Community Gardening and Gardening Classes
Community Gardening Community gardens are a place for all levels of gardener, from aspiring to master gardener. Join us and reap all of the benefits that community gardens offer. Access to delicious, nutritious, fresh food is just the beginning. Gardeners: • experience physical and mental health benefits • enjoy the sights and sounds of nature • meet people with a shared interest • carry out their own food culture • engage children in experiential learning • help their families develop healthy eating habits • learn tips from experts in our classes • join us at a community event The Bloomington Community Gardening Program provides the infrastructure so that you can grow your own food with little financial or material investment. We provide: • deer fencing • access to water • communal tools • composting • knowledgeable garden staff who are ready to help you • a monthly garden newsletter Visit bloomington.in.gov/parks/community-gardening or contact communitygardens@bloomington.in.gov for more information. Registration for new gardeners begins Wednesday, February 17 and continues until all plots are rented.
Financial assistance is available.
Butler Park Community Gardens
Nestled in the southwest corner of Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park at the intersection of West Ninth and North John Streets, Butler Park Community Garden is a place for members of the public to try their hand at organic gardening in rented plots. The garden includes 50 organic in-ground plots (available in two sizes), as well as three raised beds for rent.
Code
Annual cost
165201-A $40/in-city, $47/non-city 165201-B $40/in-city, $47/non-city 165201-C $53/in-city, $61/non-city
Description
Organic Small Plot (approx. 95 sq. ft) Organic Raised Bed (approx. 32 sq. ft) Organic Large Plot (approx. 140 sq. ft)
Switchyard Park Community Gardens
Located at the north end of the park, accessible by the B-Line Trail or the West Grimes Lane parking lot, Switchyard Park Community Garden is a place for members of the public to try their hand at organic gardening in rented raised beds.
Code
Annual cost
165203-A $40/in-city, $47/non-city
Description
Raised Bed (approx. 24–32 sq. ft)
Willie Streeter Community Gardens
In Winslow Woods Park on South Highland Ave., Willie Streeter Community Garden is a place for members of the public to try their hand at gardening in rented plots. The garden includes in-ground plots (available in two sizes), as well as raised beds for rent.
Code
8
Annual cost
165202-A $40/in-city, $47/non-city 165202-B $40/in-city, $47/non-city 165202-C $75/in-city, $87/non-city
Description Raised Bed (32 sq. ft) Small Plot (100 sq. ft) Large Plot (200 sq. ft)
Gardening Classes For more information, contact Sarah Mullin at 349-3704 or mullins@bloomington.in.gov. For ages 18 yrs. and up.
Dormant Fruit Tree Pruning
Learn how to prune and tend fruit trees during the dormant season. There will be a 30-minute instruction period followed by 90 minutes of hands-on pruning time with assistance from leaders. Please bring your own gloves and pruning equipment if you have it. We will have some supplies to share if necessary. Instructors: BCO Leaders Sa 2/6 • 2–4 p.m. • Register by 2/4. This class is donation based. Proceeds support the Bloomington Community Gardening Program and the Bloomington Community Orchard. Bloomington Community Orchard, 2120 S. Highland Ave.
Garden Tools 101
In gardening, knowing the right tool for the task is key. Using the proper tools in the correct way helps you find more success in your garden with less stress on the body. Learn about the tools that we keep around our gardens; some we will discuss include soil knives, stirrup hoes, hand pruners, spades and rakes. We will show you how and when to use them to yield the best results. Instructor: Marie Becker, Working Foreperson, City of Bloomington Landscaping W 3/10 • 5:30–7 p.m. • Register by 3/9 • 165205-A $10/in-city, $12/non-city Allison-Jukebox Community Center
TLC for Tools
Let’s get ready for spring! Bring your hand pruners and we will get technical. We will disassemble, clean, grease, reassemble and sharpen hand pruners. All good tools need some winter TLC and we will show you how. If you don’t have your own pair of pruners but would like to learn about tool TLC, we will have some extras that you can clean up for the Community Gardening Program. Instructor: Marie Becker, Working Foreperson, City of Bloomington Landscaping W 3/24 • 5:30–7 p.m. • Register by 3/23 • 165204-A $10/in-city, $12/non-city Allison-Jukebox Community Center
Gardening Success Starts with Soil Health
Learn techniques from soil health experts that will save you time and energy in the garden and help build the foundation for a garden that thrives. We will talk about the benefits of mulching, incorporating cover crops into your rotation, plant spacing, reducing soil disturbance, and building your soil microbiology. Instructors: Cara Bergschneider and Devin Brown Su 4/25 • 1:30–3:30 p.m. • Register by 4/23 • 165207-A $10/in-city, $12/non-city Willie Streeter Community Gardens
