Summer is underway, and we’re here to herb your enthusiasm with a roundup of community gardens to cultivate your green thumb + nurture a sense of neighborly love.
Whether you’re looking to work with a group or grow your harvest solo, these local spots are tilled and ready to turnip this growing season. Many community gardens offer seed-share programs and shared tool sheds, but check with each garden for specifics.
🍅 Fan, Museum District, Maymont
Birdhouse Community Garden, 1507 Grayland Ave.
This space offers numerous garden amenities and educational opportunities. Plus, Birdhouse hosts popular seasonal farmers markets.
Get involved: Send an email to Tegan Moore for volunteer opportunities.
Humphrey Calder Community Garden, 3621 Kensington Ave.
There are 32 plots at this community center off Patterson Avenue.
Get involved: Get in touch to volunteer or make a donation.
Maymont Community Garden, 1907 Texas Ave.
This garden has free plots available to Maymont residents. Find the garden at Riverview Community Park next to the skate park.
Get involved: Reserve a bed by sending them an email.
Uptown Community Garden, 2201 Parkwood Ave.
Located in the heart of The Fan, this garden offers private and community plots to folks of all skill levels + ages.
Get involved: Reach out to coordinator Marlene Sehen.
🍅 Church Hill, East End
Chimborazo Playground Community Garden, East Grace and North 31st Streets
With 30 plots, two children’s gardens, and a butterfly berm, the Chimborazo Playground Community Garden has established itself as a member of the neighborhood for 10+ years.
Get involved: Add your name to the waiting list for a plot by contacting the garden steward.
Jefferson Avenue Community Garden, 2314 Jefferson Ave (next to Pizza Bones)
A fig tree and a paved stone pathway welcome folks into this garden with 10+ raised beds. Follow on Instagram for updates and events.
Get involved: Send an email to the team.
Powhatan Hill Park Community Garden, 5051 Northampton St.
Rent a plot and give your plants an idyllic view of the James River atop Powhatan Hill. Picnic tables are available for a mid-gardening lunch break.
Get involved: Send a message to Committed 2 Reach.
Roots of Woodville Community Garden, 1901 N. 28th St.
This long-running community project welcomes volunteers, whether local to the neighborhood or not, to work and grow together.
Get involved: Send Nathan Fleming an email.
Van Lew Community Garden, 2301 E. Grace St.
Named for abolitionist and Union spy Elizabeth Van Lew, this garden is filled with native trees and flowers. Head behind Bellevue Elementary School between Franklin and Grace Streets to find the plot.
Get involved: Help out with planting and maintenance by contacting Verdant Richmond.
🍅 Northside, Highland Park
Six Points Community Garden, 3rd Avenue, Dill Avenue, and Rady Street
Established in 2022 out of a vacant lot in North Highland Park, Six Points has been gracefully growing with flora, fauna, and community plots.
Get involved: RSVP for planting or find out how you can help by contacting Verdant Richmond.
Charles S. Gilpin Garden Farm, 1420 St. Peter St.
The Gilpin Community Farm is part of the Food Justice Corridor — a stretch of several community gardens planted to increase fresh food access primarily in Richmond’s Northside and East End areas. Volunteer crews work on the space every Tuesday afternoon.
Get involved: Contact Kinfolk Community RVA for information on how you can help.
🍅 Southside
Sankofa boasts five acres of green space. | Photo by Sankofa Community Orchard
Alice Fitz Community Garden, 1301 Perry St.
This Manchester garden hosts community workdays and rents out plots. Be sure to check out the seed-keeper shelter, a locally crafted art installation. Bonus: The garden also boasts peach, pear, and mulberry trees, as well as blueberry and raspberry bushes.
Get involved: Send an email to ask about plot availability.
Broad Rock Community Garden, 404 E. Broad Rock Rd.
Keep up with this garden on Instagram, where they announce community workdays and events. Community members also gather at this 13,000-sqft greenspace for meditation, yoga, and cookouts.
Get involved: Send Nikiya Ellis an email.
Fonticello Food Forest, 2715 Bainbridge St.
Located in Carter Jones Park, Fonticello uses fresh produce to supply free, weekly farmstands.
Get involved: Want to donate, volunteer, or grow? Send an email to the team.
McDonough Community Garden, 3300 McDonough St.
This 30-plot garden also hosts seed swaps and plant trades. Bonus: it’s only two blocks from Crossroads for all your coffee and ice cream needs.
Get involved: Help build up the garden by reaching out to organizer Duron Chavis.
Owl Orchard Community Garden, 807 W 44th St.
This nature haven lies along Reedy Creek, which fosters a camaraderie with local wildlife, including woodpeckers and turtles.
Get involved: Send James McDonald an email.
Sankofa Community Orchard, 301 Covington Rd.
Artistic murals adorn this five-acre fruit orchard cultivated with a mission for food justice and climate resilience.
Get involved: Stay up-to-date with projects, events, and volunteer opportunities via Instagram.
Local garden map
The city has an interactive map with information on all of these gardens + more. If you want to start your own community garden, head to Richmond Grows Gardens. There are several garden sites waiting for go-getting growers. You can also search for gardens we may not have mentioned this time around.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Search the Community Foundation page for garden activities, or read our conversation with local master gardener Don Moore to learn how to start your own garden.
Add to our list by letting us know the community gardens where you volunteer.
