About Community Gardening

The City of Tallahassee is happy to assist citizens in the development of community gardens on suitable City-owned property. From victory gardens during World War II to the creation of FAMU’s Orange Avenue garden, Tallahassee has a long history of urban agriculture. Today, a new energy about local food and healthy living has swept the nation, reaching our community in various forms such as new small businesses, community supported agriculture and farmer's markets.

The City encourages citizens to work with their neighbors to build, cultivate and maintain gardens on public lands and is here to assist in this endeavor. Please review the documents and resources provided below and contact our Sustainability office at 850-891-7007 or sustainability@talgov.com if you have questions.

Unincorporated Leon County residents can find out more about the County’s Community Garden program here.

How do you get started?

Please review the application materials listed below and contact the City with any questions. City staff is available to discuss potential City-owned properties in your neighborhood that are appropriate for gardens, as well as garden design and proper siting on the property.

1. Application for a New Community Garden
2. Pledge of Commitment and Public Support Petition
3. Mandatory Rules and Operating Procedures
4. Waiver of Liability (Individual Participants and Adopter Group)

Where are city-owned parcels available? You can find city-owned parcels here:
City of Tallahassee Real Estate Inventory

What about Water?
Water Meters are available for community gardens on City-owned property! Please fill out the Application for Water Service and submit with your Community Garden application.

Resource Materials
The following sources offer a wealth and variety of information. From the initial community organizing to planting schedules for north Florida, these resources will aid gardeners at each step toward a successful garden.

National sources

• American Community Garden Association
• National Gardening Association

Regional sources

• Down to Earth Gardening Down South, by Lacy Bullard [available at the Leon County Public Library]

Local sources

• Red Hills Farm Alliance Planting Calendar for North Florida
• Leon County Extension Office

Garden Organization

• Starting a Community Garden (UF/IFAS Extension)
• Sample Rules for use in your Garden Adopter Group

Technical Resources

• North Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (UF/IFAS Leon County Extension)
• Native Nurseries organic pest control guide
• Tallahassee Food Gardens: Food Gardening 101 manual