Local Gardens

Dunbar/Spring Organic Community Garden and Mini-Nature Park, at the northwest corner of University Blvd. and 11th Ave. (just north of downtown Tucson). This is an all volunteer run neighborhood organic park and garden. While the western end of the garden is the mini-nature park and features multiple use native plants found in the Tucson area, the rest of the garden features an organic orchard of fruit tree cultivars and understory plantings appropriate for the Tucson area (plants are identified with signs), and individual garden plots with passive water harvesting elements. Periodically check the north side of the bulletin board for community workshops and volunteer days.

Farmacy Garden, located off Cottonwood Lane, along the west side of the Santa Cruz river and just south of Silverlake Rd. Call Jeremy or Donna at 622-2241. This organic garden is part of the non-profit Spirit of Service Clinic, Inc. a group striving to provide affordable alternative health care. Clients can pay for health care services by working in the garden which raises medicinal herbs and food. They conduct gardening workshops and have volunteer days. They are also setting up a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where you can subscribe to receive weekly boxes of locally grown, organic produce.

Native Seeds/SEARCH. 622-5561 A non-profit growing out Native American crops in order to preserve and promote their genetic and cultural diversity. Call about their volunteer opportunities at the Sylvester Gardens/Seed Bank and the Patagonia Farm. They also have a great store at 526 N. 4th Ave.

Soto’i Gardens, ask for Henry or Dee Soto 749-5503. A local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where you can subscribe to receive weekly boxes of locally grown, organic produce. With a prolific garden off Tanque Verde Creek on Tucson’s east side, Henry and Dee often include native crops such as itoi onions and tepary beans into their offerings.

Southside Food Production Network/Tucson Urban Gardeners, Southside Food Production Network, Community Food Bank, P.O. Box 26727, Tucson, AZ 85726-6727. 622-0525 extension 242. Email sfpn@communityfoodbank.com. A GREAT program setting up food gardens more sustainable food distribution, and building community on Tucson’s south side. They manage a number of wonderful community gardens including the Community Food Bank Garden at 3003 S. Country Club Rd. where they sell organic produce grown at the garden to those using the Food Bank’s services. You can help creating new community gardens, working existing gardens, and/or go to their Back Yard Garden Parties which helps folks set up gardens in their own back yards! They have plenty of volunteer opportunities.

Tucson Organic Gardeners began more than 20 years ago as a club where people who chose to use organic methods to maintain their gardens could exchange ideas and enjoy fellowship. Today almost 200 members, associates and friends continue this tradition through frequent lectures, potlucks, and hands-on advice in the monthly newsletter, The Composter, all for a modest membership fee. Your source for organic gardening and composting in Tucson–we’ve been soiling our hands since 1971.

Miramonte Gardens Community Garden Project, located at the northwest end of the St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church grounds at 3809 E. 3rd. Lori 325-1001. This is both a Community Garden and a Home/Demo site of the Tucson Organic Gardeners. The garden is still being created, but well underway. Every Saturday from 9am - noon members of the Tucson Organic Gardeners are there - they would love your help, and will teach you a thing or two.

Zuni Ave. Community Garden, 6054 E. 30th. 512-0154. A great community garden working in partnership with a Peace Center, a Mennonite Church, and the Zuni Ave. bike club.

LocalHarvest.org, a web based resource that provides a comprehensive directory of gardeners/farmers selling produce through farmers’ markets, farm stands, U-pick farm stands, and Community Supported Agriculture programs.