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It’s important to know where your food comes from. Now more than ever, people want fruits and veggies that can be traced back to their origin. It’s all the better if you find them in your own backyard, so to speak. You may be on the lookout for community gardens here in Tucson, and if so, you’re in luck! We’ve found a few you can check out — whether you want to grow something, buy something, or learn to garden as part of the community!
Shay-Shay Community Garden
3800 E River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
Housed at the Jewish Community Center in town, also known as the Tucson J, Shay-Shay Garden serves as a memorial to community members who have passed away. It’s also a place where members can grow fresh, healthy produce — a project in collaboration with the Community Gardens of Tucson organization.
Nuestra Tierra Learning Garden
3003 S Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ 85713
Located at the main branch of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, this garden is designed to be a spot for people to learn about food production in the desert. Vegetable and herb gardens, a greenhouse, composting areas, and even a chicken coop serve as educational tools for anyone wanting to understand how to make the most of the land around them!
Las Milpitas de Cottonwood
2405 S Cottonwood Ln, Tucson, AZ 85713
The working farm of the Community Food Bank serves as a place for community members to grow food together. This locale also hosts educational workshops, but the main six-acre farm offers community plots and supplies for local residents wanting to grow their own vegetation — making it easier for low-income families to bring home healthy homegrown food! As one part of an entire local food system, Las Milpitas is a great place to come together for learning and growing food alike.
Mansfield Garden
Mansfield Park, 2000 N 4th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
This garden located at Mansfield Park serves as a great place for anyone wanting to join the Community Gardens of Tucson for a way to grow veggies to their heart’s content. You can start setting up artichokes, amaranth, melons, gourds, or even tomatoes in one of the provided 60-square-foot plots with supplied irrigation and tools for community use!
Doolen Community Garden
Doolen Middle School, 2400 N Country Club Rd, Tucson, AZ 85716
Off Country Club and Grant is a community garden where you can learn the trade or get to grow your own produce. Reduced fees are available for gardeners from low-income families, and regular plots are incredibly affordable at only $18 a month. This garden behind Doolen Middle School also encourages plot-sharing and finding a gardening buddy if you want to cut your costs even more. Either way, you can find a cheap way to bring home healthy food by setting up a plot at Doolen!
