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Join a Garden

Each garden is different. Most gardens that accept new members have a protocol (formal or informal) for joining. Here's how to find the right contact person in the garden that you want to join:

1. If the garden is open, stop in and ask a member. If the garden is closed, look for a sign near the gate for a phone number or website.
2. Call GreenThumb (Dept. of Parks & Recreation) at 212-788-8070 and request the garden coordinator's contact information.

Start a New Garden

You need two things: land and at least 10 initial members to register a new Community Garden in NYC. GreenThumb is the branch of Dept. of Parks & Recreation that registers new gardens, contact them at 212-788-8070

1. Find land
   1. Walk around your neighborhood
   2. Search vacant lots on oasisnyc.net
   3. Call GreenThumb or your Community Board (dial 311 for this info) to see if they know of land available near you
2. Find out who owns the land
   1. Search the address or block and lot on oasisnyc.net
   2. Click "Location Report" to find out who owns the land
   3. Call or visit the Department of Buildings (dial 311)
3. Create a list of members, with contact information
4. If the lot is publicly owned:
   1. Find out which agency has jurisdiction
   2. Call GreenThumb to begin the registration process and to get resources
5. If the lot is privately owned:
   1. Discuss your plan and ask for insurance, then get permission in writing from the landlord
6. Once you have permission, call GreenThumb to register and to get resources

More information

• To acquire resources for the garden such as soil and building materials, see GreenThumb's FAQs
• For training programs and gardener exchanges, see GreenThumb, Just Food, New York Restoration Project and Green Guerillas
• To find out how much food is grown in community gardens, see Farming Concrete
• List of community gardens' websites