Living Earth Community Garden is fully managed and sponsored by the Living Earth Center. Living Earth Center is a non-profit fully incorporated as a 501c3 charitable organization. It is sponsored in part by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, as well through the generosity of donors.
Please carefully read the information below before registering.
Welcome to the 2021 Gardening Season at the Living Earth Community Garden!
If you are new to the Living Earth Community Garden, please fill out a registration form on this page. We will reach out to you to confirm if a garden plot is available by no later than March 31st. If no plots are available, we will automatically place you on a waitlist. If you submit payment and space is not available, you will be fully refunded.
Being part of the Living Earth Community Garden is more than just having a place to grow food. We consider ourselves a community growing space in many different ways and have programs, workshops, volunteer opportunities and regular events that we encourage you to attend and participate in. If you have never gardened before, have no fear, we have a new gardener training program to help you grow and learn as well.
Below are some things to keep in mind prior to signing up:
COVID REGULATIONS
Due to COVID many of the policies and dates that we have now, may change. Please be ready to adapt as the pandemic evolves. The Garden will officially be opened on Saturday, April 24th for Garden Clean Up, Pot Luck and Seed Swap. More information will be forthcoming.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY
There is no garden experience required to garden at the Living Earth Community Garden! We welcome everyone with any level of gardening experience. Each plot must have a primary gardener (the primary person responsible for the plot) who fills out a garden contract. Anyone who gardens at the community garden including family and friends must fill out a garden liability form before entering the garden. Please note, failure to have forms submitted may result in your being asked to leave the garden or have your plot forfeited.
RETURN GARDENERS
New this year! Please read the following updates for the 2021 Season:
1) Virtual Update Meeting: Return gardeners do not have to attend in person meet and greet trainings. Instead, we ask that you join a virtual update meeting that will go over new things happening in the Garden. The virtual meeting will take place Wednesday, April 14th at 5:30 PM via Zoom.
2) Garden Clean Up, Pot Luck and Seed Swap- The Garden Opening and Pot Luck Event will take place on Saturday, April 24th from 10:30-2:30 PM. In addition to volunteering to get the garden ready for the season, gardeners
3) Clean Up Fine- please note that if you garden is not properly cleaned up at the end of the year, we will be charging a $30 clean up fee.
NEW GARDENERS|
Garden Trainings- In order to have a full understanding of all the guidelines at the Garden. We ask that once you have been informed that there is plot available, you attend a New Gardener Training to select your plot and go over gardening basics.
1) Monday April 20th at 5:30 at the Living Earth Community Garden (170 Good Counsel Dr., Mankato MN)
2) Tuesday April 27th at 5:30 at Living Earth Community Garden (170 Good Counsel Dr., Mankato MN)
3) By appointment with the Garden Manager
GARDEN GATHERING AND SEED SWAP
We invite you to join your fellow gardeners to officially open the Barn doors and get the garden ready on Saturday, April 24th from 10:30-2:30 PM (with a potluck lunch break). We will gather together (rain or shine) to help get the barn cleaned up, the tools ready and the garden plots turned over. This fun day is a great way to meet other gardeners, give back to the community and swap some seeds. Please bring a dish to pass.
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT
We ask all gardeners to join a “team” that contributes to the maintenance of the Garden or works to build a strong Garden community. Please sign up for one Volunteer Team for the season. Time commitment varies from team to team. We ask that all gardeners record their volunteer hours on our volunteer record in the Barn.
PLOT PAYMENT AND FEES
Plots are priced on a sliding scale. The first plot is $40, each additional plot is $10. We invite gardeners who can afford more to pay more if they are willing. This fee will go toward expenses of the community garden (electricity, water bills, compost, toilet fees, tools, maintenance, and education etc.). The fee includes ONE wheel barrow of compost per plot, water, the use of tools, and access to the barn. Gardeners will be charged $30 for every plot that is not fully picked up at the end of the season.
RETURN GARDENERS- Welcome back for the 2021 Garden Season!
Please fill out the from below by no later than March 1st to secure your garden plots from last year. If registration is not received, your plot will be forfeited and new gardeners will have an option to register for plots on a first come- first served basis. Payment is due by no later than March 31st to secure your spot. Nobody is turned away for inability to pay. If you are in need of a scholarship this year, please contact lpeterson@ssndcp.org. All return gardeners must attend a 30 minute virtual garden update meeting Wednesday, April 14th at 5:30 PM via Zoom. If you are unable to make it, please contact lpeterson@ssndcp.org.
NEW GARDENERS- Please fill out the form below. Plots will be assigned on a first come first served basis depending on availability. You will be informed if you have received a plot by no later than March 31st, otherwise, you will be placed on a waitlist and contacted until a plot opens up.
For questions, please contact Laura Peterson, Living Earth Center, at 507-389-4272 or email lpeterson@ssndcp.org