Pop-Up Community Gardens Program

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Application Intake Closed

Application intake for the Pop-Up Community Gardens program is now closed!

The City of Edmonton is continuing the Pop-Up Community Gardens program for its fifth year to help support Edmontonians' access to fresh food.

Program Objectives

The objectives of Pop-Up Community Gardens program are to:

Increase access to freshly grown food for the community
Encourage community gardening initiatives in communities with no or poor access to gardens
Reduce barriers to increasing local food growing spaces

Since the program's inception in 2020, 197 applications for Pop-Up Community Gardens have been received, with 114 Pop-Up gardens awarded and 1,419 planter boxes distributed!

Visit Urban Gardening Initiatives to learn more about other City-led sustainability projects.

What is a Pop-Up Community Garden?

A Pop-Up Community Garden is a temporary community garden featuring raised planter beds. These temporary community gardens are approved on an annual basis and provide groups with an opportunity to see if a permanent community garden is feasible.

The program provides the following to interested communities:

Up to 10 2’ x 3’ water-saver planters
Soil
Compost (pre-mixed into soil)
Water tank (if required)

Pop-Up Community Gardens versus Community Gardens

Pop-Up Community Gardens

A Pop-Up Community Garden is an annual, City-run program
The resources allocated through the program are owned by the City of Edmonton
They are limited in supply and removed at the end of the growing season

Community Gardens

A Community Garden is a community-led gardening initiative
The resources in a Community Garden are not City owned
They are designed by the community for their specific needs and are intended to be more permanent installations

Application Requirements and Recommendations

The program welcomes applications from all groups with an interest in cultivating locally-grown food on City of Edmonton parkland, including but not limited to:

Community Leagues
Non-profit organizations
Cultural associations
Gardening groups

Applicants are most successful when associated with a community league or non-profit organization and will require the following:

A specific location for your garden. All locations must be on City-owned parkland or community league licensed land. Land ownership can be confirmed by contacting your City Liaison, such as a Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator or Social Outreach Worker.
A primary contact person is required for the duration of the 2024 garden season to monitor the garden, support events and liaise with the City of Edmonton.
A Community Gardening committee of 3-4 people is strongly recommended to assist the primary contact and manage/monitor the garden.

We recommend applicants consider the following questions before applying.

Why your community would like a community garden: for example, high need for gardening opportunities or a demonstrated desire from the community for community gardening.
Who - establish a garden committee. We recommend at least 3-4 people who will be responsible for leading your garden project to completion and maintain operations of the garden. It takes a strong dedicated group of people to sustain and maintain a community garden.
What do you plan to have in your Pop-Up Community Garden? For example, number of beds, access to a water source.
Where you would like to have your Pop-Up Community Garden: for example, a specific area of City parkland that is easily accessible by your community, land within your community league’s licensed area.
How you plan to maintain and run your Pop-Up Community Garden: for example, delegation of tasks among a garden committee, community celebrations or initiatives that would use the garden.

Application Submission and Approval

Submit Your Application

Application intake has closed.

If you require further information:

Call 311
Email communitygardens@edmonton.ca
Through your City Liaison: for example, your Neighbourhood Resource Coordinator or Social Outreach Worker

See Frequently Asked Questions

After Submission

We are very mindful that the Edmonton gardening season is short and hope to have all Pop-Up Community Garden applicants notified of whether or not they will be receiving a garden as quickly as possible.

Participants can expect an email updating them on the final status of their application by mid-April.

Confirmed applicants for current and previous years can be viewed on map.

Sustainable Food Edmonton

Pop-Up Community Gardens works closely with Sustainable Food Edmonton. They are a wonderful resource to inquire about skill development workshops, events and grant funding opportunities for community gardens.

Community Gardens

There are many community garden sites promoting local, organically grown food and vibrant and connected communities around Edmonton.

Contact Us

Title	Community Greening Coordinator
Email	communitygardens@edmonton.ca

311 Contact Centre

Online	Contact 311 Online

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Phone	311
TTY	711

Extreme Weather Activation Ended

Parking Ban Declared (Major Roads & Bus Routes)

Pop-Up Community Gardens Program

Application Intake Closed

Program Objectives

What is a Pop-Up Community Garden?

Pop-Up Community Gardens versus Community Gardens

Pop-Up Community Gardens

Community Gardens

Application Requirements and Recommendations

Application Submission and Approval

Submit Your Application

After Submission

fresh - Edmonton's Food and Urban Agriculture Strategy

Veg Instead ! - A "Grow What You Eat" Initiative

Composting

Food Scraps

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre