Community Gardens
Start Your Community Garden
The City of Vancouver is home to five public community gardens that provide the opportunity to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers within designated areas of some Vancouver parks. Community gardening allows you to experience the gratification of producing flowers and food for your own table, regardless of the space you have at home.
Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Community Garden Program has a variety of plot sizes and types available at multiple garden locations. If you have questions that are not answered on this page, please contact the Community Gardens information line at 360-487-7099 or email CommunityGardens@cityofvancouver.us.
2025 Community Garden Season
Registration Schedule
- Priority registration for returning gardeners opens on Feb. 19, 2025 at 9 a.m.
- Registration for new gardeners opens on Feb. 26, 2025 at 9 a.m.
Register in-person at the Marshall Community Center, by phone at 360-487-7100 or online during the open registration period. Phone and on-line registrations must be paid for using a credit card. Initial registration is limited to one plot.
Planting Schedule
- Gardens open for the season: mid-April
- Gardens close for the season: early November
All dates are dependent on weather conditions. Winter weather may impact the City’s ability to prepare garden beds and may delay the start of planting. Please plan accordingly.
Plot Assignments
Plots will not be assigned or shared in advance of final staking and stringing preparation. You will see your plot assignment on site after the gardens have opened for the season. Emails and phone calls regarding plot location questions will not be returned until after all garden sites have been opened for the season. Plants installed prior to garden opening will be subject to removal at the discretion of Community Garden staff.
Local Gardening Resources
Connect with Master Gardeners, an extension program of Washington State University, for information on how to start your garden and to learn new techniques. If you need seeds, the Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries Seed Lending Library may be a good resource.
Vancouver Community Garden Plots
Marshall Community Park Garden
1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
- 58 plots – 20′ x 20′
- 10 plots – 10′ x 10′
- 3 raised beds – 4′ x 12′
- 7 round raised containers
This site has access to restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables, benches and parking.
LeRoy Haagen Community Park Garden
E 9th St., west of NE 136th Ave.
- 12 plots – 20′ x 20′
- 5 plots – 10′ x 10′
- 4 raised beds – 4′ x 12′
This site has access to restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables, benches and parking.
Campus Garden
Campus Dr. and 65th Ave.
- 40 plots – 20′ x 20′
Ellsworth Road Garden
SE 10th St. and Ellsworth Rd.
- 24 plots – 20′ x 20′
This site has access to parking.
Fruit Valley Park Garden
31st St. and Fruit Valley Rd.
- 16 plots – 20′ x 20′
- 2 plots – 10′ x 10′
This site has access to benches and limited parking.
Garden Plot Rates
| Size | City Resident | Non-Resident | Senior City Resident (65+) | Senior Non-Resident (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20×20 | $58 | $72 | $46 | $58 |
| 10×10 | $30 | $38 | $25 | $31 |
| Raised Beds (Marshall and Haagen) | $23 | $29 | $18 | $22 |
| Containers (Marshall) | $21 | $26 | $15 | $19 |
Community Garden Rules
Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services strives to provide a quality Community Garden program that everyone can enjoy. The following rules have been established to ensure that City of Vancouver Community Garden sites are well-organized and safe.
General Site Use, Safety, and Guidelines
- Garden use is only allowed when the park is open, from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- The Community Garden program is seasonal. Sites are not open for use outside of the identified season.
- Any materials left clearly abandoned will be removed.
- Gardens are intended for personal use only; commercial uses are not allowed.
- Dogs must be on a leash and under your control; your pet is only allowed on paths and within your plot. All pet waste must be removed.
- Do not park or drive vehicles onto the garden site. Park in designated and authorized areas only.
- Possession and/or use of drugs, alcohol or other intoxicating substances is prohibited at community gardens. Gardeners may not be under the influence of these substances at the garden.
- Discharge of firearms, use of fireworks and/or open fires are prohibited.
- City of Vancouver parks and community gardens are tobacco-free spaces. Smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes or tobacco use in any form is prohibited.
- Cooperate, communicate and be considerate of other gardeners and community garden staff.
- Gardeners must begin working in their plots by May 15.
- Gardens will be surveyed multiple times per season. If a gardener does not comply with stated guidelines, they will be sent an email and expected to resolve the issue within 7 days, or their plot will be subject to forfeiture without a refund. It is the gardener’s responsibility to regularly plant and maintain or cover their plot, so it does not overgrow, affecting neighboring plots.
- Plots cannot be combined into a larger area.
- Garden plots may not be expanded beyond the designated plot.
- Gardeners must keep paths unobstructed and free of all debris and plants. Debris and plants left in paths and perimeters are subject to removal.
- The use of non-organic pesticides is prohibited.
- Remove trash and litter from your plot. There is no garbage service on site.
- Gardeners may compost in their own plot or in marked compost locations only. Dumping material outside of marked areas and/or anywhere in the garden or park is prohibited.
