Transforming places into community assets through urban gardening

 

The deadline for applications for a 2012 community garden grant has passed, and we are in the midst of choosing our grant winners. Grant applications for 2013 projects will be available on our website in June 2012, with a deadline of the first Friday in August.
 

The local food movement has led to an increased interest in collaborative efforts to build locally based, self reliant food economies, such as community gardens. At KIB, we generally think of community gardens as any urban plot of land where vegetables are grown and community relationships are built.

Community gardens can be found in neighborhoods or at schools and may consist of a single garden or one subdivided to provide space for multiple plots. Whether you came here in search of information about starting a garden or participating in an existing gardening project, KIB has all the information you will need to begin any sized garden project.

Riley School Gardens Program

In an effort to combat childhood obesity among Indy’s children, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, in partnership with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) and Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) will begin construction on 10 school gardens this week. This sustainable Riley School Gardens program will involve children in growing, harvesting, and preparing seasonal produce, ensure access to nutritious food, and create a living learning environment for students.

Garden locations for this initiative include: IPS # 27 (CFI 3); 545 E. 19th St., IPS # 31 James A Garfield; 307 Lincoln St., IPS # 42 Elder Diggs; 1002 W. 25th St., IPS # 43 James Whitcomb Riley; 150 W. 40th St., IPS # 49 William Penn; 1720 W. Wilkins, IPS # 55 Eliza A. Blaker; 1349 E. 54th St., IPS # 93 George H. Fisher; 7151 E. 35th St., IPS # 96 Meredith Nicholson; 3651 N. Kiel Ave., IPS # 106 Robert Lee Frost; 5301 Roxbury Rd; and IPS # 572 Emma Donnan; 1202 E. Troy Ave.

If you are thinking about starting a community garden, there are many online resources.  These are just a few suggestions from KIB staff.

• Purdue University Extension - Marion County is great place to start researching community gardening. The page contains listings of general gardening resources, as well as specifics on growing a variety of plants. There is also a section that contains articles about the impact community gardening has on the environment.
• Indiana Organic Gardeners Association is a great resource if you are interested in organic gardening.
• Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar is a great resource that will tell you when to plant a variety of vegetables. It also provides basic background on optimal temperatures and frost zones throughout Indiana.
•  Indiana Fruit and Vegetable Harvest calendar provides the most favorable dates for harvest fruits and vegetables in Indiana. 
• Urban Harvest is a Houston based organization that provides gardening tips and techniques. Be sure to check out the Gardening Advice section to learn more about specific garden types, composting, and pest. If you are interested in starting a new garden, this site can provide you with list of supplies, gardening basics, and construction ideas that will be very helpful.
• American Community Gardening Association is a great general site for beginning your search for information on community gardening. Check out the “10 Tips Series” that provides downloadable material on starting a garden. There is also a community gardens locator that will allow you to search for nearby gardens.
• TLC Network provides a step by step article providing the reader with introductory, organizational, and planting instructions. This site is for beginners with links for more advanced gardeners. 

If you are ready to start a community garden, IPL Project Greenspace may be able to help.

• How-To Guide on Creating your own Garden

• How-To Guide on Creating your own GreenSpace
  

• Detailed Maintenance Agreement for your GreenSpace
  

• Printable GreenSpace Brochure

Not sure about starting your own garden?  There are existing community gardening initiatives that could use your help.  Here are just a few currently operating in Indianapolis.

• Capital City Garden Project is run by the Purdue Extension - Marion County, is a hub for community gardeners seeking information and even includes a demonstration garden.  To get more information about Capital City call (317) 275-9305.
• Community Garden Resource Center started by Broadway United Methodist Church, offers classes on community gardening.  To learn more about getting involved with the resource center call (317) 473-4269.
• Felege Hiywot Center teaches gardening and environmental preservation to urban youth.  For more information about the center call (317) 545-2245 or email info@fhcenter.org.
• Growing Places Indy is an organization working to sustain and enhance the local foods economy and community in Indianapolis by developing the Culture of food and urban agriculture in Indianapolis.  To participate in this great project email urbanearthindy@gmail.com.
• Indy [Grows] Gardens is an organization that envisions the establishment of a community garden in every Indianapolis neighborhood.  To learn more about what you can do for Indy call (317) 709-3440 or email mail@indygrowsgardens.org.
• Indy Tilth is a grassroots organization focused on gardening and urban sustainability and has a listing of resources as well as a calendar of local events.  For more information on how to get involved with Indy Tilth contact indytilth@gmail.com.

Indianapolis is home to many community gardens, here are just a few we have unearthed. 

To get a current listing of community gardens near you call the Purdue Extension Master Garden Answerline at (317) 275-9292.

• Green Broad Ripple, 61st Street between Winthrop and Guilford, to find out about this project call  (765) 744-9665 or email questions to info@greenbroadripple.org.
• Pot O'Gold Community Garden, Washington Park North Cemetery, call (317) 387-7000 for more information.
• Mayor's Garden Plots at Eagle Creek, 56th Street and Reed Road, call (317) 327-7418 to learn more.
• Mayor's Garden Plots at Tibbs, 2400 Tibbs Avenue, call (317) 327-7418 to learn more.
• Hawthorne Community Garden, 244 West Ohio Street, call (317) 637-4312 for more information.
• Englewood Community Garden, 57 North Rural Street, call (317) 639-1541 to find out more.
• Shalom Community Gardens, 29th Street and Fall Creek Parkway.
• Calvary Lutheran Community Garden, 6200 Orinoco Ave, call (317) 783-2000 to learn more.
• New Hope Community Garden, 7001 S. Arlington Ave, to find out about this garden call (317) 881-6204.

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