{"id":93,"date":"2025-01-01T19:00:36","date_gmt":"2025-01-01T19:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-dug.flywheelsites.com\/?page_id=93"},"modified":"2025-08-14T18:02:04","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T18:02:04","slug":"start-a-garden","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dug.org\/gardens-food-forests\/community-gardens\/start-a-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Start a Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” video_bg=”use_video” video_mp4=”https:\/\/dug.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/new-vid.mp4″ background_video_loading=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”10%” bottom_padding=”4%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” enable_gradient=”true” color_overlay=”#000000″ color_overlay_2=”rgba(0,0,0,0.15)” overlay_strength=”0.8″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”fast” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”2\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” column_padding_type=”default” gradient_type=”default”][nectar_highlighted_text text_color=”#ffffff” scribble_color=”#d1eb2f” style=”scribble” scribble_thickness=”thin” scribble_speed=”1.3s” scribble_easing=”ease_in_out” text_direction=”default”]\n

Start a Garden or Food Forest<\/h1>\n[\/nectar_highlighted_text][nectar_btn size=”large” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”see-through-2″ color_override=”#ffffff” hover_color_override=”#ffffff” hover_text_color_override=”#000000″ icon_family=”default_arrow” margin_top=”30″ url=”https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdELKoQiyHzYJJ8R4M_ktBOvXnd9lF28MxAqzyYYDt-KdRK_w\/viewform&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1744282040677195&usg=AOvVaw3GwhXhYDixN0-_kwraQ3Is” text=”FILL OUT THE INTEREST FORM”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/3″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”60px” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” top_padding=”5%” constrain_group_1=”yes” bottom_padding=”5%” top_padding_tablet=”10%” constrain_group_3=”yes” bottom_padding_tablet=”10%” top_padding_phone=”15%” constrain_group_5=”yes” bottom_padding_phone=”15%” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” gradient_type=”default” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”3\/5″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

Are you interested in starting a new DUG community garden or food forest?<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]DUG offers individuals, community organizers, grassroots groups, and neighborhood associations the essential technical expertise for planning, launching, and maintaining community gardens and food forests across Metro Denver.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are a city planner, management company or developer looking to add a community garden to the list of your community\u2019s amenities, learn more about our Community Collaborator program<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=”large” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Extra-Color-1″ icon_family=”default_arrow” text=”Interest Form” margin_top=”30″ url=”https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdELKoQiyHzYJJ8R4M_ktBOvXnd9lF28MxAqzyYYDt-KdRK_w\/viewform&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1744282040677195&usg=AOvVaw3GwhXhYDixN0-_kwraQ3Is”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ 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desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][tabbed_section style=”minimal” tab_change_animation=”fade” alignment=”left” spacing=”default” tab_color=”Extra-Color-3″ vs_content_animation=”fade” vs_link_animation=”opacity” vs_navigation_alignment=”left” vs_navigation_width_2=”25%” vs_navigation_func=”default” vs_navigation_width=”regular” vs_navigation_spacing=”15px” vs_navigation_mobile_display=”visible” vs_tab_spacing=”5%” cta_button_style=”extra-color-1″ icon_size=”24″][tab icon_family=”none” title=”Support Services” id=”1755194502246-7″ tab_id=”1755194502246-5″][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” 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DUG\u2019s Support Services Include:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Coordinating License Agreements and terms with landowner partners<\/li>\n
  2. Hosting community interest meetings<\/li>\n
  3. Designing and building gardens<\/li>\n
  4. Supporting garden organization, leadership, outreach, and maintenance<\/li>\n
  5. Connecting nearby gardens and gardeners to each other through our Micro Networks<\/li>\n
  6. Utilizing gardens as extraordinary places for learning and healthy living<\/li>\n
  7. Building gardens to serve as outdoor classrooms<\/li>\n
  8. Linking gardens with related local food system projects and policy<\/li>\n
  9. Fundraising support if needed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Take a look at DUG\u2019s About<\/a> page to see all the ways DUG supports community gardens after they are built.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/tab][tab icon_family=”none” id=”1755194502266-3″ title=”Essential Criteria” tab_id=”1755194502267-3″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

    Essential Criteria for New DUG Gardens<\/h3>\n

    New DUG gardens are prioritized according to these guidelines:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. At least one new build a year is prioritized for an area where greater food access and food sovereignty are needed<\/li>\n
    2. A critical mass of at least 10 people from all involved sectors (school, administration, community, neighborhood partners) need to be involved in the garden organizing and be interested having a plot at the garden<\/li>\n
    3. All Garden Leaders must be interested in having a plot at the community garden<\/li>\n
    4. The garden must be fully funded before the build begins<\/li>\n
    5. The new garden should not be within 1 mile of a garden that is not at 100% capacity<\/li>\n
    6. The proposed site must have access to water<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/tab][tab icon_family=”none” title=”How to Apply” id=”1755194502276-0″ tab_id=”1755194502277-0″][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]\n

      In order to fully support our network of existing community gardens and to ensure all new gardens are successful, DUG typically builds no more than two community gardens a year.<\/h4>\n

      The process to approve, build and launch a community garden typically takes three to five years from start to finish. DUG\u2019s 2024 schedule is full. There are a couple different paths to a new DUG garden:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. DUG’s 2025 schedule is currently full.<\/li>\n
      2. If you are in another area of town and your project is fully funded, DUG can connect you with a trusted partner to create your DUG garden. Please fill out this application!<\/a><\/li>\n
      3. If you are interested in a new garden anywhere in the Denver Metro area, fill out this application.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        If you\u2019d like assistance funding and a full DUG build, those builds will be 2027 or later.[\/vc_column_text][\/tab][\/tabbed_section][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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