Looking for a way to get those green thumbs digging in the dirt? Washtenaw County offers plenty of community gardens for local residents to try their hand at gardening. Garden plot rentals are the perfect solution for families that may not have the green space readily available. Plot reservations are filling up quickly, but many offer waiting lists for spots that may become available in the future. Reserve your spot today!
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living Discovery Garden
Fee: $50 for one plot, $80 for two.
Plots: This garden was created for children, youth, and adults with disabilities to give them a completely accessible gardening experience. There are sixteen raised beds in total, twelve of which are fully handicap accessible. Plots are 24-34 square feet. Concrete paths, completely wheelchair accessible to the tool shed.
3941 Research Park Dr., Ann Arbor. 734-971-0277. annarborcil.org.Â
Contact: Beth Wichterman at bmwichterman@gmail.com
Chelsea Community Garden
Fee: Each plot is $20, with a $20 annual rental fee.
Plots: This all-organic garden offers forty 20 by 20 plots. Members are required to work eight hours of community service at the gardens each year. The garden has a water tower and a large suite of compost bins. Two tool sheds house a variety of hand and power tools. Members also share in a bounty of crops, such as blueberry, rhubarb, and asparagus.
Sibley Rd., Chelsea. 734-719-0035. facebook.com/chelsea.community.garden.
Contact: 734-719-0035, email: info@chelseamigardens.org
Children’s Services Community Garden
Fee: Covered by local sponsors
Plots: This garden pairs with Washtenaw County Master Gardeners and offers two courtyards with 7-8 beds each. Students do the planting, tending, and harvesting with help from the garden experts.
4125 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor.Â
Contact: www.washtenaw.org/187/Childrens-Services-Community-Garden
City of Dexter Community Garden
Fee: Full plots are $80 with a $20 refundable deposit, and half plots are $50 with a $20 refundable deposit.
Plots: Full plots measure 20 by 20, and half plots of 10 by 20 are also available. Herbicides, insecticides, and inorganic fertilizers are prohibited. Clean-up is required at the end of the season.
7651 Dan Hoey Rd., Dexter. 734-426-8303. dextermi.gov/community/community_garden.php.Â
Contact: 734-426-8303, email Olga Austin at Austin.olga@gmail.com
EMU Giving Garden
Fee: 4 by 4 plots $5, 6 by 6 plots $10
Plots: Available to EMU students, faculty, and Ypsilanti residents.
24 Westview St., Ypsilanti. facebook.com/thegivinggardenemu.Â
Contact: thegivinggarden.emu@gmail.com
The Farm at St. Joe’s
Fee: 10 by 9 and 10 by 10 plots for $15, 10 by 12 plots for $20, 10 by 15 plots for $25. $20 refundable deposit required.
Plots: Available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The fees cover the use of plot, compost, water, pathway, and fence maintenance.
5301 McAuley Dr., Ypsilanti. 734-712-4667. stjoesfarm.org.Â
Contact: Rozelle Copeland at Rozelle.Copeland@stjoeshealth.org
Growing Hope Urban Farm
Fee: Funded through outside sources
Plots: This 1.4-acre community space teaches youth and adults how to grow fresh food with workshops, events, field trips, and volunteer training.
922 West Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. 734-786-8401. growinghope.net.Â
Contact: 734-786-8401 or growinghope.net
Pittsfield Township Community Garden
Fee: 10 by 4 raised beds for $30, 6 by 4 double raised beds on ADA accessible surface for $25, 4 by 4 table height beds on ADA accessible surface for $20.
Plots: The organic garden features compost bins, equipment shed, water access, rain barrels, and a picnic area. There is also a native pollinator garden.
6201 W. Michigan Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-822-3135. pittsfield-mi.gov/1635/Community-Garden.
Contact: 734-822-3135 or email gardening@pittsfield-mi.govÂ
Project Grow
Fee: Varies by Location
This local organization promotes organic gardening and helps connect gardeners with open plots in the community. It also offers classes and events, along with volunteer opportunities. Project Grow has a few community gardens around Washtenaw County, so be sure to check out their website to pick which garden is right for you.
Various locations. 734-996-3169. projectgrowgardens.org.Â
Contact: 734-996-3169 or apply through their website.
Saline Community Garden
Plots: Come enjoy either a 4 by 6.5 raised bed plot, 4 by 10 plot, and 10 by 10 plot to grow with! This also comes along with a water spigot and compost bin. Unfortunately, the Saline Community Garden is sold out of plots for the 2021 season. But they’ll have more plots available next season.
Woodland Drive, Saline. 734-401-4020. salineschools.org/saline-community-garden.Â
Contact: salinecommunityeducation@gmail.com
Ypsilanti District Library
Plots: Whittaker Garden encourages youth and families to plant seeds, harvest plants, and learn about the science of gardening. Michigan Branch features a pollinator garden and two raised beds for community members to plant and harvest produce. Superior Branch welcomes all levels of volunteer gardeners, and fresh produce is given away to library patrons throughout the growing season.
Whittaker Branch: 5577 Whittaker Rd., Ypsilanti. Michigan Branch: 229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti. Superior Branch: 8795 MacArthur Blvd., Ypsilanti. 734-482-4110. Ypsilibrary.org.Â
Contact: ypsilibrary.org
Don’t see your favorite community garden? Let us know! Email us at annarboreditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com or leave a comment to have us include your favorite Community Garden!
