Home

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. Over 160 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 5 cents per square foot. A $10.00 per plot deposit for cleanup is also required.

Plot Signup and Orientation dates take place in February through April each year. 

Dates for Spring 2005 Plot Signup meetings:

Returning Gardeners:
February 2, Wednesday, 7:30 pm, UFM
February 12, Saturday, 10 am, UFM

New Gardeners:
March 2, Wednesday, 7:30 pm at UFM
March 12, Saturday, 10 am at UFM
April 2, Saturday, 10 am at UFM as needed
 

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.

The lease on the 3 ½ acres of gardening space is held by UFM Community Learning Center and renewed by the City of Manhattan every three years.

Currently the Garden has 161 plots plus the Children’s Garden. 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 ufm@ksu.edu. You will be put in touch with the Garden Coordinator.