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Library Community Gardens

5 Questions We Love Hearing About Library Community Gardens

We love it when people ask us questions about our programs, even if it’s something we’ve heard more than once! After all, what better way to learn something new? This week, we’re answering the five most commonly asked questions about Library Community Gardens. 

 

What are Library Community Gardens?

In 2012 the St. Louis County Library System (SLCL) and Gateway Greening formed a partnership with the goal of establishing several community gardens at public libraries. The concept was that by transforming the previously manicured lawns into thriving garden spaces, libraries would be able to extend their programing, offering a wide range of educational classes, gardening information, and environmental programming to patrons. At the same time, they would create a space for community members to grow healthy produce for their families.

The partnership has seen outstanding success since the first garden was installed at Prairie Commons branch library in March of 2013. Today, there are currently three library community gardens active in St. Louis County: Prairie Commons (Hazelwood, MO), Cliff Cave (Oakville, MO), and Grant’s View (Affton, MO).

 

How can I get involved, or get a plot of my own?

The best way to get involved – whether you’d like a plot or explore volunteer opportunities – is to contact the library branch staff directly. Since each garden is managed by a volunteer group, the library staff will be able to put you in contact with the correct person to handle your request.

Similar to other community gardens found throughout St. Louis, individuals can apply to have a plot of their own in their local library garden. If you’re interested, apply early! Garden space is limited and most library gardens will have a waiting list to sign up for available plots. If successful, gardeners can expect to pay a small annual fee (usually around $25) and will need to agree to follow basic garden rules.

If you are interested in volunteering or learning, you can also ask for information on the community garden, or look for the various educational classes held at various St. Louis County Library Branches throughout the year.

 

Grant’s View Community Garden Installation 2016
Grant’s View Community Garden at the Grant’s View Library in Spring 2016

How can I get involved at my Library Community Garden?

Currently, there are no plans to build any additional library gardens at existing libraries in St. Louis County. If you would like to learn more about a current library garden project, or ask about potential future projects, please contact our Outreach Manager!

 

Do you have opportunities for people to learn about gardening?

We regularly offer educational gardening workshops at each of the library branches, and even a few libraries that don’t currently have gardens! Gateway Greening also offers regular community education workshops at its Carriage House location throughout the growing season.

To find out more about upcoming learning opportunities, please visit:

 

What happens to the produce grown in the garden?

Just like any other community, each library garden establishes its own rules and guidelines. Most SLCL gardens provide individual plots to individuals or a family to grow produce for their own consumption. The rule of thumb is usually, “if you didn’t plant it, don’t pick it.” This doesn’t mean gardeners don’t get creative though. Other SLCL gardens have community areas, where multiple community gardeners share the workload and offer/donate produce to other families, local food pantries, or to library patrons and staff.

If you have a question about a particular location or garden, don’t hesitate to ask a community gardener or library staff at the main desk.

Gateway Greening Announces Expansion of Lyon Academy at Blow School Garden

St. Louis (28 Nov 2016) – Lyon Academy at Blow School Garden in St. Louis, MO. was expanded on 17 Nov 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. The garden received 8 picnic tables, 1 garden scale, 1 garden sign and 200’ of water hose.

Lyon Academy at Blow School Garden has 15 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 640 lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce grown will be used by the gardeners, formally donated, and informally given away throughout the community.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

Lyon Academy at Blow School Garden is located at 516 Loughborough, St. Louis, MO 63111

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Gateway Greening Announces Installation of St. Louis Artworks Community Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) – St. Louis Artworks Community Garden in St. Louis, MO. was installed in 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Three double-high raised beds were installed and filled with soil. The award also included: 3 wooden picnic tables, 2 wooden benches, 1 wheelbarrow, 2 garden hoes, 2 digging forks, 1 hard rake, 7 garden trowels, and 125’ of garden hoses.

St. Louis Artworks Community Garden has 11 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 144 lbs of produce annually, on average.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The St. Louis Artworks Community Garden is located at 5959 Delmar Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63112.

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Gateway Greening Announces Installation of MRH Elementary School Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) – MRH Elementary School Garden in Richmond Heights, MO was installed on 29 Oct 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Twelve raised beds were installed and filled with soil. The award also included: 2 picnic tables, 2 wooden benches, assorted signage, and garden tools.

MRH Elementary School Garden has 11 families from the community gardening and with the students, the garden will be able to grow 480 lbs of produce annually, on average. The produce will be used in MRH Elementary School lunches and is also for the gardeners’ personal use.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The MRH Elementary School Garden is located at 1800 Princeton Place, Richmond Heights, MO 63117.

