Shared Plots are spaces in the garden which are stewarded collaboratively by volunteer gardeners rather than individuals. They are marked by the sign below:
Why Shared Plots?
This 2025 pilot program is part of our mission to provide access to the benefits of gardening to more people.
Shared Plots provide an opportunity for aspiring gardeners on the waitlist to start to garden sooner. Waitlists for a garden plot in Richmond can be up to three years! Shared Plots are intended to help waitlisters get in the garden until they can get a plot of their own to tend.
Shared Plots also provide a lower-commitment pathway to gardening, as the labour is shared among a group. Responsibility to manage an entire plot year-round is too much for many gardeners, who nonetheless cherish their time tending crops. Shared Plots spread the work and the harvests around.
Shared Plots can also increase community connections. While some Shared Plot volunteers come on their own to water once a week, others choose to organize work parties to meet and learn from other gardeners. We believe that community gardens can be a crucial spaces to combat the rising social isolation in our society, and Shared Plots expand their reach to more people!
Where are the Shared Plots?
The following Urban Bounty gardens have Shared Plots: Alexandra, Brighouse, Cook, Garratt, Garden City Lands, General Currie, Greentree, Hamilton, Railway-Moncton, and Railway-Hollymount.
What Grows in the Shared Plots?
Gardeners can choose what to plant in shared plots! For example, the Shared Plot at Garden City Lands is currently planted with tomatoes, fava beans, eggplant, peas, and corn. We also recommend native wildflowers, for gardeners that would prefer a lower-maintenance garden that also beautifies the area, feeds pollinators, and provides cut flowers for bouquets!
How do I get involved?
To garden in a Shared Plot, read more about volunteering as a Shared Plot Steward here.
This is a new program, and we welcome feedback and ideas! Please reach out via our contact form.
