General

When do I need to submit my application?

Please submit your complete application by August 1, 2023. If you need an extension, please let us know before the due date. We review potential projects in August and early September in consideration for the following year and typically inform groups about inclusion in the program by September 15. We encourage groups to get in touch early and often throughout the process as it may take considerable time to gather the necessary requirements.  

Why would you choose some applications over others?

The most important things we look for are demonstrated community need and demonstrated community support. Our limiting factors include: staff availability, budget, and possibly location. We want to make sure our team can devote enough time and energy to each garden in our program so that garden can be successful. 

We need to see that a prospective garden group has the capacity and the community support needed to build  and sustain a successful garden. Make sure in your application to demonstrate the people, organizations, nearby gardens and municipal offices that support this project and how they will continue to support your project in the future. Make sure the small group of people in your garden leadership team has the capacity to work together regularly on a project for at least the next 3-6 months (ideally the next 12-24 months) and has a plan to ensure that new people will be engaged and join the team throughout that time. 

What kinds of gardens do you fund?

We fund new community food gardens that generally fall within three categories: 1) allotment gardens, where people rent individual plots; 2) community gardens, where people are cultivating the same space together; 3) combination gardens, which incorporate both of these.

We also may fund existing gardens in need of a major overhaul or expansion.

If you are part of an established garden and two years of support through this program sounds like more than you need, we suggest you apply to the Community Garden Sustainability Fund. This fund helps gardens complete projects small and large that contribute to long term sustainability.

What does the Community Gardens program provide to applicants?

We will help you establish your garden organizing group, set up volunteer days, and create processes that will lead to future sustainability of the garden. We provide materials like tools, soil, raised beds, tool storage, a water line, signage, plants, seeds, and fencing. We provide educational support through workshops and demonstrations.

How soon could we build a garden after we are accepted into the program?  

Typically, the first year a garden group is in our program, we begin outreach and planning in the winter; design and construction in the spring; planting and garden education in the spring and summer; and clean up and evaluation in the fall. In year two, we help you develop your systems so that you are leading more of the project. We may complete some infrastructure projects in the second year.

What does knotweed look like? Why don’t I want it in the garden?

See more info here: http://www.growpittsburgh.org/japanese-knotweed/

What if I can’t get all the information I need to fill out the application?

Fill out as much information as you can. The process of going through the application can give you a better idea of what you have in place and what still needs to happen. Plus, even if you aren’t accepted into the program, the more we know about your garden project, the more we can help you! It has taken some groups years to get the right combination of people and land to create a garden. In the meantime, you can volunteer at other gardens in your area, build skills, build relationships, seek out the best possible location, etc.

What responsibilities do partner organizations have?

Partner organizations provide stability as garden leadership changes over time. These organizations may provide fiscal sponsorship, meeting space, supplies, grant writing, event outreach, volunteer recruitment, etc. The sponsor organization is also generally the one to cover the garden under liability insurance. The organization would want to ask their insurance broker what it might cost to add the garden as a “rider” onto their existing insurance. This is typically a smaller expense than getting a brand new policy for the garden.

Can I sell produce that I grow at the garden?

Yes, but certain restrictions may apply depending on the location of the garden. Talk to us for more details.

What do I need to know about soil testing?

We will test all sites that apply for our program before we start building. If you want to test your site in the meanwhile, you can find information on how to take samples and where to send them for testing in our Grower’s Resources section: http://www.growpittsburgh.org/start-a-garden/growers-resources/soil-compost/

What kind of insurance do I need to protect the garden?

The City of Pittsburgh requires gardens located on city property to carry insurance. We strongly encourage groups to pursue insurance for any community garden to protect the group and landowner from liability.  Depending on the type of activities you plan to do at the garden, you may want to carry more or less insurance. Please review the insurance info on this page: http://www.growpittsburgh.org/start-a-garden/community-garden-guide/finding-a-suitable-site/

What if the garden I want to start is on a religious institution’s property?

As long as garden membership is not restricted based on religious affiliation, this is okay for our program.

Can I apply for a community garden on privately owned property?

Unfortunately, no. But established gardens on private property may apply for our Community Garden Sustainability Fund, which provides materials and technical support (so long as you have written permission to be on the property).

How do I get access to a potential site?

To get access, you must first know who owns the site.  Sometimes you will already know who owns the site; however, if you don’t know who owns the site, or if you aren’t sure, there are a few ways to find this information:

  1. First, confirm the ownership of the site by using the County Assessment website (http://www2.county.allegheny.pa.us/RealEstate/Search.aspx). You can find out who the owner is and if the land is made up of multiple parcels.
  2. The Lots to Love website makes it easy to understand the ownership of vacant lots. http://www.lotstolove.org
  3. For City of Pittsburgh-owned lots, check out the Adopt-A-Lot program here: http://pittsburghpa.gov/dcp/adopt-a-lot or by contacting Shelly Danko+Day, VLTK Project Coordinator, at shelly.dankoday@pittsburghpa.gov or 412-255-2287.
  4. Other municipalities in Allegheny County will have their own processes for permitting residents to use their vacant land. The best place to start is generally the borough or township manager, who will know how to navigate site access.
Questions Specific to Gardens Outside of the City of Pittsburgh (Allegheny Grows)

What does it mean when it says that a garden located within Allegheny County but outside the City of Pittsburgh must be eligible?

It’s best to reach out and confirm eligibility with us directly.

Garden sites within Allegheny County but outside the city of Pittsburgh are funded via federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through Allegheny County Economic Development. CDBG funds have additional restrictions about their use because it is federal money. Therefore, prospective gardens must be in areas where the number of households earning a low to moderate income is above a certain threshold. This threshold may change from year to year. Municipalities are divided by Census Tracts and Block Groups which are determined by the U.S. Census results that come out every 10 years. The lines that divide eligible Block Groups from ineligible ones are not always obvious.  If you are considering a lot in a county municipality, please get in touch with Grow Pittsburgh early in the process to determine if that lot is in fact eligible.

What kind of support might a Municipality provide to a garden?

Municipalities sometimes provide the land for gardens in parks or municipality-owned lots. Maintenance crews sometimes perform duties at the garden like grass mowing, installing signs, and making repairs. Municipalities may pay for the water for the garden, and provide meeting space or bathroom access.

(Updated May 2023)