How to Join a Community Garden

Each and every GreenThumb community garden is volunteer-led, self-governing, and represents the talents, creativity, and collaboration of the people who give their time to these important community resources. You can get involved by joining a garden as a member or volunteer.

Finding a Garden

The first step to becoming a volunteer community gardener is to find a garden near you.

We always suggest taking a walk around your neighborhood to see the gardens in person. Visit during open hours, talk to the members present, and reach out directly to the gardens with the contact information on the map to learn more about getting involved.

Check out our map of community gardens to see
which gardens are in your neighborhood!

If you’re looking for more info on finding the right garden, here are some other steps you can take:

• Watch our "How to Join a GreenThumb Community Garden" webinar playlist on our YouTube channel to learn the basics of joining a community garden from longtime GreenThumb community gardeners.
• Reach out to your local GreenThumb Community Engagement Coordinator for assistance.
• For more information about GreenThumb gardens and programs, contact us.

Gardener Responsibilities

GreenThumb community gardens have an active season from April to October, when the public can visit at scheduled times. Volunteer activities include caring for the garden, providing a space to grow plants and food, and organizing public events.

What to Expect

Community gardens are not just about growing food! Some prefer to grow ornamental plants, some focus on education, and some love to host events, gatherings, or cultural programs. The process of joining a garden varies by group to group, but here are some general expectations.

• Gardeners work together to take care of communal spaces and maintenance tasks.
• Gardens need many different people and skill sets to support all parts of the garden's function! Gardening, community outreach, volunteer management, carpentry, finance, grant writing, event planning, communications, and so much more all contribute to a garden's success.
• Volunteer members usually assist with keeping the garden open to the public by being present during the garden's open hours to answer questions and monitor activities. These public hours must be posted on the garden's gate.
• Some gardens request a membership fee to cover expenses associated with the garden maintenance and operation. This fee is waived in cases of financial hardship as outlined by individual garden group bylaws.
• The GreenThumb Gardeners’ Handbook is a comprehensive resource for community gardeners and the general public that answers frequently asked questions regarding a variety of topics for GreenThumb community garden groups.