Garden FAQ
Simply put, the waitlist is long because there is a limited number of garden plots, and a lot of Portland residents that want to garden! As an organization that loves to see people growing their own affordable and nutritious food, we are happy to see there is so much interest. At the same time, we know it can be discouraging to wait a long time for a garden plot. We work hard to maintain an up-to-date waitlist and to contact you as soon as a plot at one of your three garden selections becomes available. Please note that some gardens tend to have more turnover than others, so individuals waiting for a plot at those gardens may receive one faster.
Yes! Once you submit your waitlist application, you are on our waitlist, but each year we will send out an email asking you to confirm that you would like to continue to stay on the waitlist. This helps us ensure that the waitlist is full of people who are still interested and eligible for a plot. You will need to respond to this email in a timely manner (exact timing is announced with the email we send), because if we do not hear from you, we will assume you are no longer interested and remove your name from the waitlist. When you confirm your interest to stay on the waitlist, you can update your contact information as well so that we can contact you efficiently when your name does come up!
Unfortunately, no. The garden plots are given out first come, first served, regardless of whether you volunteer with us or are connected to Cultivating Community in another way. However, we do prioritize individuals and families that self-identify as having limited financial resources, and move their name to the top of the list so that they are able to grow food for themselves and their households in order to increase household food security. If you identify as having limited financial resources, please indicate that in your waitlist application or send us an email at garden@cultivatingcommunity.org to update your status.
It’s so exciting when you finally get a garden plot! We will reach out to you by email (or phone if you indicated that preference) to let you know that there is a garden plot available for you. You will have about a week to respond and confirm that you want the plot. If we do not hear from you, we will move on to the next names on the waitlist (just another reason it’s important to keep your contact information up to date!). After you confirm your interest, you will be asked to register, which involves providing contact information, paying for plot fees, and reading through and signing our garden guidelines. After that, you will attend a garden orientation with Cultivating Community staff so that you can see your individual plot and learn about the specifics of your garden. Each garden has a garden coordinator, a compost system, and a garden shed with communal tools and water spigots. However, each garden is unique, so attending orientation is very important. After all these steps are completed, you’re good to go! The plot is yours for the season, assuming you maintain your plot, abide by our guidelines, and contribute positively to the garden community.
Unfortunately, yes. Every situation is unique, but essentially, if you aren’t able to maintain your garden plot (keep it reasonably free of weeds, harvest in a timely manner, and make sure it does not interfere with other plots) or are otherwise in violation of our garden guidelines, including those about being a member of a garden community, you can lose your garden plot. We do provide multiple reminders and work with you if there are extenuating circumstances because we want everyone to keep their plot as long as they’d like. However, given the size of our waitlist, we do need to make sure that those who have a plot are truly using it and abiding by all guidelines.
Cultivating Community works hard to make sure every plot is filled and maintained. However, as you can imagine, a number of factors can contribute to some plots becoming weedy and unmaintained throughout the course of the gardening season. For example, it could be that the plot is assigned to someone experiencing an extenuating circumstance and Cultivating Community has provided them with an extended timeline for getting the plot under control, or it could be that the plot was initially assigned to someone who lost the plot late in the season, when it was past the point at which we re-assign plots to folks on the waitlist. These are just a few examples! It’s likely that in every garden and each season there will be a handful of untended plots, but it does not mean that Cultivating Community is not actively working to maintain the garden waitlist and move people into plots. We appreciate your understanding!
Right now, we are committed to managing the 11 gardens already a part of our program, and making sure these gardens have all the amenities they need and all plots are filled and maintained. With more capacity in the future, we would love to expand the number of gardens we manage, but it is not in the works at this time.
Yes, if you were in good standing when you left your garden plot (had maintained your plot and upheld community guidelines), you are welcome to apply to our waitlist and receive a new plot when your name comes to the top of the waitlist.
That’s usually no problem! We understand that you may move within Portland, making a different garden a better fit for your needs. Simply let us know that you would like to change to a different community garden, and as long as there is a spot available for you in your desired garden and you are in good standing, we will transfer you. We generally place transfers ahead of placing new gardeners from the waitlist in plots.
Cultivating Community serves as the main point of contact for the City of Portland Community Garden Program, and works alongside the City to make sure the gardens receive what they need and stay maintained. Cultivating Community manages most of the people and administrative side of the gardens operations, such as maintaining the waitlist, orienting new gardeners and registering returning gardeners, and communicating with gardeners about pertinent information, educational opportunities, events, and much more. We also help to communicate any garden needs to the City, such as deliveries of wood chips, compost, etc. The City mainly handles all infrastructure-related matters with the gardens. They turn the water on in the spring and off in the fall, update fencing and garden sheds as needed, and as mentioned, provide materials such as wood chips, compost, and leaf matter for gardens.
Header photo by Greta Rybus