Community Garden
Welcome to the Norristown Sprouts Community Garden!
This community garden is funded by the PA Department of Health’s Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and maintained by the Montgomery County Office of Public Health (MCOPH). The garden is a joint partnership between Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy and MCOPH and is located at Eisenhower Science and Technology Leadership Academy at 1601 Markley Street in Norristown, PA. The Norristown Sprouts Community Garden was founded in 2021 to primarily serve Norristown residents to bring access to nutritious foods.
What is a Community Garden?
A community garden is a shared plot of land where people gather together to grow fresh vegetables, herbs, plants, and flowers. Community gardens give everyone, a chance to enjoy the pleasures of gardening, even if they do not have the space at home. Community gardens typically have rules to ensure the garden is maintained properly and that members share in the upkeep.
What are the benefits of participating in a Community Garden?
There are many benefits of community gardens including beautifying the community, producing fresh produce, fostering healthy lifestyles, building stronger communities, educational opportunities, and a cleaner environment.
Difference between a Communal bed and an individual bed
An individual bed is a plot in which the gardener will maintain, grow, and reap the benefits from that space only. Communal gardening is sharing and working on a plot with one or more neighbors. Communal garden plots allow multiple people to partake in maintaining and harvesting the plants. Norristown Sprouts will feature a few communal beds in the garden. If you sign-up to help maintain the communal beds, you will also be able to reap the benefits from those plots as well, i.e. you will be able to take the vegetables or herbs grown in that plot.
When is our Garden Open?
The garden is open from March/April through November (weather permitting). Garden visitation is permitted only during the designated hours due to the garden’s location on school property:
| Days of the Week | During the School Year | Outside of the School Year and Summer School | If Summer School is in Session |
| Monday - Friday | Sunrise to 7:00 am and 4:00 pm-dusk | Sunrise - dusk | 1:00 pm -dusk |
| Saturday - Sunday | Sunrise - dusk | Sunrise - dusk | Sunrise - dusk |
How do you get a garden plot?
~ ALL SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING PLACED ON OUR WAITLIST. INDIVIDUALS WILL REMAIN ON THE WAITLIST FOR 1 YEAR. ~
February 2023: Applications open to current members
March 2023: Applications open to the waitlist
March 2023: Applications open to the general public - We are no longer accepting applications for the 2023 season.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Norristown resident, Norristown school, or Norristown organization
- Be 16 years or older
- Have or able to obtain current child clearances (can be obtained for free here)
If you are eligible based on the above criteria, please complete the membership application. Once the application is submitted, the Garden Coordinator will contact you.
What are the next steps?
- The Garden Coordinator will contact you to arrange a walk-through of the garden. During this time, you will pick your garden plot number. See the image to the right for available plots (click image to enlarge).
- The Garden Coordinator will then send you a link to the garden agreement and liability waiver, where you will sign that you have read the agreement's terms and conditions and agree to them.
How do I Volunteer?
Volunteers are welcome at the Norristown Sprouts Community Garden. To be eligible, you must:
- Be 16 years or older
- Have or able to obtain current child clearances (can be obtained for free here)
Please complete the Volunteer Application (Spanish). Once you submit the application, the Garden Coordinator will contact you.
Contact Information
Email: norristownsprouts@montgomerycountypa.gov
Garden Coordinator: Shanita Fields
Assistant Garden Coordinator: Cassidy Bowen
Garden Clean-up
We need help closing down the community garden for the season on Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5 & 11 and 12. Tasks include:
- Removing debris and trash around the garden
- Covering plots with weedblock fabric
- Shoveling and raking
- Moving heavy outdoor furniture
Sign-up here!
Current Events
Nothing scheduled at this time.
