During World War II, 20 million American families planted Victory Gardens and grew 40% of all vegetables consumed in the country — roughly 10 billion pounds. Today there are over 29,000 community gardens in the 100 largest US cities, with over 1 million plots nationwide. A 1,000 square foot biointensive garden produces about 1,000 pounds of food in a single season. You don't need a farm. You need a patch of dirt, some seeds, and a few neighbors who want to grow.
community gardens in the 100 largest US cities
community garden plots nationwide
growth in community gardens from 2007-2019
donated through Plant a Row for the Hungry since 1995
Why Start a Community Garden?
Community gardens transform vacant lots into sources of fresh food, education, and neighborhood pride. There are 29,000+ community gardens in the 100 largest US cities — and the movement grew 44% between 2007 and 2019.
Grow nutritious produce steps from where people live — a 1,000 sq ft garden produces ~1,000 lbs of food per season
Transform unused land into vibrant community hubs — 60% are entirely volunteer-run
Teach gardening, nutrition, and sustainability to all ages through workshops and shared growing
Plant a Row for the Hungry has donated 20+ million pounds of garden-grown food since 1995
What to Grow
Highest Yield (by weight)
Most Nutritious
Most Calorie-Dense (per sq ft)
Easiest for Beginners
Growing Season Guide
Spring (Mar-May)
- Direct-sow peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, carrots, beets
- Transplant broccoli, cabbage, kale starts
- Build or repair raised beds
- Turn and amend compost into soil
Summer (Jun-Aug)
- Plant tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, corn, beans
- Plant fall crops in August (lettuce, spinach)
- Water consistently — morning is best
- Harvest continuously to encourage production
Fall (Sep-Nov)
- Plant lettuce, spinach, radishes, turnips
- Plant garlic in October (for next year)
- Plant cover crops: crimson clover, winter rye
- Mulch all beds: leaves, straw, or cardboard sheet mulch
Winter (Dec-Feb)
- Order seeds for next season
- Repair beds and infrastructure
- Build compost and plan crop rotation
- Consider season extension: row covers ($20), cold frames ($50-100), hoop houses (~$500)
Free Resources
You don't need a big budget. Here's how to get started for free.
Free Seeds
- Seed libraries at public libraries — Madison Public Library distributed 46,920 packets in 2024
- Seed Savers Exchange donates 50,000+ packets/year to 600+ gardens (Herman's Garden Program)
- Seed swaps at libraries and garden clubs in spring — bring extras, take new varieties
- Save from open-pollinated varieties: tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, lettuce
Free Soil & Compost
- Municipal compost programs — many cities offer free compost (Boston, Philadelphia, NYC)
- NYC Clean Soil Bank delivers up to 6 cubic yards free to community gardens
- Horse farms and stables — happy to give away aged manure to avoid disposal costs
- Landscapers with excess topsoil from grading projects
Free Mulch
- ChipDrop (getchipdrop.com) — free wood chips from arborists, delivered to your garden
- Local arborists pay $100-200+ per dump run — free drop-off saves them money
- Newspaper/cardboard sheet mulching — completely free, smothers weeds, decomposes into soil
- Straw: $5-8/bale or free after fall festivals
Cheap/Free Planters
- Food-grade 5-gallon buckets from restaurant/bakery dumpsters — drill drainage holes
- Wooden pallets from warehouses (look for "HT" stamp = heat-treated = safe)
- Bathtubs, sinks, old coolers — drill drainage holes
- Avoid tires for food crops — contain toluene, benzene, heavy metals
What You Will Need
Essential and recommended items to get started.
Land Access
A plot of land with permission to garden — vacant lots, church grounds, school yards, parks.
- At least 600 sq ft for a starter garden (4-8 raised beds)
- Minimum 6-8 hours direct sunlight for vegetables
- Relatively flat, not flood-prone
- Contact city land banks, parks departments, or private owners
- California offers tax breaks to landowners allowing garden use for 5+ years
Water Source
Reliable access to water — often the #1 infrastructure cost.
- Outdoor spigot or hose connection is ideal
- Drip irrigation saves water and time
- Rainwater collection: 1,000 sq ft roof collects ~600 gal per inch of rain
- Budget for water costs if metered
Steering Committee
A group of 5-9 committed gardeners to plan and govern the space.
- Roles: garden coordinator, treasurer, communications, plot assignment
- Written bylaws: membership, plot assignment, fees ($10-50/yr), work requirements
- Regular meeting schedule
- Inventory each volunteer's skills and availability at first meeting
Soil Testing
Critical on urban lots — test for lead and heavy metals before planting.
- EPA recommends avoiding food growing above 400 ppm lead
- University extension labs: $15-30 per test
- If contaminated: use raised beds with imported clean soil (8"+ deep)
- Also check pH and nutrient levels for optimal growing
Insurance & Liability
Protect organizers and gardeners, especially for medium/large gardens.
