Finding a Community Garden...

If you are interested in finding a plot to garden at in your neighborhood or community GreenNet suggests you follow these steps:

• Search GreenNet's Community Garden Map by neighborhood to locate gardens that may be in your area.
  
• Visit these gardens and look for information on who is the site steward or lead gardener. Contact information will probably be listed or a schedule for workdays or meetings. If someone is at the garden, stop and talk with them about the garden and who to contact. (Try weekends or weeknights when gardens may be more active!)
• If you can't find a site steward's contact information, look for signs that a local organization or a GreenNet member organization was involved (i.e. Chicago Botanic Gardens, Greencorps, NeighborSpace or other). Try contacting one of these organizations to see if the garden is active or if contact information might be available.
• Once the contact information is available, remember, when contacting a steward, they have dedicated their time to the garden and have respect for this commitment. Perhaps suggest volunteering a few times before making your own commitment. Most gardens will be accommodating and welcoming but it pays to be considerate and gracious.
• Another source for available garden space within the City of Chicago are our numerous parks. Contact the Chicago Park District or Friends of the Parks to find more information on garden availability. www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or www.fotp.org/

An interesting new option:

Though community gardens offer many benefits beyond a place to garden, some people may also benefit from exchanges like those found at hyperlocavore "we share space,tools, time, strength, seeds, skills and food" or SharedEarth "connects land owners with gardeners and farmers" where you can offer your own land for someone looking to garden or you can find someone who is willing to share their yard.

Contact Us