applying for a garden plot

How can I get a garden plot?

The first step is picking a garden location and filling out an application! Click here to learn more about how to apply and what to expect.

How big are the garden plots?

Plot dimensions vary, but most are considered full plots and roughly 15’ x 15’. Half plots are about 10’ x 10’.

How much does it cost?

Annual plot rental fees are determined by a sliding scale and range from $40 to $70 per season. In addition to the plot fee, all gardeners must pay a $25 deposit per plot which is returned to gardeners at the end of the year as long as they clean up and winterize their garden plot by Closing Day. Scholarships are also available to cover the plot fee.

Why aren’t half plots half the price of full plots?

Great question! Though the half plots are smaller, gardeners are still privy to the full scope of all the other resources we offer, like the workshops, tools, composted manure, and straw. They’re the smaller option for gardeners who might not have as much time to commit to weeding and planting but still want to be involved.

How many community gardens are there?

We have 10 community gardens around Missoula plus a hospital garden which is open to the public, but plots are not available to rent.

Where are the community gardens located? Which one is closest to me?

Good question! Here’s a Google Maps overview with all the garden locations. Since a garden plot will require daily visits 7 months out of the year, we recommend finding one near your home, workplace, daycare, or along your daily commute.

Where am I most likely to get a garden plot?

Current community gardeners can keep their plots year after year, which means newly available plots vary from year to year and are impossible to predict at each site. The larger gardens, Northside, River Road, ASUM, and Meadow Hill Community Gardens, are the most likely to have availability each year. On the flip side, unfortunately, it may take several years for a plot to open up at the small gardens, like Ivy Street and Second Street Community Gardens. The Community Garden List includes the number of plots for each site, so you can see how big or small a garden is. You also have the option in the application to select “any garden location,” which means we will place you wherever a plot opens up first!

Where can I learn more about the gardens?

Check out this list. We’ve got a bit about each garden with locations linked.

Why do I have to pick two gardens in the application?

Some gardens have more available plots than others. We place gardeners in a lottery process, and with two gardens on your list, you’re entered into two lotteries! Plus, we allow returning gardeners to transfer garden locations each year, so if your first choice is a garden with low turnover (like the Ivy Street Community Garden), this will increase your odds of getting into that garden eventually via transferring.

I’ll garden anywhere! Should I still pick two gardens on my application?

Include any preference for garden location on your application. However, you also have the option to select “any garden location,” which means we will place you wherever a garden plot is available first across all 10 sites.

How will I know if I’m selected for a plot?

You will receive an email from Garden City Harvest Community Garden staff. Check your email inbox regularly. If you do not see an email from us, don’t forget to check your spam or promotions folder. You can expect an email anytime after the spring application deadline, and before May 1st. If you apply after the spring application deadline, there’s a chance that you can still receive a plot, but you will automatically be placed on the waiting list, so it may take a while for a plot to open up anytime between late spring to mid-summer.

If you were not selected for a plot that spring, you would receive an email notification that you are on the waiting list by Community Gardens Opening Day. Garden City Harvest will also prioritize your application the following year.

the Waiting List

I applied last year but didn’t hear from you. Should I reapply?

Nope! You’ll still be on the waiting list, and Garden City Harvest will prioritize for the following year if your application is over a year old. You can always email us to make sure you’re still on the list if you’re worried (like if you possibly missed the email).

How long is the waiting list?

The waiting list varies for each garden site. Generally speaking, the smaller the garden, the longer the waitlist. The longest waiting list we have is for Ivy Street Community Garden. Because we prioritize returning gardeners who want to transfer, we rarely fill a spot at Ivy Street with someone off the waitlist.

How can I get a plot faster?

If it has been over two years and you have not received a plot, it’s worth checking in with us. Some gardens are small and have a very low turnover rate, as we mentioned before. But, if you’re ready for a garden, we can likely offer a different garden spot. The list of gardeners who want to transfer is much shorter than our waitlist, which would increase your odds of eventually getting a plot where you want.

Current Gardeners

What’s Opening Day?

Opening Day is the official start to the community garden season. It usually occurs the 4th Saturday in April. Many garden leadership teams organize a seed swap or potluck to celebrate and bring people together, so keep your eyes peeled for information about that. Regardless, this is a great time of year to start digging into your plot and to meet you garden neighbors!

