Join us in the joy of gardening by becoming a member today!
Apply now for an annual Collective Gardening Membership before the March 6th deadline. Hurry, as space is limited!
What is the Collective Gardening model?
Experience the camaraderie of collective gardening with a dedicated team of about 35 individuals. Together, we maintain 2 long raised beds and 2 in-ground rows spanning approximately 500 square feet total.
Led by our Director of Farm Operations, collective members meet every Thursday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm to coordinate, seed, maintain, and harvest the beds as a group. This structure does not offer private parcels and instead focuses on fostering greater interaction among members and provides valuable learning opportunities. Crop layout is determined as a group and harvests are shared.
What are the time commitments and expectations for the Collective?
Applicants must attend an orientation session on either Sunday, April 12th from 10 am – 12 pm or Thursday, April 16th from 6 pm to 8 pm in order to accept a membership offer.
After orientation, Collective members meet every Thursday from 6 pm to 7:30pm from mid-April to the end of October.
Gardeners must participate in at least one Sunday Stewardship Day (Sundays, 10 am – 1 pm) per month or fulfill agreed-upon tasks independently. Sunday Stewardship days include maintenance activities throughout the whole El Paseo Community Garden site (food forest, prairie, senior area, lawn area, gathering areas etc).
How much is the Collective membership?
$40 for the whole season – to be paid once accepted.
Please note that the collective is an individual membership per person, not per household. Other household members should apply separately.
Note: We offer limited discounted memberships and payment plans based on need. Please contact us via this form for this option.
Growing Season Activities:
After orientation, gardeners coordinate a growing plan and start seedlings or direct sow cool season crops. Warm season crop planting typically occurs mid May. Throughout the growing season, we weed, harvest, and replant on Thursday evenings (and on Stewardship Sundays), with the season ending in late October/early November. Thursday meetings typically begin with a farm walk led by the Director of Farm Operations.
Dates and activities will be communicated on our Slack workspace collective channel.
If a Gardening Membership isn’t feasible for you, there are still plenty of ways to be involved and enjoy fresh veggies! You can join us every Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm (starting 4/26) to volunteer during Stewardship days or pick your own veggies for purchase during the U-Pick Market starting mid-June.
However, there are several perks to becoming a member, including exclusive access to events and discounts.
Membership Benefits ($40):
- Garden tour and orientation
- Access to weekly farm walks & task board
- Skill teaching/activities
- Inclusion in garden internal communication & Slack workspace
- Access to garden social events
- Discounted garden reservation
- Network access for resource and education opportunities
Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of our vibrant gardening community! Apply now and start your journey with us!
El Paseo Community Garden 