Sowing & growing together

Duke Farms Community Garden

The Duke Farms Community Garden provides Somerset County residents with a unique opportunity to grow fresh, organic produce while fostering a deeper connection to nature and community. Grounded in the principles of sustainability and equity, the garden serves as a microcosm of ecological and community solutions, modeling best practices for organic gardening and environmental stewardship.

Established in 2011, the Duke Farms Community Garden is the largest allotment-style garden in the nation, boasting 460 plots that reflect Duke Farms’ commitment to restoring biodiversity and supporting community well-being. Gardeners employ sustainable techniques such as no-till gardening, enhancing soil biology, and utilizing natural mulches to conserve water, aligning their efforts with nature-positive solutions.

The garden also serves as a place for education, offering members a variety of opportunities to enhance their gardening skills and deepen their understanding of organic practices. Additionally, the Giving Garden exemplifies the community’s dedication to equity, donating thousands of pounds of produce annually to local food banks.

Did you know?

Since 2015, the Duke Farms Community Garden has donated 43,000+ pounds of produce.

Did you know?

Since 2015, the Duke Farms Community Garden has donated 43,000+ pounds of produce.

2025 Community Garden plot rentals will begin on Thursday, January 2 at 9:00am. Register here.

Eligibility

Each garden plot is privately maintained by individual renters. Individuals who live and/or work in Somerset County, New Jersey are eligible to participate; commercial enterprises are not eligible to apply. Plots are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. New gardeners are restricted to one (1) plot in their first year of gardening. Returning gardeners may rent a maximum of three (3) plots and will have the opportunity to renew the same plot(s) each year should they wish.

For more info, please email cg@dukefarms.org.