Community Gardens

Plots are rented in the garden on a seasonal and yearly basis for non-commercial gardening of flowers, fruits and vegetables. 

This is a great option if you don't have a space for a garden at home. The Community Garden is the perfect place to connect with nature and to spend time with friends and neighbours.

Types of plots

Seasonal plots can be leased from mid-May to October 31 and are available in three sizes:

• Quarter plot (10 feet x 10 feet)
• Half plot (10 feet x 20 feet)
• Full plot (20 feet x 20 feet)

Perennial plots are only available in half and full size plots, and can be leased from May to May (following year). 

2018 plot rental fees

Prices include HST.

Services

Gardeners are responsible for maintaining their garden plots throughout the season, including watering, pruning, harvesting, and pest/disease control. We offer the following services to gardeners:

• On-site water and disposal bins
• Spring bed preparation (soil tiling) for seasonal plots only

Availability

• Offers of renewal are sent to existing gardeners in February
• Existing gardeners must confirm their acceptance of renewal in February in order to guarantee they can continue to lease the same garden plot
• Interested gardeners must email us to request a plot
• If a plot is not available residents will be added to a waiting list and contacted when a plot becomes available.

If you have a group or are part of an organization that has an idea for a collective garden, email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca for an application package. Staff will work with you to help develop your application. Applications are not being accepted for new gardens at this time. To be notified when the next application period opens, email naturalenvironment@richmondhill.ca.

Groups/organizations approved to start a collective garden on public land are expected to:

• Create and adhere to a transparent governance and membership structure for the garden
• Appoint a Garden Coordinator to be the main point of contact with the Town
• Create a garden plan that includes goals, activities and budget for the garden
• Coordinate all activities, events and volunteers for the garden
• Provide all plant material
• Conduct all planting, weeding, harvesting, watering, mulching, pruning, cleanup
• Follow all guidelines, rules and regulations set out in the Collective Garden Handbook and in a Collective Garden Agreement between the Town and the garden group/organization
• Secure additional funding for the garden as needed

Approved collective gardens may receive assistance from the Town for some or all of the following:

• Site selection, public consultation and development of Collective Garden Agreements
• Initial construction and site preparation (ie. clearing site, building garden beds, fencing)
• Garbage and compost receptacles
• Signage
• Water hook-up where feasible and ongoing cost for water
• Garbage and organics pick-up
• Tilling and soil amendments (including provision of wood chips)
• Promotion
• Support for groups who choose to apply for additional funding from grants