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Established in 2011, the Duke Farms Community Garden is one of the largest allotment-style garden in the country, with 460 plots that reflect Duke Farms’ commitment to restoring biodiversity and supporting community well-being. Gardeners employ sustainable techniques such as no-till gardening, enhancing soil biology, and utilizing natural mulches to conserve water, aligning their efforts with nature-positive solutions.
The garden also serves as a place for education, offering a variety of opportunities to enhance gardening skills and deepen the understanding of organic practices. Additionally, the Giving Garden exemplifies the community’s dedication to equity, donating thousands of pounds of produce annually to local food banks.
Since 2015, the Duke Farms Community Garden has donated 50,000+ pounds of produce.
2026 Community Garden plot rentals will open on January 2 at 9am.
Each garden plot is privately maintained by individual renters. Individuals who live and/or work in Somerset County, New Jersey are eligible to participate; commercial enterprises are not eligible to apply. Plots are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. New gardeners are eligible to rent one (1) plot in their first year of gardening. Returning gardeners may rent a maximum of three (3) plots and will have the opportunity to renew the same plot(s) each year.For more info, please email cg@dukefarms.org.
Plot registration for the opens on January 2 at 9:00am and remains open until plots sell out. All registration is done online.
Plots are available for rent to individuals who live or work in Somerset County, NJ. Commercial enterprises are not eligible to apply.
There is no waitlist. Plots are rented on a first come, first served basis.
There are a total of 460 plots in 3 different sizes, 10’x10’, 15’x15’, 15’x30’.
Yes, Duke Farms has a limited number of Accessible Garden Plots. Individual garden beds on a flat, paving stones rent for $20 each for the year. Please contact cg@dukefarms.org for more information.
Members must adhere to the rules, restrictions and guidelines located in the Community Garden Handbook.
Gardeners are required to use organic, sustainable growing methods. There is a 5-foot height restriction on plants, materials, and structures. Community Garden plots should be centered around food production. The full list of guidelines is available in the Community Garden Handbook.
Gardeners are responsible for keeping their plot(s) weeded, harvested and well-maintained within plot boundaries & height limitations. Weekly maintenance surveys take place during the growing season. After 5 warnings, the plot is reclaimed by Duke Farms.
It depends on the time of year and season, but gardeners should plan on making a minimum of 2 visits per week to their plot for adequate care. Gardeners must make provisions for plot maintenance during absences and vacations.
New gardeners are able to 1 plot in their first year of gardening. Returning gardeners may rent a maximum of 3 plots and will have the opportunity to renew the same plot(s) each year.
New garden members are required to attend an Orientation session and Introduction to Organic Gardening offered February-March. They are approximately 1 hour each.
Gardeners must complete 4-hours of volunteer time at Duke Farms for your first garden plot, plus 1-hour for each additional plot.
Gardeners must attend one gardening or environmental-focused class of their choice. Duke Farms offers several classes open to gardeners through the year and you may request for a class taken outside Duke Farms to fulfill the requirement.
Garden plots are offered in as is condition. Duke Farms is not responsible for soil and overall garden plot conditions, including drainage and other related issues.
The Community Garden is open year-round, from dawn to dusk. The Community Garden is subject to occasional closures at the discretion of Duke Farms. Closures will be communicated as early as possible.
Yes, there are 2 parking lots adjacent to the Community Garden, but the garden is 5 acres, and may require walking to the plot. There is an accessible parking lot available.
Gardeners must maintain a valid email address as this is our primary form of communication. Gardeners are also required to join a messaging app for urgent messages and updates.
Duke Farms provides wheelbarrows and a small number of hand tools. Gardeners must bring any additional tools they need.
There is a water spigot in the middle of each garden block. Hoses are not provided, but may be shared among gardeners.
There is a bathroom in the garden, however, there is not potable water.
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