A Garden In Every Lot
Renewing our community’s culture of gardening.
We help individuals and community organizations overcome barriers to starting gardens. Since 2020, over 140 backyard gardens have been installed for community members!
Individuals and families who do not already have a garden are eligible to receive garden site assessment on their property, site preparation, tilling, and free seeds and plant starts. Additional services for community and donation gardens include strategic planning, connections to local volunteers, and ongoing consultation to support their success.
Start Your Garden
A Garden in Every Lot offers residents of Black Hawk County starting a garden, including tilling services, plants starts, and seeds to get your first garden going!
Currently we are only offering free services to first-time gardeners, but we are happy to offer guidance and connect you with other local gardeners and resources if you already have a garden.
2023 Garden Impact Reports
"We were thrilled with the work of the Garden in Every Lot AmeriCorps members. Having their help in preparing the ground and bringing us the plants meant the difference between having a garden this year and not being able to do it. The plants thrived and we have frozen 24 pints of tomatoes to enhance our diet during the winter months." - Sally Browne, 2022 Gardener
Highland Park Community Garden was established in spring 2023 and provides 48 families with their own garden plots. Located at the Highland Park and maintained in partnership with the Highland Neighborhood Association, Black Hawk County Public Health, and Waterloo Leisure Services. The garden was expanded with 12 “emerging farmer” plots in 2024 for individuals interested in growing fruits and vegetables to sell within local markets.
“It’s a dream come true – I didn’t know that this was a need and an aspiration in my community!” Julie Molisho, Congolese Community Health Worker at Black Hawk County Public Health
The donation garden at Peoples Community Health Clinic was established to provide free produce to patients. In 2023, 50 volunteers helped to grow, harvest, and distribute 3,087 pounds of vegetables to patients
“I can’t believe the things I’ve done with vegetables since I started getting the produce from the garden. I mean, I put kale in spaghetti sauce they other night and it was delicious. My kids didn’t even notice, but they ate it right up. It feels good to be giving them fresh veggies every day.” - Peoples Community Health Clinic Patient who received free veggies from the garden.