For Gardeners
Did you know? Groups can lease Minneapolis-owned vacant lots for community gardens.
Hydrant garden permit for community gardens
The Water Works Permit Office issues garden permits to neighborhood organizations when requested and they have legal documentation from owner given permission to use land.This permit allows garden groups to use a specific fire hydrant for their project. These permits are issued seasonally. For questions call (612) 673-2865 or write to:
Minneapolis Water Treatment and Distribution
Room 224, Public Service Center
250 South 4th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Grants for community garden water access
The City Public Works Department has established a new pilot grant project to assist in improving permanent water access for community gardens. The project makes matching grants up to $2,000 available to nonprofit community gardens on a first come first served basis. Community garden water access information and application materials (pdf) are available online.
Minneapolis Local Food Resource Hubs Network
- Do you want to grow your own food, but don’t know how?
- Are you interested in low-cost seeds, seedlings, wood chips or classes?
- Do you want to become part of a neighborhood-based support network of urban gardeners?
If the answer to these or related questions is "yes," then join a Local Food Resource Hub, an initiative of the City of Minneapolis, community partners, and Gardening Matters.
The hubs are designed to get Minneapolis residents and community gardeners the tools and education they need to grow, preserve, cook and compost their own fresh produce, by offering supplies, classes and connections. To reserve your membership spot, contact Gardening Matters at (612) 821-2358 or download the membership form (in English, Spanish, Hmong or Somali) online.
The Local Food Resource Hubs Network was a recommendation originating from Homegrown Minneapolis, a comprehensive initiative of the City of Minneapolis to improve the growing, processing, distribution, consumption and waste recovery of healthy, sustainable, locally grown foods within the city. This program is made possible in part by funding from the Minneapolis Health Department and the Statewide Health Improvement Program.
Minnesota Brownfields has funding to help clean up properties to become community gardens
Minnesota Brownields received Environmental Response Fund funding in 2013 to provide small grants for environmental assessment and clean-up of property in contamination levels at proposed redevelopment and community garden sites. The fund is intended to be used for unexpected environmental issues, to prepare for a larger funding request in the County testing cycle, or to identify/clarify and, in some cases, remediate suspected environmental concerns. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis. Eligible community garden sites must be either owned or controlled by a public entity or a nonprofit organization. The application (pdf) asks for city approval, but formal authorization was passed by the City Council on May 13, 2011, so Minneapolis community garden applicants do not need to take additional steps to provide it.
For private property, soil testing for lead, salt and other nutrient tests can be completed by sending soil samples into the University of Minnesota’s Soil Testing laboratory as described on their website. Lead testing costs $15.
Lawn/Garden & Professional Turf Tests
Farm/Commercial Horticultural Fields Tests
Last updated Mar. 14, 2013