A listing of local community garden and farm operations within the south bay. (Each garden and farm includes a link to the operation’s website). Note that many of these area gardens have membership restrictions (residency, age, etc.) which we make note of.
Know of a site that’s not yet on our list? Please provide us with info so we can visit the site and get it listed…
Benton Teaching Garden (Santa Clara)
While not a community garden per se, the Teaching Garden operates as part of the Santa Clara Adult Education program. Students who enroll in the gardening class are allowed to tend a 100 square foot plot in addition to attending the Saturday morning classes. The school benefits from having a number of long term gardeners in addition to gardening neophytes. Sitting on about two acres of school property, the garden offers a reasonable alternative to those Santa Clara residents seeking a garden plot.The Teaching Garden is managed by SCAE.
Berryessa Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Berryessa Garden encompasses two acres, and is managed by volunteers.
Bestor Art Park Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Bestor Art Garden encompasses one quarter acre, and is managed by volunteers.
Calabazas Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Calabazas Garden encompasses one acre, and is managed by volunteers.
Cesar E. Chavez Community Garden (Milpitas)
Run as a partnership between the Milpitas Unified School District and the City of Milpitas, this popular garden has 48 plots and is located behind Weller School, on Dixon Landing Road.
Charles Street Gardens (Sunnyvale)
Sitting on an acre of land owned by the City of Sunnyvale, the 92 good sized
garden plots which make up Charles Street Gardens are open to people who are
Sunnyvale residents. Gardeners employ organic methods to grow flowers, fruits, and vegetables, and place an emphasis on California native plants in order to promote sustainability. Certain areas of the garden are designated common areas, including the Food Forest. The garden sponsors a variety of seminars, plant sales and other activities that are open to the general public.
Cornucopia Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jose metorpolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a first
come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Cornucopia Garden encompasses one acre, and is managed by volunteers.
Coyote Creek Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Coyote Creek Garden encompasses one acre, and is managed by volunteers.
Cupertino Community Garden (Cupertino)
The Cupertino Community Gardens is an organic garden consisting of over 60 plots, some 250 square feet and some 500 square feet in size. The two-acre community garden is located at the McClellan Ranch.
Discovery Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Discovery Garden encompasses one acre, and is managed by volunteers.
Edith Johnson Garden (Palo Alto)
The Edith Johnson community garden sits within the two and a half acre Edith Johnson Park. The park is named after Dr. Edith Eugenie Johnson, a physician and resident of Palo Alto from 1907 until the late 1960s. Dr. Johnson delivered more than 3500 babies into this world, so it’s fitting to remember her in this setting.
El Jardin Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The El Jardin Garden encompasses three acres, and is managed by volunteers.
El Quito Community Garden (Saratoga)
El Quito Park Community Garden has 17 plots and is managed by the city of Saratoga. The garden is located adjacent to (and shares a parking lot with) the Westhope Church, which is at 12850 Saratoga Avenue. Note that while non-residents are allowed to garden here, such members are limited to a two year stint and priority is still given to Saratoga residents.
Eleanor Pardee Garden (Palo Alto)
This location actually houses two different gardens. The first is a demonstration garden giving innovative approaches to edible landscaping, seasonally appropriate vegetable and fruit selections, methods of trellising and staking, soil preparations, and the use of mulch materials. Plots within the second area are open to public tending. The 9.6 acre Eleanor Pardee Park is the second largest park in Palo Alto, with the community garden portion of the park being an important component.
The Forge Garden (Santa Clara)
Santa Clara Universitys half-acre edible, organic garden operates as a hub for the school’s sustainable food system program. The Forge Garden is committed to serving the campus as a space for course research, service learning, and demonstration of sustainable food production.
Gilroy Demonstration Garden (Gilroy)
The Gilroy Demonstration Garden takes a little different approach to gardening instruction. With a motto of “Growing Community One Seed at a Time”, their three-quarter-acre edible classroom in downtown Gilroy is one large garden tended by volunteers. Each volunteer takes home a portion of the harvest. The garden offers educational programs and opportunities for local college students to intern and learn about farming techniques and ways of maintaining soil health.
Guadalupe Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Guadalupe Garden encompasses one acre, and includes a shade structure, picnic tables, a barbeque, compost bins, tool shed, and a sink for washing produce. There are also restrooms in nearby in Columbus Park.
Guadalupe Plus Phase 2 Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jose metorpolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a first
come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Guadalupe Plus Phase 2 Garden encompasses two acres.
Hamline Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Hamline Garden encompasses approximately one acre.
Heritage Park Demonstration Garden (Mountain View)
The demonstration garden at Heritage Park, located at 771 North Rengstorff
Avenue, is a community garden in the truest sense of the word. Unlike
traditional individualized plot-based gardens, the garden at Heritage Park,
which is operated by Soil&Water (a non-profit, volunteer based
organization), runs as a shared urban garden. Soil&Water, along with volunteers and the community, create the space and share its harvest. Community events and learning opportunities take place throughout the year at this garden location.
