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Community Garden FAQ

When can I rent a Community Garden Plot?
Is there a waitlist for membership?
How many plots are there in total? What sizes are available?
Do you have accessibility accommodations in the Community Garden?
Who is responsible for maintaining Community Garden plots?
How often do I need to care for my garden plot once I am a member?
Who is eligible for a garden membership?
What are the restrictions in the Community Garden?
How many garden plots can be rented?
What is required for new gardeners to join?
What are the Community Garden rules and guidelines?
What is the volunteering requirement to be a member?
What are the education requirements to be a member?
What do the garden plots look like? Who is responsible for the condition?
When is the Community Garden open to members?
What form of communication is required to be a member?
What tools do I need?
Is there a water source available in the Community Garden?
Are there restrooms available in the Community Garden?

When can I rent a Community Garden Plot? Plot registration for the public opens on January 2 at 9:00 am and runs until March 15, or until plots sell out. All registration is done online.

Is there a waitlist for membership? There is no waitlist. Plots are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Each year it varies, there are usually 40-50 plots available for public rental.

How many plots are there in total? What sizes are available? There are a total of 460 plots in 3 different sizes, 10’x10’, 15’x15’ and 15’x30’.

Do you have accessibility accommodations in the Community Garden? Duke Farms also has an ADA-compliant Accessible Garden. Individual garden beds on a paver patio rent for $20 each for the season and may be rented to individuals or groups. Please contact cg@dukefarms.org for more information.

Who is responsible for maintaining Community Garden plots? 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.

How often do I need to care for my garden plot once I am a member? 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.

Who is eligible for a garden membership? Plots are available for rent to individuals who live or work in Somerset County, NJ. Commercial enterprises are not eligible to apply.

What are the restrictions in the Community Garden? 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.

How many garden plots can be rented? New gardeners are restricted 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.

What is required for new gardeners to join? New garden members are required to attend an Orientation session and Introduction to Organic Gardening offered February-March. They are approximately 1 hour each.

What are the Community Garden rules and guidelines? Members must adhere to the rules, restrictions and guidelines located in the Community Garden Handbook. Hard copies are available by request.

What is the volunteering requirement to be a member? Gardeners must complete 4 hours of volunteer time at Duke Farms for their first garden plot, plus 1 hour for each additional plot.

What are the education requirements to be a member? Gardeners must attend one environmental class of their choice each year.

What do the garden plots look like? Who is responsible for the condition?
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.

When is the Community Garden open to members? The Community Garden is open year-round, from dawn to dusk.

Is parking available for members? There are 2 parking lots adjacent to the Community Garden, but the garden is 5 acres and may require walking to the plot.  

What form of communication is required to be a member? 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.

What tools do I need? Duke Farms provides wheelbarrows and a small number of hand tools. Gardeners must bring any additional tools they need.

Is there a water source available in the Community Garden? There is a water spigot in the middle of each garden block. Hoses are not provided, but may be shared among gardeners.

Are there restrooms available in the Community Garden? There is a bathroom in the garden, however, there is no potable water.