Community Gardens in Florida's Central Region

Community gardens are a very profitable idea for the community because it aids people in getting out to exercise by tending to their own garden as well as providing organic and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. These gardens are profitable as well because they save the lower class community much money in groceries. In the central region of Florida there are a few community gardens with more springing up as we speak. Floridians are becoming aware of the green goldmine that is beneath their feet. Here are a few gardens worth considering should you plan to visit this area or live here but did not know about the gardens.

In St. Petersburg, Florida there is a park that houses a community garden. It is called Bartlett Park Community Garden and is located at 1443 Highland Street South in St. Petersburg, Florida. Membership is $25/year or $3/month to purchase a plant plot for use. It is best to come on Saturday between 9am and noon to help as well as to pick. For more information contact Bartlett Park Community Garden at phone number: 941-504-6890.

Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is a community garden based out of Tampa Bay. It is located at 6942 West Comanche Ave. Tampa, Florida 33634 off of Hanley Road in Tampa Bay. Sweetwater Organic Community Farm is open to the public from November through May on Sundays between noon and 4pm. You must make an appointment Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 9am to noon. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Sweetwater Organic Community Farm also produces a farmers Market on Sundays from noon to 4pm during the open season. For more information call Sweetwater Organic Community Farm at phone number: (813) 887-4066

Arboretum is a new project coming from the University of Central Florida. It is behind the UCF Environmental Center. It is in its infant stage of development for customers, though Arboretum encompasses 82 acres of land. There are two mounds growing with edible vegetation as we speak.

For more information contact the Arboretum at:

UCF Environmental Initiative
4000 Central Florida Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32816-3268
Phone: (407) 823-3583
Fax: (407) 823-3569
Email: arboretum@mail.ucf.edu

Harry P. Leu Gardens funds and maintains two community gardens. One is a the corner of Orlando's Willows Neighborhood. The Willows is beyond the northeast corner of Silver Star Road and Pine Hills Road. The 2^nd community garden is located at 654 W. Robinson Street in Orlando, Florida. It is called the Parramore Garden and is an authentic community garden that caters to the community giving sustainable nutrient plant life.