The City of Sacramento’s Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment operates community gardens in various neighborhoods for residents to try out their green thumbs.
Residents who have a City of Sacramento address can apply for one plot per household. There are more than 20 locations and plot sizes vary by garden. A full list can be found here.
At the plots, gardeners can come together to grow fruits, vegetables and flowers, and everything grown is their property. Gardeners are required to maintain their plots to pass quarterly inspections and complete volunteer service to keep their plots.
Typical pricing is $25 per year for a10 by 10 foot plot and $50 per year for a 10 by 20 foot plot. All plots have a one-time refundable cleaning deposit of $25. Some gardens may have waiting lists.
Those interested in joining a garden can contact community garden program coordinator William Maynard by email at wmaynard@cityofsacramento.org or phone 916-202-0560.
As program coordinator, Maynard has introduced ADA garden beds and accessible pathways, and all gardens in the program use sustainable practices. He recently received the local government leadership award at the Sustainable Facilities Forum for his management of the program.
“Community gardens are a go-to place for relaxing and fulfilling activity,” Maynard said. “I’m honored to be recognized with the award and happy to see the level of interest our gardens generate.”
The process for receiving a plot includes registration and an orientation. Gardeners are required to complete two hours of volunteer service per month to the garden beyond time spent on their own plots. Each garden has a regularly scheduled Saturday for this to happen.
A new garden is scheduled to open late this summer in the Land Park neighborhood next to Leataata Floyd Elementary School. Priority for plots at this location will be given to parents who have children attending the school.