Imagine transforming vacant lots in your community into urban gardens that produce tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and a cornucopia of other produce to feed families.
The Urban Gardening Program provides gardening opportunities for interested community groups to transform city-owned vacant lots and select gardening spots in parks into community gardens, with the assistance of The Urban Gardener. Please note: not all vacant lots or parks are eligible for the project.
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is here to support you! A Houston Parks and Recreation Department horticulturist, oversees the project and helps community gardeners register, plan and get started on their garden. All community gardening lots must be used for gardens or farming only. Gardeners are responsible for attaining resources, getting materials, planting seeds and the day-to-day maintenance of the site including watering, fertilizing, etc.
Fees
Lots are annually contracted for a nominal fee on a first-come, first-served basis
Metropolitan Multi-Service Center Garden – October 28
The Metropolitan Multi-Service Center was the second new urban garden to be planted this fall. This garden and its raised beds were planted by 16 local volunteers, including a representative from Urban Harvest and some of the center’s employees. Two beds and a butterfly garden were planted. The beds include oregano, cilantro, chives, lettuce, kale, mustard greens, parsley, dill, fennel, and plants with edible flowers, including violas and calendulas. Sweet peas will be planted once cool weather sets in. (photos)
Sunnyside Park Urban Garden – October 7
Senior citizens from the Sunnyside Garden Club began the process of putting in an urban garden at Sunnyside Park on September 29 by preparing the soil and planting collard, cabbage, and cauliflower sprouts and several types of herbs. On October 7, they were joined by children from the third through fifth grades at Ethel Young Elementary School, just across the street from the park. Together they transformed two of the garden’s beds into the children’s own edible wonderland. The seniors from the Garden Club were there to help and advise them as they began to learn the fine points of gardening, skills they can enjoy throughout their lives. (photos)
