City of Eden Prairie
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Community Gardens FAQ
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about Community Gardens.
Community Gardens
Pesticides such as weed killer are not allowed because neighboring gardeners can be affected by the use of these products.
Instead of pesticides, gardeners should use mulch or cultivation techniques.
Gardeners are required to maintain their garden and control the weeds until the end of the gardening season of Oct. 15, even if produce is done growing.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Yes, portable toilets are located at all sites. The Duck Lake Trail garden toilet is located across the street at Eden Valley Park.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
The City cannot share name or phone number information; however, we can contact the other gardener and if they wish to return the call to you, they can do so.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about community gardens.
Gardeners may indicate a desired plot (or area) in the comment field of the online request; however, garden plots are assigned in the order of when the application is received. No other factors allow preferential plot location assignments.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Some gardeners choose to put up a temporary garden fence to keep out the raccoons and rabbits. The amount of garden damage due to animals can vary from year to year. Rarely, do we have theft problems.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about community gardens.
No, gardeners must supply their own equipment, seeds, fertilizer, etc. for their gardens. The City provides only the land and water.
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The earliest date that your request and payment will be accepted is the first day of registration in March for that gardening year. No priority is given to those on the waitlist in the previous year.
Once all plots in a garden are taken, you can be added to a waitlist for that specific location. Email your name, email address, phone number and desired plot location to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Occasionally, a gardener is not able to fulfill the responsibility of gardening (sometimes, even before the garden season starts). In that situation, the first person on the waitlist for that garden location is contacted.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Requests for community garden plots are accepted the first day of registration in March each year for that gardening year until gardens are sold out. Payment must be received at the time of the request. Visit the Community Gardens page to make a request online.
Payment may be submitted online or in person at the Community Center, 16700 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
Applications will not be accepted until the first day of registration and will continue to be accepted until all garden plots have been taken. Once all plots in a garden are taken, you can be added to a wait list for that specific location. Email your name, email address, phone number and desired plot location to the Parks and Recreation Department.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Historically, most gardeners who submitted a request by April 15 were able to get a plot. A waiting list is started once all gardens are taken. At Pioneer Park, the City has fewer gardens and a higher number of returning gardeners. You can indicate alternative choices in plot size or location, in the case your first choice is not available.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Pioneer Park
Small: 12
Medium: 15
Large: 0Pioneer Trail
Small: 70
Medium: 0
Large: 18
Duck Lake Trail
Small: 50
Medium: 0
Large: 0Gardeners grow a variety of annual flowers and vegetables such as pumpkins, cucumbers, sunflowers, corn and tomatoes. All plots are in full sun.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Yes, water is provided at all locations.
At Pioneer Trail and Duck Lake Trail, water tanks are located throughout the garden area. A bucket must be used to collect the water and carry it to the plot. At Pioneer Park, water faucets are available; three throughout the garden area. Direct hose hook-up is not permitted. A bucket must be used to collect the water and carry it to your plot. Please do not hoard or save water.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 952-949-8442. The City will contact that gardener to find out if they have decided not to garden. If so, the available garden plot will be assigned to the next person on the wait list.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
The plots available are as follows:
Pioneer Trail
Small: 20'x30'
Large: 20'x60'Pioneer Park
Small: 20'x30'
Medium: 20'x40'
The City has occasionally divided a medium-sized plot into two 20'x20' plots to make more gardensDuck Lake Trail
Small: 20'x30'Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Gardeners grow a variety of annual flowers and vegetables such as pumpkins, cucumbers, sunflowers, corn, peppers, green beans and tomatoes. All plots are in full sun.
Because you are making a request at the time of payment, it is possible that we may not have the size or at the location you want. We ask you to indicate other sizes/locations you would accept, if your first choice is not available. You will be refunded or billed if there is a pricing difference in your final assigned plot.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about the process.
If you only want a garden at Pioneer Park, please indicate that when you're applying for the plot. If the City cannot accommodate you at that location, your payment will be refunded after April 16 without prior notification.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about the process.
- A community garden is a plot of land owned or leased by the city, but made available to the public to rent for gardening during the summer months. Visit the Community Gardens page to learn more.
An email with your garden plot number will be sent to you by April 20 each year.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Weather permitting, gardens are plowed and the corners are marked with the plot numbers by May 1. Gardeners who have reserved a plot will be notified when their garden plot is ready for planting.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Gardens must be harvested and cleaned up (free of any stakes or fencing) by Oct. 15 of each year. The plots will be plowed after that date.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Financial transactions will take place immediately at the time of your request. Any financial adjustments will take place after April 16.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more about the process.
Those who live or work in Eden Prairie. Some gardeners have a house with a shady backyard, but need a sunny place to plant. Some gardeners live in apartments. Some gardeners need more garden space for bigger, sprawling plants. Some gardeners are growing food for their family. Some gardeners are enjoying the time outdoors. All ages can be found at the gardens.
Eden Prairie residents or persons who work in Eden Prairie are able to rent a community garden plot. Residents over the age of 55 get a discounted rate.
Everyone can register to request a community garden plot on the first day of spring/summer Parks and Recreation program registration. However, returning gardeners are given priority until April 15 to make payment.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
Returning gardeners are those who had a garden in the previous summer. They are given priority until April 15 to send in their application and payment.
On April 16, new gardeners are assigned a plot in the order their application and payment was received.
Check out the Community Gardens page to learn more.
All plots are tractor-plowed in the fall and tractor-tilled in the spring. However, a hand-tiller or pitch fork is useful to prepare the soil before you begin planting.
Check out the Community Garden page to learn more.