Community Gardens in Lincoln
Community Crops coordinates many community gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska. The gardens are spread throughout the city to accommodate our participants. Our gardeners come from many different backgrounds and together they beautify our city while growing food for themselves. See the map below for the garden locations.
Plot fees are on a sliding scale basis, and financial assistance is available for everyone who qualifies.
If you have questions about the gardens, please contact us at mbaker@familyservicelincoln.org
How do I become a community gardener?
Our 2023 application process is underway. Timeline is detailed below:
Returning Gardener Applications are due by December 15th. Eligible gardeners grew with us in 2022 and completed all deadlines/requirements to return. Applications should have been emailed or mailed to all eligible gardeners in November. Follow-up with our team if you have questions.
Waitlist Applications for those who applied and couldn’t get a garden plot in 2022 are open December 15th-January 3rd.
New Gardener Applications are available January 3rd and due by March 31st, and any applications submitted after this will be automatically deferred to the wait-list. Our gardens typically fill up quickly, before the deadline. Apply by filling out the online application or visit our office, located at 2530 Q St. for a paper copy. Paper copies can also be mailed to you by request.
Community Crops Gardener Waitlist Application After April 1st, applications may be submitted to join our waitlist. This application lets us know that you are interested in growing with us and helps us plan for additional garden space needed to meet the needs of the community. If a garden you are interested in becomes available, we will send you a link to the full application. Garden assignments may be made up to June 1st if plots become available. After June 1st, no new assignments will be made until the following year.
Apply now to join our waitlist!
Community Gardening Plots and Fees
As a community gardener, you can expect to pay an annual plot fee, and an additional security deposit. Plot fees will differ based on the size of your plot, and if you qualify for financial assistance or not. Your security deposit, which covers set up and clean up costs, is roll-able or refundable if you clean up your plot at the end of the year. It will also differ based on if you garden with financial assistance or not.
One garden plot is equivalent to 100 sq. ft (10′ x 10′), which is equal to 9.3 sq. meters (3.05m x 3.05m). You can sign up for more than one plot, though we generally do not give more than 4 plots to one applicant due to demand and space limitations.
Below is the breakdown of the sizes and costs – both financial aid and full price rates are listed:
- 1 plot [100sq ft./9.3sq. meters]: $10-$75
- 2 plots [200 sq ft./18.6 sq. meters]: $20-$150
- 3 plots [300 sq. ft./27.9 sq. meters]: $30-$225
- 4 plots [400 sq. ft./37.2 sq. meters]: $40-$300
- A full price security deposit is $50, while reduced cost deposit for financial aid gardeners is $25, regardless of plot size.
Email mbaker@familyservicelincoln.org or call our office at 402.474.9802 if you have questions about our program!
Community Crops Garden Locations
| 17th & F | Antelope (35th & Sumner)
|
Southern Heights (40th & Old Cheney) | Gere Library *limited* |
| Newman Church (23rd & S) | Oak Lake Church (1st & Adams)
|
Peter Pan Park (30th & Overland Trail) | Alpha Kappa Alpha (14th & D) *limited* |
| Mustard Seed (70th & Adams) | Willard (S. Folsom & W. B St) | 14th and Hudson | Knyaw *limited* |
Become a Community Garden Sponsor
Local businesses are instrumental in providing community garden space. It’s great recognition for the business, and means more resources for growing food for the gardeners!