There are more than 100 community gardens in and around Houston supported by Urban Harvest. Community garden volunteers are growing fruits and vegetables for donation, to educate students, to provide therapy, to sell and to take home. Below are descriptions of the different purposes community gardens serve.

Donation Gardens

As the name suggests donation gardens donate the vegetables and fruits they grow to local food pantries.

School Gardens
School gardens provide an excellent hands-on learning environment. Children learn science, math, and language in the garden as well as many other subjects through garden projects. In addition children learn valuable lessons in working as a team, decision making, life skills and compassion.

Neighborhood or Allotment Gardens
Community gardens in neighborhood parks or vacant lots can consist of individual family plots or a group gardening effort. These gardens provide an opportunity for neighbors to come together and grow nutritious food while creating a beautiful green space for community members to spend time in.

Therapy Gardens
Therapy gardens provide an opportunity for physical, emotional and spiritual health and healing. Gardens at hospitals, clinics, or special needs schools provide therapy to the disabled as well as an inexpensive source of nutrition. Gardens at elder care centers inspire residents to get exercise and fresh air while working with their neighbors in a community setting.

Market Gardens
Community gardens can provide a source of income for low-income residents as well as entrepreneurs. Local growers sell produce to individuals, restaurants and in farmers? markets.