Community Gardens
- Resources for urban gardeners
The Greening of Detroit guides and inspires others to transform miles of public and private open space -- including some of Detroit’s 60,000 vacant lots -- into usable, valuable resources. We’ve helped our planting partners to create hundreds green spaces including playgrounds, pocket parks, vegetable gardens and perennial gardens throughout the city.
Beyond the aesthetic value gained when vacant lots are reclaimed, urban agriculture can play a significant role in combating hunger and improving nutrition for Detroit families. A Rutgers University study showed that the average New Jersey community garden plot produced approximately $500 in vegetables during an average growing season, at an initial average cost of only $25. Our urban farmers gain a sense of empowerment and well-being when they have access to local food and greater control over their own food system.
Together with its partners in the Detroit Garden Resource Program Collaborative, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen/EarthWorks Garden, Michigan State University Extension, and the Detroit Agriculture Network, The Greening of Detroit is playing a leading role in promoting urban agriculture practices citywide. We’re helping Detroit’s home and community gardeners to grow their own food by providing guidance, soil testing, equipment, seeds and starter plants, compost and other resources. Workshops and training programs provide educational opportunities for gardeners, offering practical skills and techniques to increase participants’ success in their farming efforts. We also provide opportunities for urban gardeners to connect with each other to share resources and experiences.