A new season is taking root at The Grow. After months of preparing the soil, planting, tending, and watching the first garden come to life, the farm recently reached an exciting milestone: its very first harvest.
But that first harvest was only the beginning.
Since then, Farmer Nicole and the farm team have continued harvesting weekly, learning from the land, responding to the rhythm of Central Florida’s growing season, and discovering what this early farm can produce. In fact, these first growing areas have already yielded more than expected, offering a welcome reminder that nature is full of surprises.
As Orlando’s first agrihood continues to take shape, these early harvests offer a meaningful glimpse of what life at The Grow is growing into as first move-ins draw closer. More than a place where crops are grown, The Grow is designed to cultivate a deeper connection between residents and their food, their neighbors, and the land itself.
And while this first season is still unfolding, it is already helping shape the future of gardens and groves in the community.
A First Harvest and an Ongoing Season
The first harvest at The Grow marked an important milestone, but it also opened the door to something much larger: an ongoing season of growth, learning, and possibility.
In these early months, the farm team has been doing what every working farm requires—preparing soil, testing what grows best, adjusting to weather, learning from each planting, and understanding how much each harvest can yield. Because farming is guided by the seasons, no two weeks are exactly alike. Some crops flourish quickly. Others take more time. Rain, heat, soil conditions, and timing all play a role in what is planted, what is harvested, and when it is ready to enjoy.
As The Grow continues to prepare for future resident farm shares (or its CSA), farm stand offerings, and farm-to-table lifestyle event experiences, much of the summer bounty harvested so far has been donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. It has been a practical and purposeful way to make immediate use of the produce and safeguard against food waste, while the community’s long-term farm programming continues to take shape.
For The Grow, this early season has been about learning, living, and doing good in the process. It is a chance to understand the farm’s rhythms, celebrate its early abundance, and share fresh, locally grown food with the broader Central Florida community along the way.
The Farm at the Heart of The Grow
In The Grow’s agrihood, the farm is much more than an amenity. It is the heartbeat of this rare Orlando community. Spanning nine acres, the working farm will help shape everything from the farm-fresh foods residents can enjoy to the traditions that define life at The Grow.
One of the joys of life at The Grow will be watching the farm, gardens, groves, and orchards transform with the seasons, creating an ever-shifting landscape that reflects the time of year. From crisp greens and vibrant vegetables to fragrant herbs and colorful blooms, each harvest will offer something new to discover and enjoy.
And food is only the beginning of life here.
Over time, the farm will become a place where residents can gather, learn, and grow together. Future resident crop shares will bring fresh produce closer to home. Educational programs will help residents learn more about where their food comes from. Children will have opportunities for hands-on experiences that show how food is grown. Families will be able to enjoy meals inspired by freshly harvested ingredients. And seasonal celebrations will create meaningful moments for neighbors to connect.
In many neighborhoods, green space is something to pass through. At The Grow, it is designed to be an active part of everyday life.
What’s Growing at The Grow?
Imagine picking up freshly harvested greens for abundant salads and morning smoothies. Bringing home a bundle of herbs for a favorite family recipe. Watching fragrant blooms stretch toward the sky, attracting a parade of bees and butterflies.
These are the kinds of everyday moments The Grow is designed to inspire, giving residents a front-row seat to the changing rhythms of the year.
Central Florida’s year-round sunshine supports a lifestyle rooted in seasonal freshness. One month, the farm’s gardens may be filled with leafy greens and sun-ripened berries. A few weeks later, colorful peppers, fragrant herbs, and vibrant flowers may begin to take their place.
Throughout the year, the fields, gardens, and orchards may yield a variety of seasonal favorites, including:
- Baby Greens: arugula, kale, and spinach
- Leafy Greens: bok choy, collard greens, lettuce, and Swiss chard
- Root Vegetables: beets, carrots, radishes, sweet potatoes, and turnips
- Warm-Weather Vegetables: cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, summer squash, tomatoes, and zucchini
- Fresh Herbs: basil, cilantro, oregano, parsley, and rosemary
- Colorful Flowers: marigolds, sunflowers, zinnias, and cosmos
The result is a landscape that changes with the seasons and inspires a different way of eating, gathering, and living. More than a list of crops, each harvest tells the story of a season. It is a reminder that food is not simply something purchased from a shelf. It is something that grows, changes, and connects us to the natural world around us.
Learning, Growing, and Sharing Along the Way
The early harvests at The Grow have been measured in baskets, bunches, and bushels, but they have also been measured in lessons. Every planting helps the farm team better understand the soil. Every harvest offers insight into timing, yield, and seasonal demand. Every week brings new information that will help shape future resident offerings and farm experiences.
Because the first season has produced more than anticipated, The Grow has donated most of the summer bounty, and as this season of learning and refining continues to grow, the goal is to donate more of The Grow’s bounty as we prepare for our future residents and the CSA. Opportunities for residents to enjoy what it produces, including future crop shares, farm stand moments, educational experiences, and seasonal gatherings, will help bring the farm’s mission and vision to life.
Thriving Together at The Grow
The first harvest marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter, and the season is still unfolding.
As The Grow continues to flourish, the farm will remain at the center of a community rooted in fresh food, meaningful connection, and shared experiences. With every season, new opportunities will emerge to gather with neighbors, celebrate what is growing, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life lived a little closer to the land.
Because at The Grow, the farm is growing more than produce. It is growing traditions, connections, and a way of life that will continue to take root season after season. Harvest happiness by exploring new homes for sale at The Grow.
