You can apply to garden in Sacramento community plots this summer. Here’s how

If you’re looking for a sign to get started on that summer dream garden of yours, now might be your chance.

Sacramento’s community garden coordinator William Maynard said that now is a “great time” to garden due to the warm weather and rising food prices.

“You can grow up to $300 to $400 worth of vegetables for $25,” Maynard said.

Sacramento households are eligible to apply for one plot of gardening space at a community garden near them, according to the city’s Department of Youth, Parks & Community Enrichment.

The price for a 10-by-10 foot plot is $25 per year; for a 10-by-20 foot plot, $50. Plots also come with a one-time refundable cleaning deposit fee of $25.

This program is for Sacramento residents, and a list and map of gardens available is on the city’s website. There are more than 20 community gardens in the area, some of which have ADA compliant garden plots.

How to apply

To apply for a plot, first locate a community garden near you using the city’s garden map.

Then, contact the garden’s coordinator, Maynard, by email at wmaynard@cityofsacramento.org, or call him at 916-202-0560.

Some public gardens have waiting lists of up to two years, depending on the location. Once accepted, people must fill out paperwork and attend an in-person orientation with a city garden official.

Multiple people can share a single plot, including families and groups of two or three friends who would like to garden together. All participating gardeners must live within city limits.

To keep their plots, gardeners must pass quarterly inspections and participate in monthly volunteer programs.

Two failed inspections can lead to losing a plot; however, gardeners are given a grace period of a week to address concerns like removing weeds and unapproved plants.

Gardeners must also attend a two hour workday per month, which are held on Saturdays and can range from compost training to seasonal gardening tip sessions.

“We have to make sure they’re still interested in gardening,” Maynard said. “We do have to be ... responsible for the look of the garden because it is a park — looking pretty good and acceptable for the community as well.”

What can I grow?

Some harvests during this time of year include zucchini, tomato, eggplants, squash and peppers.

“Peppers love the heat and other plants do too, so there’s always something to harvest when you’re there,” he said.

The city’s public garden prohibits people from planting fruit trees, grapes, mint leaves and cacti. Some gardens already have fruit trees planted for people to use.

Maynard added that people on federal food assistance programs can use their EBT cards to buy plants as well.

“Everybody can do it, all they have to do is water … ” Maynard said. “We’re here to help them succeed and once they learn, they get hooked on it.”

Some garden plots are also accessible to people on wheelchairs, he said.

This story was originally published June 10, 2022 at 11:37 AM.