Project Grow Gardens are dotted across Ann Arbor. You may have passed by one on a walk or drive through town.
Project Grow Gardens:
- We are a community of gardeners.
- We practice sustainable organic gardening principles at sites across Ann Arbor.
- We share knowledge and learn from each other.
- We plant, tend, and harvest to sustain ourselves, our families, and our community.
- We give back to the broader community:
- Through annual events;
- Through classes open to the public; and
- Through donations to Ann Arbor food banks.
Individual plots at each site are like houses in a neighborhood. Individuals are responsible for their own plots and work with their garden neighbors to manage the site as a whole.
Growing Good Gardeners Since 1972
We love meeting new people! Please read through our website to learn more about our mission, what we do, and how you can connect with us.
Mission Statement
Project Grow Gardens provides the space, education, and inspiration to make organic gardening accessible to all.
Our Roots
Since 1972, Project Grow has been facilitating community gardens throughout Ann Arbor, making it one of the oldest standing community garden organizations in the nation. The idea of community gardens, however, dates back even farther.
In the years surrounding the World Wars, citizens in many countries affected by the wars planted vegetables to help make up for food shortages. These "Victory Gardens," as they were often called, found home on public land as their objective was a civic one. The gardens supported the war effort as food was diverted to feed the troops abroad and citizens at home to supplement the standard rations.
Despite their success and popularity, the conclusion of World War II contributed to the demise of the Victory Garden as most of the original community gardens died out.
With the 1970s came new environmental awareness and the resurgence of the ideals of community growing space. In 1972, a group of Ann Arbor residents organized a handful of gardens that were permitted to use public space. Now, many years later, Project Grow has built upon this foundation and each year facilitates 20+ individual sites across the community, providing over 350 individual plots. The organization also teaches garden-related classes, subsidizes fees for those who need financial help, and more. Learn more about Project Grow's full range of activities!
What We Do
Community Gardens
Project Grow has served the Ann Arbor community as a private, non-profit, community gardening organization since 1972. We identify potential garden sites, arrange for their use, and maintain them as part of our network of community gardens. As of 2025, we manage 23 garden sites throughout the city, ranging in size from 5 plots at Wines Elementary School to over 80 plots at our largest site, County Farm Park.
To get the most out of your gardening experience, we strongly encourage you to be part of the community at your garden site. Talk to your garden neighbors, ask for and share gardening ideas, seeds, and plants, and work on shared tasks. We all share a love of gardening. Working in and around your garden is the best way to support these gardens. Most of all, have fun and enjoy!
Special Events
Throughout the year, we hold annual events celebrating gardening that reach out to the public and develop connections with Ann Arbor residents. Watch the newsletter for announcements about these events. Among our standing annual events are a Seed Share (March thru May), Heirloom Plant Sale in May, and a Tomato Tasting in mid-August. All of these emphasize the value of organic gardening, heirloom plants (especially heirloom tomatoes and peppers), and seed saving.
You can find us representing Project Grow at local events including the AADL Farm & Garden Fest, Earth Day and the Monarch Festival at Leslie Science and Nature Center among others.
Education
Project Grow offers classes and workshops to anyone who would like to learn more about gardening, organic gardening, seed saving, harvesting produce, preserving the harvest, and other gardening-related topics. In addition, we sponsor an ongoing certificate in composting through the Master Composter Certificate Program, offered in partnership with the Washtenaw County Department of Public Works. Check our website or newsletter for upcoming classes.
How We Operate
Governance and Operation
Project Grow is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and day-to-day business and program management are carried out by the Managing Director. Information on the current board members and managing director can be found on our website, www.projectgrowgardens.org. Board meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 7 pm. The meetings are held either via Zoom or in person at the Ann Arbor Senior Center, 1320 Baldwin Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
All board meetings are open to the public. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please contact the Managing Director at [email protected] to find out how to attend the next meeting.
Finances
The largest source of income for Project Grow is the plot fees we charge our gardeners. But, these fees only partially cover the costs of running Project Grow. Our expenses include
- Water
- Tilling
- Gardening tools and equipment
- Insurance and accounting services
- Information technology (a website, email, Zoom, telephone)
- Office supplies
- Salaries
Income from our annual plant sale, fees from the Master Composter Certificate Program, and donations of time and money from our members and supporters help to cover the rest of the costs.
Communication
Project Grow uses several channels to distribute information about the goings on of the organization. These channels can include email, a monthly newsletter, the Project Grow website, and social media.
Communication between Project Grow and Gardeners:
The newsletter, renewal letters, and other announcements for the entire organization are sent using Constant Contact. Make sure we have a functioning email for you and consider adding [email protected] to your safe sender’s list. We can send the information, but it is up to you to act. Please be aware that if you unsubscribe from Constant Contact, you will stop receiving all announcements, including renewal letters.
Communication between Gardeners and Site Coordinators:
Communication is one of the most important parts of Project Grow and reinforces the community gardening environment. We encourage you to inform your site coordinator when vacation, travel plans, or other situations will impact your gardening routine, to ask questions about pest control or identification, and especially if you have questions about plot maintenance at your site. It is easier to ask ahead of time than to be overwhelmed by an out-of-control garden maintenance issue.