Welcome to the NCROC Community Garden!
Welcome to the NCROC Community Garden! Interested in gardening? Applications for the 2025 season are now open! Applications are accepted November through May 1. Payment received by April 1 will secure a plot reservation; applications and payment received after April 1 will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to inquire about empty plots after May 1. Questions? Email us at [email protected].
- Applications are closed for the season, please reach out to [email protected] to inquire about empty plots or get on the waiting list for next year.
Community Garden history
The University of Minnesota’s North Central Research and Outreach Center (NCROC) has supported community gardening for over 25 years. Originally, a plot of University land south and east of the Itasca Calvary Cemetery was open for community residents to plant their own gardens. When that plot of land was no longer part of the University, community gardening was placed on hold. In 2002, NCROC dedicated a space for gardening in the current location where nonprofit organizations were invited to grow food for others in the “Plant to Plate” garden. In 2015, the nonprofit organization Get Fit Itasca partnered with NCROC to create the Itasca Community Garden at the site. Since then, this dedicated space has grown into a hub for gardeners to share knowledge and grow their own food. In 2025, the name was changed to NCROC Community Garden to more accurately reflect the garden space and partnerships. We hope you’ll join us to enjoy the many benefits of gardening in this wonderful space.
The garden season runs from the end of May until mid-October. There are 81 garden plots.