Jesse Frey Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Jesse Frey Garden encompasses approximately one acre.
La Colina Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The La Colina Garden encompasses three acres.
La Mesa Verde Sustainability Program (San Jose)
La Mesa Verde (LMV) is a program of Sacred Heart Community Services of San
Jos. The garden-at-home program was created to assist low-income working poor
as well as long-term unemployed residents, introducing them to growing organic vegetables in their own backyards. The program is instrumental in growing both food and community. while focusing on food, LMV contributes to the broader discussion of urban sustainability.
Laguna Seca Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Laguna Seca Garden encompasses one and a quarter acres.
Latimer Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Latimer Garden encompasses half an acre.
Los Gatos Community Gardens (Los Gatos)
During the school year, students practice the science of Agroecology; the high school agriculture / horticulture program may be the oldest of its kind within the state of California. Produce grown in the gardens during the school year gets used by Los Gatos High School. During the best growing months of the year, while the school is on summer break (from mid-June thru mid-September), an Adopt-A-Garden program is run which serves the community at large. The garden consists of 35 plots, a greenhouse, rabbit hutch, and tool shed.
Mayfair Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Mayfair Garden encompasses three and a half acres.
Morgan Hill Community Garden (Morgan Hill)
A community garden designed to bring the community of Morgan Hill together to reap the benefits of growing food in a social setting, in addition to providing classes throughout the year on topics such as gardening, environmental sustainability, health, nutrition, and human welfare. Gardening activities take place within 76 raised bed garden plots.
Nuestra Tierra Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Nuestra Tierra Garden encompasses five acres.
Palo Alto Main Community Garden (Palo Alto)
Consisting of 125 plots in which to grow organic fruits and vegetables, the garden offers a beautiful refuge in the heart of Palo Alto. An inviting spot in which to sit and enjoy the activities of butterflies and hummingbirds. The Palo Alto Garden encompasses one and a half acres.
Rainbow Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Rainbow Garden encompasses one quarter acre.
Santa Clara Community Garden (Santa Clara)
This beautiful 2 acre park on the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail features
playgrounds, picnic/barbecue areas, an open grass area, a native
plant/pollinator garden, off leash dog area and a restroom. The Community
Garden portion features a covered outdoor classroom and plots for children,
individuals and groups to grown their own organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers. (For more information, read our article about Santa Clara Community Garden).
Senior Center Community Garden (Mountain View)
The Senior Center Community Garden serves the senior community of Mountain View. Located down the street from the Mountain View Senior Center, on Escuela Avenue between Crisanto Avenue and Villa Street, the garden contains 63 individual garden plots. Garden participation is limited to those Mountain View residents who are at least 55 years of age.
Taylor Street Urban Farm (San Jose)
Tucked away beneath where highway 87 crosses over East Taylor Street, the one acre urban farming project previously known as Farm To Table provides a unique glimpse into what it means to operate a farm within an urban setting. In addition to growing the traditional fare of veggie offerings, the farm showcases low till farm techniques for farm and garden. (For more information, read our article about Taylor Street Farm).
Valley Verde (San Jose)
An organization which encourages more productive and sustainable community
food production, where low income families can enjoy a healthier lifestyle
through daily access to fresh, affordable organic vegetables. To achieve this, the group promotes the widespread cultivation of organic home grown vegetables in order to encourage healthier eating and address food insecurity (a state of being without reliable access to food that is healthy and affordable) in Santa Clara Valley.
Veggielution (San Jose)
A 6-acre community farm and gathering space located in Emma Prusch Farm Park in the Mayfair neighborhood. Through food-centered programs designed for all ages, the farm connects residents to each other and to people and resources from outside their community that will enable them to make change. Our farm provides a critical platform for these programs. Many East San Jos residents have deep and meaningful connections to agriculture. We seek to use our farm as a safe, accessible and well-maintained gathering space for the East San Jos community to reconnect to the land and to each other.
Wallenberg Community Garden (San Jose)
One of 18 community gardens within the San Jos metropolitan area. Grow plots
range in size from 10 x 10 to 20 x 30, and are assigned to residents on a
first come, first served basis. Gardeners employ organic growing methods to cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and herbs to fruits and flowers. Note that garden space is limited, there is an application process for new members, and many gardens have a waiting list. The Wallenberg Garden encompasses two acres.
Willowgate Community Garden (Mountain View)
A set of 92 individual garden plots at the end of Andsbury Avenue, Willowgate
Community Garden is open to adult Mountain View residents and city employees.
Gardeners employ organic techniques to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The gardens feature sharable tools in the shed, as well as a set of four picnic tables for sitting at to enjoy the garden.