Can I keep gardening in the same plot next year?

Yes! As long as you take care of your plot throughout the current season and winterize it properly by our Closing Day deadline, you are welcome to return to your plot year after year. You can always email us to let us know you’d like to transfer plots or gardens, and we’ll prioritize making that happen before placing new gardeners in the spring.

What if I want to switch garden plots?

Just email Garden City Harvest Community Garden Staff and let us know. We’ll follow up with you before Opening Day or whenever we have another plot opening.

I moved! Can I switch garden locations?

Yes! Email us to let us know your move and where you’d like to transfer. Also, if you move, please email the community garden staff to update our records. We send all gardeners an end-of-year thank you and their plot deposit by mail!

What should I do if I can’t keep gardening? (i.e., new job, new house, new baby, or my life’s too crazy!)

Email us and let us know! We completely understand that life changes happen, and we can’t always keep up with the garden. No judgment! The sooner we know you’re out, the sooner we stop pestering you with emails and can get a new gardener into that spot. If it’s just busy for a season, but you’ll be back next year, you can ask a friend/neighbor/coworker to tend the plot in your place for a bit. Let us know that, too, so we can keep our emails going to the right person.

How do I claim my plot for the next growing season?

By emailing us to confirm, you’ll be coming back! We accept these RSVPs from January 1st to March 15th. We’ll send you an email prompt to let us know, but it’s good to mark your calendar, too.

What’s Closing Day? Do I have to come?

Closing Day (October 22, 2023) is when you pull your no longer producing plants and clean out your plot to prepare for winter. Yes! This is how you secure your deposit’s return. Learn more here.

When do I get my deposit back?

Deposits will be returned in December. Because of our large volume of gardeners, it takes a little while. We appreciate your patience! If you’d like to donate your deposit back into our scholarship program, shoot us an email to let us know. If you paid your deposit with a credit card, it would be returned electronically to that account. If you paid with cash or check, we would mail you a check, which may take an extra week or two to process.

I think I’m missing emails. Do you have any tips?

If you’re missing emails from us, they’re likely getting stuck in your promotions or spam folder. You can help redirect them to your inbox by adding the community gardens staff to your contacts. Or, if you’ve ever tried to unsubscribe from any Garden City Harvest email list, you won’t receive any emails from any associated email addresses. If that’s the case, feel free to email a garden manager. We can manually remove you from mailing lists in a way that won’t block our informational emails!

How do I get a second plot?

It depends! Typically, we only give one plot per household because there is such high demand, and we want to make sure everyone has some growing space. However, occasionally (depending on the year and garden site), we can offer second plots to current gardeners. In this case, we may give it to a current gardener in good standing who has expressed interest in a second plot. So! If you’re a current gardener in good standing, just email Emily (emily@gardencityharvest.org) to let her know. We will note this in your file and let you know if a second plot becomes available.

volunteering & getting involved

How do I get more involved?

We welcome volunteers! Sign up to receive emails with upcoming volunteer opportunities here.

If you are a community gardener, become a garden mentor or join your garden's leadership committee! Contact Sara (sara@gardencityharvest.org) for more information.

Can I sign up for your workshops if I’m not a gardener?

Absolutely! Check our events page for upcoming workshops.

What is the leadership committee?

This is a volunteer position for community gardeners at their garden. Committee members help organize garden workdays and social events and help staff communicate and educate their fellow gardeners. Garden leaders help cultivate the community in community gardening. More info here.

General Questions

Can I use your compost bins if I’m not a gardener?

Unfortunately, no. We love composting, but our systems can only take so many inputs and are limited to use by the community gardeners who help us turn it. If you’d like to use a compost service, we recommend Soil Cycle or Missoula Compost Collection.

Where do you get your straw?

We buy from a local bulk producer that, unfortunately, doesn’t sell to individuals. If you’re looking for a single bale or two, check out Ace Hardware, Murdoch’s, or a local nursery. Straw is usually seasonally available from September to October.

Where do you get your compost or manure?

We deliver composted manure to each of our garden sites every spring. A rancher in the Bitterroot Valley kindly donates our composted manure. However, before that, we used Huls Dairy. Many of our local nurseries also supply organic compost or manure.