Community Gardens

Our Community Garden Program began with the construction of the Main Street CG in 1976. Our 5 Gardens provide active living opportunities to Santa Monica residents and a way to engage in Urban Agriculture and create unique, biodiverse habitats that support our efforts to be a Sustainable City through local food production, sustainable land stewardship, community composting, water conservation practices, and community engagement. Community Gardens are a source of pride for our community, and we actively look for ways to engage the greater community through our monthly programs, workshops and events. Gardens are therapeutic, energizing and engaging. We like to say Think Globally, Garden Locally, with every day being Earth Day and an opportunity to Get Dirty.

There are currently 4 community garden locations with plots available for residents to rent and 2 communally grown learning gardens in Santa Monica. Rentable plots are open to Santa Monica residents only, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis. Plots are assigned as they become available in the order in which applications are received.

Our monthly programs and events are free and open to the public, and you can search for upcoming events by clicking HERE.

Please note: Demand for community garden plots far exceeds supply. It may take years before you are assigned a plot.

Jump to Section:

FAQ

How do I Apply for a Community Garden Permit?

Garden Plots are available for Santa Monica Residents only. If you would like to place your name on the waitlist for a Garden Plot, please fill out this form.

What are other resources related to Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture

American Community Gardening Association
California Invasive Plant Council (Help in identifying invasive plants and weeds)
Gardenerd (Organic gardening resource for "gardening nerds")
Composting Fundamentals
Good Magazine: Garden Sharing: Farming Meets Social Networks

How do I volunteer for the Community Gardens?

Prior to Volunteering, please taking one of the following steps:

All potential Volunteers must create an account in Volunteer Matters, which can be found HERE.

If that link doesn't work, please cut and past this url: https://santamonica.volunteermatters.org/register

Once that is complete, you will be able to see different volunteer opportunities in the gardens and various City Programs.

Please note that all Volunteers, in addition to waivers and agreements are required to have Background Fingerprint Checks and complete the Mandated Reporter Training. These documents, links and instructions will be made available once you set up your account and select a Volunteer Opportunity.

Please check with the Garden Coordinator if you have any questions.

City of Santa Monica Urban Ag Policies

Horses, Mules, burros or jacks - Code 4.04.080

Chickens and Fowl - Code 4.04.090

Hogs, bulls or billy goats - Code 4.04.100

Cows or Goats - Code 4.04.110

Bees - Code 4.04.130

Community Gardens - Code 9.51.030

Community Composting

We would like to know what you do with your kitchen scraps. Might you be interested in participating in a program that allows community members to work collectively at a Community Composting hub to turn your scraps into Compost that is then used in your garden or made available to others, including schools and church gardens?

Please fill out this SURVEY to help us learn where these hubs may end up, who is interested in helping, and how we can better serve the community.