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Pop-Up Community Gardens Pilot

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To help support Edmontonians access to fresh food and ease the worry of food security for many, the City of Edmonton is expanding the number of community gardens this year through the creation of a temporary pop-up community garden pilot. These pop-up gardens consist of raised beds designed for community food production, and provide a safe recreational opportunity. They will be removed after the growing season has ended.

The pilot provides additional food growing opportunities to the community with a goal to add over 350 gardening plots in 30 temporary garden sites across the city. Each selected site will be provided with 7-15 planter boxes for community food production. The City will deliver the planter boxes, including soil, to each selected site and will also water each planter box twice per week. Exact dates and times will be determined by the City. Gardeners must provide:

  • Plants
  • Seeds
  • Disinfecting products
  • Personal gardening protective equipment and tools
  • Gardening knowledge and dedicated commitment to support the garden

The following map shows a list of the Pop-Up Community Gardens for the 2020 pilot.

Pop-Up Community Gardens Selection Process

The City performs the adjudication process based on the following criteria (in random order):

  • Applicants would preferably be the lead of a community group or an organization and have members ready to garden. Multigenerational gardening opportunities are encouraged.
  • Demonstrate proof of commitment (example: existing applications to the City of Edmonton's Community Garden program or other funding/partnership commitments; intentions to have a permanent Community Garden in the future). 
  • Willingness to create plans that guide the operations of Pop-Up Community Gardens.
  • Priority neighbourhoods (based on number of grocery stores and/or number of multi-family buildings).
  • Hard surfaces (pavement, cement or gravel) are preferred for proposed garden areas.
  • Operational logistics about planter delivery and watering.
  • Distribution of gardens throughout the city.
  • Willingness to comply with the City of Edmonton's Community Garden Requirements and Alberta Health Services (AHS) public health orders.

COVID-19 Related Guidelines for Pop-Up Community Gardens

Capacity 

No more than 50 people are allowed in the garden at any one time. Please respect the limit and wait your turn if the garden is at capacity.

Distancing

Minimum 2 metre distance between individuals at all times.

Purpose

Time spent in the gardens is for growing edible plants only. Please do not hold large gatherings or social events.

Hand Washing

Wash or sanitize your hands before entering and after exiting the garden site.

Equipment/Tools

Gardeners must bring their own equipment/tools, gardening gloves, and disinfecting products. Please take these items with you when you leave.

Garbage Disposal

If garbage receptacles are not located within the garden, gardeners must take their garbage with them. 

Service Animals Only

Service animals must be leashed, wearing service vest/identification, and must not be in direct contact with edibles. Please wash your hands before and after interacting with pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many gardens are available?

The intention of this pilot is the addition of up to 30 temporary pop-up garden sites located across the city.  Each selected site will be provided with 7-15 planter boxes for community food production. Some exceptions for sites with more than 15 planters may be considered.

How many planter boxes can each household get?

To ensure fair and equitable distribution, it’s recommended to limit 1 planter box per household, unless the household is growing food for others in need, for example, donating to the Edmonton Food Bank, Mustard Seed, among others. 

How are planter boxes assigned?

Group applicants will assign the gardeners to their specific planter boxes.

Where can I choose to place a garden?

Locations for the pop-up gardens have to be on City-owned parkland or community league licensed land. Preference will be given to gardens that will be placed on hard surfaces (pavement, cement or gravel). Example: Community League parking lot or a parking lot of a district park.

Tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, ice rinks, sports fields and the North Saskatchewan River Valley are excluded. 

How are Pop-Up Gardens different from Community Gardens?

The pop-up gardens are temporary raised bed gardens that will be removed after the growing season has ended. Community Gardens are a more permanent installment of garden beds that can have both raised garden beds and in the ground gardens.

Another difference is the Pop-Up Garden Pilot has a shorter application process and gardening can begin this year, whereas a Community Garden has a more thorough application and design process. The more complex application process will not allow for gardening to occur this growing season if the application hasn’t already been submitted. 

What can I plant in the pop-up gardens?

These gardens are for growing edible plants only. Produce from the pop-up gardens should be for personal use or for supporting others in need; no commercial use. 

When will pop-up gardens be removed?

Removal of temporary planter boxes will begin on September 28, weather permitting. Garden groups must harvest their produce by September 27.

Why is this a pilot?

The Pop-Up Community Gardens Pilot has been established this year to provide additional temporary garden plots in support of the Community Gardens program so citizens can grow food within Edmonton and have additional outside recreational activities. This pilot program has been designed to follow Alberta Health Services recommendations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. At the end of the season the pilot program will be reviewed to determine if this pilot could be implemented as a program in following years.

Will the pop-up garden pilot continue next year?

The pop-up garden pilot was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be evaluated in the fall/winter season of 2020. Budgets, staff resources and community needs will all be considered to decide on the future of this pilot. In the meantime, we encourage community groups to start a conversation with your Neighbourhood Resource Coordinators to decide if a more permanent community garden project is the right fit for your community.

For More Information

Title Community Greening Coordinator
Email communitygardens@edmonton.ca

311 Contact Centre

Online Contact 311 Online
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555

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