Your plot fees contribute to water, services, and improvements for your gardens.
Gardens Project believes everyone deserves access to land to grow food, which is why we keep plot fees as low as possible by:
- securing low-cost or free land agreements
- negotiating discounts on garden equipment and materials
- organizing volunteer labor
- supporting garden managers
We also ensure that community gardeners have access to shared tools, drip irrigation, compost, learning opportunities, organic seeds and plant starts when available, and a well-maintained garden.
Water is the largest cost to the gardens, and we ensure that the water bills for our network are paid in full. Since we believe that each gardener in our network deserves access to land and water, we coordinate a water cooperative that standardizes the cost for everybody. Water conservation is critical in your garden.
The $0.60/square foot per year you pay does not reflect the true cost of community gardening, which is much closer to $0.60/square foot per month. When considering a payment that is affordable to you, know that every dollar makes a difference.
The Gardens Project team fundraises to make community gardening affordable, but we can’t always depend on grants and donations to make up the difference. By paying more than your minimum plot fee, you make it possible for us to spend less time fundraising and more time sustaining and improving our community gardening network so that you and your family can continue enjoying your garden.
Thank you for being a part of the Gardens Project network. Happy gardening!
Scholarships are always available to those who contact our office to apply.