- General liability: typically $300-600/year
- May be covered by the landowner's policy
- Required for some grants and city land use agreements
Startup Funding
Grants are widely available for community gardens at every scale.
- SeedMoney: micro-grants + crowdfunding (595 grantees in 2024-25)
- USDA Community Food Projects: $10K-$500K (requires 1:1 match)
- Home Depot Foundation and Lowe's Toolbox for Education
- Source free materials: ChipDrop mulch, municipal compost, seed library seeds
Cost Breakdown
Grants widely available from SeedMoney (micro-grants + crowdfunding), USDA Community Food Projects ($10K-$500K), USDA People's Garden, Home Depot Foundation, Lowe's Toolbox for Education, and local community foundations.
How to Get Started
Follow these steps to bring your project to life.
Find & Secure Land
Survey your neighborhood for unused land. Vacant lots, church yards, school grounds, and parks are all options.
Test the Soil
Ensure the soil is safe for growing food. Critical on urban lots, former gas stations, or industrial sites.
Build Your Community
Host a community meeting to gauge interest and form your steering committee.
Plan the Layout
Design your garden with plots, paths, communal areas, and infrastructure.
Build & Plant
Organize a community build day, set up infrastructure, and get your first crops in the ground.
Harvest, Donate & Sustain
Share the bounty, build for next season, and grow the community.
Organizations That Can Help
Where to Register
Tips & Best Practices
Start With Raised Beds
Better drainage, warmer spring soil, control over quality, less bending, and best for contaminated sites. $30-100 per 4×8 ft bed. Fill with clean soil and compost.
Grow What People Eat
Survey your gardeners about preferences. Cultural foods matter — include jasmine rice, bitter melon, collard greens, or whatever your community wants. The best garden grows what people actually cook.
Devote 30% to Calorie Crops
Potatoes (~320 cal/sq ft), sweet potatoes, winter squash, and dry beans store for months and feed the most people per square foot. The other 70% goes to nutrient-dense greens and vegetables.
Use Vertical Trellises
Trellises double growing space. Pole beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons, and peas all grow vertically. Increases air circulation and reduces disease too.
Succession Plant
Plant the same crop every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. Lettuce every 2 weeks from March-October means you never run out. Same with radishes, beans, and greens.
Companion Planting Works
Tomatoes + basil, "Three Sisters" (corn + beans + squash), carrots + onions. Reduces pest pressure, maximizes space, and some combinations genuinely improve flavor.
Include a Donation Row
Dedicate communal rows to food bank donations. Plant a Row for the Hungry has generated 80+ million meals this way. AmpleHarvest.org connects you with accepting pantries near you.
Host Workshops Year-Round
Beginner planting, seed saving, pest management, cooking demos, and seed swaps keep the community engaged even in winter. Contact your county cooperative extension for free Master Gardener support.
Important Considerations
Time Commitment
Setup takes significant effort: weeks for a small garden, months for large. Once running, expect 2-5 hours per week for coordination, plus monthly community work days for shared tasks. Individual plots need 2-4 hours per week during growing season.
Costs
Small garden: $200-500. Medium: $1,000-3,000. Large: $5,000-15,000. Main expenses: raised beds, soil, tools, water hookup, and fencing. Grants from SeedMoney, USDA, Home Depot Foundation, and local foundations can cover most costs. Free materials: ChipDrop mulch, municipal compost, seed library seeds.
Soil Safety
Soil testing is critical, especially on former industrial sites, gas stations, or in older urban areas with lead paint history. EPA recommends avoiding food growing above 400 ppm lead. County extension labs test for $15-30. If contaminated, use raised beds with imported soil (8"+ deep).
Legal & Zoning
Check zoning regulations for agricultural use. Some cities require permits for structures (sheds, fences, hoop houses). Land use agreements should be minimum 3-5 years. California offers tax breaks to landowners allowing garden use. The Good Samaritan Act protects all food donors.
Water Is Key
Water access is often the #1 infrastructure cost and the #1 reason gardens struggle. Secure a reliable source before planting. Drip irrigation saves 50-70% of water vs. sprinklers. One inch of rain on a 1,000 sq ft roof fills a 600-gallon cistern.
Community Buy-In
Engage neighbors from day one. Host an interest meeting before you lease land. Address concerns about noise, pests, and aesthetics early. A well-maintained garden becomes a neighborhood asset that increases property values and reduces crime.
Know Your Local Food Laws
Understanding local regulations helps ensure your initiative's success. We've compiled resources on Good Samaritan laws, cottage food rules, and zoning requirements by state.
Ready to Get Started?
Register your resource on Fresh Food Network so neighbors can find it and volunteers can support it.