.jpg)
planting seedlingsBuild-a-Garden is a program designed to get more people to grow their own food in Boston and Lynn. We will build you a raised bed garden and provide the support you will need to grow food successfully! Raised beds have many benefits: they can be built on pavement or on top of contaminated soil; it is easy to learn how to grow food in them; and they can be planted intensively to produce lots of food in a small space.
The program will provide you with:
- A raised bed garden including soil and compost
- Seeds and transplants
- A Growing Guide or a Guia de Cultivador
- Workshops
- Additional support by phone, an online blog, and newsletters
How do I apply?
To apply, please fill out the form below and send it to us.
Build-a-Garden Brochure (PDF)
Build-a-Garden sustantivo - español (PDF)
Build-a-Garden Application - English (PDF)
Build-a-Garden solicitud - español (PDF)
Build-a-Garden Application - for organizations and schools (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to receive a garden through the Build-a-Garden Program?
All Boston and Lynn residents who are interested in having a garden are encouraged to apply. No prior gardening experience is necessary. The Food Project prioritizes applicants with financial need who live in the following areas: Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, East Boston, and Lynn.
Do I have to pay for a raised bed garden?
In order to make the program accessible to all, The Food Project requires a minimum contribution of $10 for individuals and families and $25 per bed for organizations. However, we have limited funding so participants who are able to pay more are expected to contribute as much as possible toward the full cost of materials and labor, which is $250 for one raised bed.
How does the application process work?
Applications are reviewed throughout the year on a rolling basis. We will let you know that we have received your application. Once we have processed it, we will contact you to schedule a site visit. In scheduling site visits, priority is given to residents who live in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, East Boston, and Lynn, to community clusters, and to those with financial need.
The site visit will allow us to determine whether or not your location is suitable for a garden and answer all of your questions about the program. Payment is due at or before the site visit.
When all slots are filled for a season, incoming applicants are placed on a waitlist. The Food Project installs beds during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, and applicants are accepted into the program as space allows.
How can I tell if I have a good site for a raised bed?
The most important factor for a good raised bed site is adequate sunlight; the site must receive 6-8 hours of full sun every day in the summer. Having a water connection nearby is also useful. Once we receive your application, we will schedule a site visit to determine whether or not your location is suitable for a garden.
What is a community cluster?
A community cluster is a small group of raised bed gardens (minimum of 8 locations within walking distance) that provides a unique way to build community through gardening. Clusters offer many benefits such as a support network, community building, and Food Project workshops in your neighborhood. Each cluster will have a cluster leader, who will act as a liaison between The Food Project and their neighborhood. We encourage applicants to recruit their neighbors and apply as a cluster. Though not all raised beds will fit into the cluster model, cluster applicants are prioritized.
What are your responsibilities as a gardener?
Gardeners should care for their gardens throughout the season (about 1 hour per week), and seek guidance as needed. Participants are required to attend a planting workshop in May, where transplants can also be picked up. We hope the garden will be used for many years to come!
What if you want to build your own raised bed garden?
Check out our manual with instructions, prices and pictures of how to build your own.
What if I have more questions?
Please feel free to contact the Build-a-Garden Coordinator:
By phone: 617-442-1322 x12
By email: buildagarden(at)thefoodproject.org
Or visit the Build-a-Garden Blog.
