The Manhattan Community Garden is a cooperative gardening project located in the south part of Manhattan, Kansas. Land is provided by the City of Manhattan and supervised by UFM. The Garden is located in southern Manhattan at 9th and Riley Lane. Over 150 plots are available on an annual basis. A small plot rental fee is charged to cover costs of operating the program. Rent is charged on a sliding fee scale to allow all income groups to participate. Water, mulch, tools, seeds and advice are available.

Orientation and plot rental occurs each year beginning in February and continues until all plots are rented. A plot rental fee is charged based on income and ranges from 2 1/2 cents to 6 cents per square foot. A $10.00 per plot deposit for cleanup is also required.

Plot Signup and Orientation dates for new gardeners take place in February and March. 

****All garden plots have been taken, and we currently have a waiting list.

Call UFM at 539-8763 for more information.

Plant A Row for the Hungry

Manhattan Community Garden is a local sponsor of Plant A Row for the Hungry.

You Can Make A Difference !

Plant A Row for the Hungry is a people-helping-people program designed to assist in feeding the hungry in their own community.
PAR is rooted in the heartfelt tradition of gardeners sharing a bountiful harvest with others. You can make a difference by planting
an extra row or a few extra plants to share with the Flint Hills Breadbasket.

Leave your harvest in the designated area for pick up on dates designated in the Garden Newsletter.

Garden History

The Manhattan Community Garden began in 1974 with a mini grant from ACTION, coordinated by UFM. Basic gardening supplies were purchased. The land was purchased by Urban Renewal and was 150 ft from the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. This space was zoned as green space for the next 20 years. No change has been made since that time.

The City and many volunteers cleared the old houses and trees from the site. A local nursery provided a tractor and fertilizer to turn the soil. The city agreed to install water meters and spigots at the site. The City agreed to donate water. A local bank donated seeds for the first year.

The first year they had 60 plots planted.

A shed was donated by a developmental center and a small grant from Social Rehabilitation Services assisted during the first years. A children’s garden was added next to the main garden in 1979. A new shed was donated by D&R Construction in 2004.

The lease on the 3 acres of gardening space is held by UFM Community Learning Center and renewed by the City of Manhattan every five years.

Currently the Garden has 160 plots. A plot rental is charged on a sliding scale to cover garden expenses.

For more information, call UFM at (785) 539-8763 or e-mail info@tryufm.org.