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Page last updated on March 18, 2024 at 9:49 am

About the Community Gardening Program

Community gardens are a place for all levels of gardener, from aspiring to master gardener. Join us and reap all of the benefits that community gardens offer. Access to delicious, nutritious, fresh food is just the beginning.

Gardeners ...

  • experience physical and mental health benefits
  • enjoy the sights and sounds of nature 
  • meet people with a shared interest 
  • carry out their own food culture 
  • engage children in experiential learning 
  • help their families develop healthy eating habits 
  • learn tips from gardening experts in our classes 
  • join us at community events 

The Bloomington Community Gardening program provides the infrastructure so that you can grow your own food, flowers, herbs and more.

 

We provide:

  • fencing to keep deer and other animals out of the garden
  • access to water
  • communal tools
  • composting
  • knowledgeable garden staff who are ready to help you
  • a monthly garden newsletter

 

Garden Plot Rental and Waitlist

New gardener registration begins on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10am at the links below. Registration takes place on a first come, first served basis. Garden plots are available to rent throughout the season or until all plots are rented. 

 

Butler Park Community Garden Plot Registration

  •  All Butler Park Community Garden plots are reserved. Please place your name on the waitlist at the link below.

 

Switchyard Park Community Garden Plot Registration 

  • All Switchyard Park plots are reserved. Please place your name on the waitlist at the link below.

 

Willie Streeter Community Garden Plot Registration Site

  • As of Monday, March 18 various small in-ground plots at Willie Streeter remain available. (Scroll until you see a plot that is not grayed out). All large plots and raised beds are reserved. Please place your name in the waitlist at the link below if you're interested in a large plot or a raised bed at Willie Streeter. 

 

If your plot preference is no longer available, please add your name to the WAITLIST here, and we will contact you should a space become available. 

 

Community Gardening Program Scholarship

Thanks to the generosity of the Bloomington Health Foundation, scholarships for garden plot rental are available to individuals that find the fees a barrier to participation*. We will prioritize applicants who currently receive benefits from government assistance programs. Scholarships will cover half of the cost of a garden plot and are limited to one garden plot per household. 

If you’re interested in receiving a scholarship for a community garden plot rental, please fill out this garden scholarship request form with current contact information and a representative from the Community Gardening Program will contact you by email. 

*Available while funding lasts.

 

Hours of Operation

Dawn to dusk, April through October.

Accessibility

The Community Gardening program offers garden plots based on varying accessibility needs. Raised beds are available at both the Willie Streeter and Butler Park locations, and raised beds that are wheelchair accessible are available at Switchyard Park. 

 

Sponsorships and Donations

The Community Gardening program benefits from generous donations from corporations, businesses, groups and individuals in the form of seeds, plants, tools, soil amendments and other supplies, which allow us to keep our gardening opportunities affordable to all. There are a number of opportunities to become a donor to or sponsor of the Community Gardening program. Sponsorships or donations are accepted throughout the year. For more information about making a sponsorship or donation to the City's community gardens, contact Sarah Mullin at 812.349.3704 or email communitygardens@bloomington.in.gov.