens really are no place for
your furry companions, as even the most well behaved dog can find himself in trouble if not watched closely. For everyone's
safety and comfort, and for health reasons, please keep your dog on a leash if brought out of the car, and please keep them
in the parking area. And out of respect for us, our produce and your fellow shoppers, PLEASE do not
let your dogs relieve themselves in our gardens or on the hay bales surrounding the produce stand. You may take them
across the parking lot to the fence if they need a bathroom break, but please be sure to clean up after them! Another
note to keep in mind, our ferocious guard cats (Huey, Duke, Pepe, Earl Grey, Big Kahuna and Kalua Pig) are often patrolling
the property when not overwhelmed by...well...life, and thus needing a nap. Five acres is a lot of ground to cover if
you're chasing after a dog chasing a cat!!
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| Huey hard at work! Don't let closed eyes and loud snore fool you! |
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| Kahuna, our site master, takes his mandatory 10 minute break. (Rest In Peace, Big Kahuna 12/2007) |
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| Kalua mans the complaint desk! |
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