Richfield Community Gardens Thrive—Just Not in City Limits

The Richfield Community Gardens are in full bloom as Minnesota’s growing season kicks into high gear. Located in a solitary field just west of a Minneapolis-St.Paul Airport runway, the gardens are accessible via 28th Avenue in Minneapolis, just south of Hwy 62.

Typically ready for planting in the first week of May, the runs the community gardens in conjunction with the city. is a co-sponsor of the project.

Karen Shragg, the Wood Lake Nature Center’s manager, said interest in renting plots has ballooned over the past five years.

“[This year] on the second day we sold out in maybe 15 minutes,” said Shragg. “Five years ago it was plodding along pretty nicely, and then two years ago it was really crazy.”

Why the Big Boom?

Shragg said interest in the gardens was the highest she’s ever seen it this past April, and doesn’t see any reason it will let up next year.

“I had people calling me about a couple [of garden plots] that weren’t being used,” Shragg said in reference to plots that hadn’t been gardened three weeks into May. “It’s a very hot thing.”

Shragg speculates that the burgeoning interest in the community gardens is due to pressure from the economy, residents’ interest in eating more healthful, locally-grown produce, and the organic garden planted on the White House’s South Lawn in 2009.

Commecial Gardening Prohibited; Produce Theft a Small Issue

Commercial gardening at the community gardens is prohibited, although Shragg said it does occur.

“If you see four garden plots together that are all growing the same crop, that’s probably commercial [gardening],” she said, also noting that there wasn’t much anyone could do about it.

Unfortunately, the gardens have seen some theft recently, with one gardener reporting that approximately 200 onions had been stolen out of their plot.

“You’re probably not using 200 onions all on your own,” Shragg said, meaning that the thief most likely turned around and sold the stolen onions as produce.

Why Are the Gardens Outside of Richfield?

The Metropolitan Airports Commission had originally donated use of the land, but recently began charging the city for its use. As a result, Shragg said there has recently been talk about moving the Richfield Community Gardens to another location—likely within city limits.

If the city decided to move the community gardens, Shragg would almost certainly shut down the 28th Avenue site, as staff at Wood Lake isn’t big enough to operate two community gardens. No decisions on moving the gardens have been made.

How Can I Start Gardening?

Residents interested in renting garden plots may contact the , which usually begins registration for the Community Gardens in the first week of April.

Garden plots measure 15 feet by 20 feet and are available for rent at the beginning of April for $30, with residents allowed to rent a maximum of four plots per household. The city installed 14 water spigots for gardeners' use, the cost of which is included in the rental fee.