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Gateway Greening Announces Installation of Grant’s View Community Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) – Grant’s View Community Garden in St. Louis, MO. was installed in 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Twenty eight raised beds were installed and filled with soil. The award also included: 1 shed, 1 3-bin compost system with signage, 1 picnic table, 1 ANOVA bench, 1 garden scale, 150’ of watering hoses with carts, 12 shovels, 5 hard rakes, 5 digging forks, 6 garden hoes, and 5 hand tool sets.

Grant’s View Community Garden has 34 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 1344 lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce will be used by the gardeners and informally distributed throughout the community.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The Grant’s View Community Garden is located at 9700 Musick Ave. St. Louis, MO 63123.

(PHOTOS ATTACHED)

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Grant’s View Community Garden Installation 2016

Gateway Greening Announces Installation of Blades Community Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) –Blades Community Garden in St. Louis, MO. was installed in 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. 10 raised beds were installed and filled with soil. The award also included: 1 garden sign, 1 toolshed, and 1 garden scale.

Blades Community Garden has 10 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 400 lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce will be used by the gardeners.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The Blades Community Garden is located at 5140 Patterson Rd. St. Louis, MO 63129.

(PHOTOS ATTACHED)

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Blades Community Garden Installation 2016

Gateway Greening Announces Installation of Bayless Elementary School Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) – Bayless Elementary School Garden in St. Louis, MO. was installed on 30 Sept 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. Eleven raised beds were installed and filled with soil. The garden also received 4 picnic tables, 1 garden sign, 1 garden scale, two 16’ cattle panels and eight 7’ T-Posts.

Bayless Elementary School Garden has 53 gardeners from the community and with the students, the garden will be able to grow 320 lbs of produce annually, on average. The produce will be used by the gardeners.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The Bayless Elementary School Garden is located at 4529 Weber Rd. St. Louis, MO 63123.

(PHOTOS ATTACHED)

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Bayless Elementary School Garden Installation 2016

Gateway Greening Announces Expansion of William L Clay Community Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) – William L Clay Community Garden in St. Louis, MO. was expanded in Fall of 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. The garden received: 10 cubic yards of garden mix, 1 garden scale, 150’ of watering hose, 1 wheelbarrow, 1 digging fork, 1 garden hoe, 1 hard rake, and 1 sprinkler.

William L Clay Community Garden has 18 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 750 lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce is used by the gardeners and informally distributed throughout the community.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The William L Clay Community Garden is located at 5608 Clemens Ave, St. Louis, MO 63112

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Gateway Greening Announces Expansion of People’s Nutrition Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) – People’s Nutrition Garden in St. Louis, MO was expanded in Fall of 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. The garden received: 2 cubic yards of garden mix, 2 hard rakes, 2 garden hoes, 1 digging fork, 1 garden scale, 1 deck box, and 1 small composter.

People’s Nutrition Garden has 7 gardeners from the community and as a group, the garden will be able to grow 300 lbs of produce annually, on average. Produce is used by the gardeners, informally given away in the local community, and formally donated to Operation Food Search.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The People’s Nutrition Garden is located at 5701 Delmar Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63112.

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Gateway Greening Announces Expansion of Patrick Henry Downtown Academy School Garden

St. Louis (1 Dec 2016) –Patrick Henry Downtown Academy School Garden in St. Louis, MO. was expanded on 12 Oct 2016 as a result of an award from Gateway Greening. The garden received: 1 garden scale, 1 garden sign, 200’ of hose, 2 sprinklers, 5 shovels, 4 garden hoes, 2 digging forks, and 2 wheelbarrows.

Patrick Henry Downtown Academy School Garden has 4 adult gardeners from the community and with the students, the garden will be able to grow 400 lbs of produce annually, on average. The produce is informally distributed throughout the community.

For 30 years, Gateway Greening has educated and empowered individuals to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening’s Garden Program receives many requests to start or expand community gardens in St. Louis. Projects are selected based on a number of factors including: need, the quality of the garden space, the level of community support, and the thoroughness of the plan for using the garden space. Awarded sites are typically supported with seeds/plants, garden tools, materials (hardscape and landscape), and guidance.

The Patrick Henry Downtown Academy School Garden is located at 1214 N 9th St. Saint Louis, MO 63106

(PHOTOS ATTACHED)

 

About Gateway Greening

Gateway Greening is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers people to strengthen their communities through gardening and urban agriculture. Gateway Greening has been working to provide creative, grassroots solutions to urban problems since 1984. Programs include supporting more than 200 community and youth-focused gardens across the St. Louis area through educational opportunities, garden supplies and technical assistance; and Gateway Greening’s Urban Farm, a 2.5-acre farm in downtown St. Louis that provides therapeutic horticulture and a jobs training program. Visit Gateway Greening at www.gatewaygreening.org. @gatewaygreening.

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Patrick Henry Downtown Academy School Garden Expansion 2016