- Wind up hoses and return to the faucet when done; do not bury hoses.
- Do your part to conserve water; we recommend hand watering plants.
- Garden plot locations are marked out/staked annually; exact plot locations may shift year to year.
- Do not remove or destroy any property or planted material that does not belong to you.
- The Community Garden program is not responsible for trapping, poisoning, controlling, or disposing of rodents. To help prevent rodents:
- Remove piles of debris and weed your plots regularly
- Harvest all ripe produce promptly
- Empty any containers that collect standing water regularly
- You are gardening in a public space. To help prevent produce theft, visit the garden often, harvest often, report theft via 311 every time. The Community Garden program is not responsible for lost or stolen produce or garden equipment.
- To cancel your community garden plot and receive a refund, contact Marshall Community Center at 360-487-7100 at least seven days before gardens open for the season. All cancellations are subject to a $5 processing fee.
- Please ensure your contact information is updated and accurate throughout the garden season. Email is the primary form of garden communication, and we strongly encourage all gardeners to have an updated email on file.
- Promptly report any violations of these rules that you directly witness to 360-487-7099 or email CommunityGardens@cityofvancouver.us.
- Immediately call 911 if you witness a crime or are concerned for your safety.
- All gardeners are also expected to comply with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Code of Conduct at cityofvancouver.us/parks-policies
- Gardeners who fail to follow Community Garden rules will be subject to disciplinary action, which could include forfeiture of their plot. (VMC 15.04.170)
Failure to comply with any of the above guidelines may result in action including but not limited to forfeiture of plot for this garden season and/or removal of priority registration for the following year.
Direct questions to 360-487-7099 email CommunityGardens@cityofvancouver.us
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can I contact with questions about community gardens?
You can email communitygardens@cityofvancouver.us or call 360-487-7099.
When can I register for a plot?
Registration typically opens in mid-February. Priority registration occurs a few days in advance for returning gardeners who remained in compliance in the previous garden season. Please check this website for updated registration information.
How can I register for a plot?
Registration can be completed online, in-person at Marshall Community Center or by phone at 360-487-7100. Payment for phone and online registration must be made with a credit card.
Are the gardens open year-round?
No. the gardens are only open during the season which runs from April to November.
How long will I have my plot?
You will have a reserved plot from the opening day of the garden season, (or the day of payment if the gardens have already opened) until the last day of the season, which is advertised by email and on the Community Gardens webpage.
Will I get the same plot I had last year?
We try our best to accommodate requests for plot locations; however, we reserve the right to make adjustments to be inclusive of gardeners with varying physical abilities.
Can you move my plot after it has been assigned?
No, we are unable to accommodate any changes to the layout after the garden opens.
Are any tools or other resources provided?
We provide water and water spigots at each of the garden locations. We do not provide hoses, tools or seeds.
Are gardeners allowed to use pesticides or herbicides?
No, gardeners are not permitted to use pesticides or herbicides.
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Why is the garden opening late?
Gardens are tilled seasonally by the City. The date when gardens open is dependent on when the soil is dry enough to be tilled.
Why mulch pathways?
Not all pathways are mulched throughout the garden system; however, when we have the capacity and can partner with gardeners, we like to provide a thick layer of mulch to walk on within the pathways, this adds to the safety and delineation of plots throughout the garden. If you would like to spread mulch in the pathways of your garden area, please reach out to the garden team to find out how you can help.
Can I compost at the garden? If so, where can I compost?
All sites have a yard debris refuse option, though only a few sites have compost bins. Please only add organic debris to any compost locations. You may also compost your organic debris within your paid plot. If you would like more information, check out local Composter Recycler programs, Clark County Composts or Waste Connections.
How can I report a rules violation? I follow the rules but my neighbor doesn’t.
Promptly report any violations of these rules that you directly witness to 360-487-7099 or email communitygardens@cityofvancouver.us. Immediately call 911 if you witness a crime or are concerned for your safety.
Do you have any education resources?
Refer to Clark Conservation District, Master Gardener program and/or Clark County Composts
Can I transfer my plot if I am unable to maintain it?
Transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the Community Gardens program if you would like to transfer your plot.
Can I have a friend maintain my plot if I am unable to?
Yes. However, it is still your responsibility to keep the space well maintained and communicate any issues or needs that arise. Please let the Community Gardens staff know if you need someone else to maintain your space for longer than a few weeks.
What if my contact information changes?
Please update your contact information in ActiveNet as soon as possible. We use email as the primary form of communication with all gardeners, in addition to this webpage. The fastest and most efficient way for us to contact gardeners is by email and we need to have updated and accurate information in the system.
What do you do with the plots in the winter?
When the weather allows the City of Vancouver Grounds Maintenance team discs the soil in the fall and allows the space to be dormant for the winter season.