How do I become a gardener?
Sign Up days are held in early March each year. Plots are allocated first-come, first-served, in order of arrival to sign up day. To get notification about next year’s sign ups, join our email list!
What if I miss the sign up period?
Garden plots are typically all taken during sign up weekend, but you may contact us by email to see if any are still available.
How much does it cost?
A 4′ x 8′ raised bed at Armstrong Court costs $25 for the season (Armstrong Court residents can pay $20). At Bible Street, a bed is $50. There is a 10-hour volunteer work requirement for each plot that can be fulfilled throughout the growing season. But we never turn gardeners away for financial reasons. Let us know, and we’ll work it out!
How do I pay?
You will be able to pay by check, credit card, or exact change in cash.
What kinds of things can I do to fulfill my work requirement?
Our annual Opening Day and Closing Day are great opportunities to fulfill some of your volunteer requirement with raking, spreading wood chips, and sprucing up the garden. You can also join a team at the garden and help with projects, such as Events & Parties, Weeding, Compost, Building, and more.
How many garden plots can I have?
At Bible Street, an individual can have one plot, or share a plot with a friend or family member. At Armstrong Court, an individual can register for one or two plots. At both gardens there are a few growers with a larger number of plots who have been “grandfathered in” from earlier years before this rule was set.
How much time does gardening take?
Your plot would love it if you would visit between 1 and 3 times a week to weed, water, check for pests, and harvest your bounty! If you can’t come at least this often, it’d be better to not sign up for a plot, because overgrown, unharvested plots create problems for other gardeners.
What if I go on vacation for part of the summer?
You can ask a fellow gardener to look after your plot while you’re away. We also have signs in the shed that you can put in your plot while you’re away to let the Neighborly Harvest team know that they can harvest your ripe items and donate them straight to the Neighbor to Neighbor food pantry.
What do I need to buy to be a gardener?
The gardens have water on site and sheds with garden tools and gloves. You buy your own organic seeds and seedlings, but sometimes we have them available for free. If you want garden stakes or tomato cages, you’ll buy those yourself.
Where can I buy organic seeds and seedlings?
High Mowing Seeds is all organic (online ordering), as is Gilberties Organic (in Westport, CT). We also recommend Hudson Valley Seed Company and Fruition Seeds. Order early! There are many people gardening these days and some seeds have been selling out.
What if I don’t know how to garden?
Ask us, and we’ll set you up with a mentor to get you started. Your fellow gardeners are friendly and love to help!
I am interested in gardening, but I don’t want my own plot for the season. Can I volunteer?
Yes! We have a regular team of volunteers working at our Culinary Wellness Garden at Nathaniel Witherell, from April to November each year. We’d love to have your help. Fill out this form to volunteer for our 2024 growing season.
Where are the gardens?
Armstrong Court Community Garden is located behind the Armstrong Court apartment complex in western Greenwich. You can park at the apartments, cross the footbridge over the stream, and enter through the garden gate.
Bible Street Community Garden is located across the street from the Montgomery Pinetum in Cos Cob. There is a small tomato sign marking the parking area. You can park at the sign and then walk up the road to get to the garden.
The Culinary Wellness Garden at Nathaniel Witherell is on the campus of Nathaniel Witherell on Parsonage Road in Greenwich. The garden is in a cleared field and cars may park on the grass by the garden.
