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Learn about and practice some great community gardening methods!

Community gardens can be a great way to try out your green thumb if you don’t have gardening space where you live or if your yard isn’t optimal for planting. 

Community gardens consist of plots of land, usually owned by the city,  that are tended to by a group of people usually to grow food or flowers. There are a number of community gardens scattered around Columbia. These gardens provide a multitude of environmental, social, and educational benefits for the communities where they are located.

Community gardens can provide food for those in need and provide a place for community members to connect with each other. They can also be used to teach children about nutrition, measuring, plants, and the environment. 

If you are looking for a community garden near you, look no further than Granby Park located in the Mill District!

The community garden plots in Granby Park are available for a yearly lease through the City of Columbia. To find out how to lease a plot and to fill out an application, go here.

If you are interested in learning more about community gardening and participating in some great gardening workshops, come out to Granby Park on May 11th from 10 AM to 1 PM for an educational planting day! Hear from park rangers and participate in hands-on workshops about container gardening, composting with worms, and building solitary bee houses. A food truck will also be available at the event! 

If you plan on coming out, please be sure to bring a non-pop-top can to make your own solitary bee house for your yard or for the community garden. 

You can also learn from two experienced Granby Park gardeners Heyward Hickman and Alex Tovar. During the planting day event, they will share information about their Granby garden plots and some tips and tricks on how to make your garden plot the best it can be.

Heyward and Alex are growing a variety of foods including habanero peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and even small melons! They garden using the square foot gardening method which is commonly used in smaller urban settings where space may be limited.

The group also uses organic gardening practices and companion plants like marigolds that help attract beneficial insects and pollinators. 

For a family-friendly day out, be sure to come see us at Granby Park on May 11 to enjoy this year’s Gardening Day!

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