Community garden opens rental plots

As of Feb. 1, Bloomington residents who seek gardening space outside their homes could sign on for another year of community growing.

The community gardening program through the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department rents more than 200 plots to Bloomington residents from April through October.

“Sometimes people don’t have everything they need at their home to do the type of gardening they would like,” Community Garden Manager Robin Hobson said. “Some people have a shady yard or want more space or live in an apartment and don’t have land for gardening. Sometimes people just prefer to have a social element to their gardening.”

The city is granting renters in good standing from the 2011 season a 17-day grace period to renew their plots. On Feb. 20, the remaining plots will become available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis.

Located in Winslow Woods Park on South Highland Avenue, the Willie Streeter Community Gardens have 180 rentable beds that range in price from $31 to $72, depending upon the renter’s residency and the size of the plot. The community garden in Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park has 38 organic plots available in two sizes, which range in price from $26 to $48.

Hobson said the spaces are in high demand and that all the plots are usually purchased by May.

— Katie Mettler