About
People’s Patchwork Community Garden is a garden with the sole purposes of uniting the community, utilizing sustainable practices, and, most importantly, donating fresh produce to our local food shelf. The garden is for the people, by the people. We invite our community to add their own piece to our 'Patchwork' by considering donating requested plants, seeds, and money.
The 'Patchwork' aspect of the garden is also inspired by the practice of companion planting, as well as the work of Maurice Pillard Verneuil, whose art is displayed around the website. As of August 2021, we are growing over 120 edible botanical varieties--including many varieties of apple, asparagus, bean, beet, blueberry, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, melon, okra, onion, pea, pepper, potato, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, sunflower, strawberry, tomatillo, tomato, turnip, and zucchini.
In April of 2021, the garden was simply an abstract idea. As the Earth warmed and the logistics clarified, the garden grew. Now, we plan to operate the garden throughout Minnesota's growing season. People’s Patchwork Community Garden is a 4,800 square foot garden located on a spare field on 7550 Corporate Way in Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
The 'Patchwork' aspect of the garden is also inspired by the practice of companion planting, as well as the work of Maurice Pillard Verneuil, whose art is displayed around the website. As of August 2021, we are growing over 120 edible botanical varieties--including many varieties of apple, asparagus, bean, beet, blueberry, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, melon, okra, onion, pea, pepper, potato, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, sunflower, strawberry, tomatillo, tomato, turnip, and zucchini.
In April of 2021, the garden was simply an abstract idea. As the Earth warmed and the logistics clarified, the garden grew. Now, we plan to operate the garden throughout Minnesota's growing season. People’s Patchwork Community Garden is a 4,800 square foot garden located on a spare field on 7550 Corporate Way in Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
Community
Our mission is to cultivate, harvest, and donate fresh produce to our local Eden Prairie food shelf. While the garden is mainly managed by Calista Swensen, we invite all people to help us plant the seeds of positive change--no matter the color of your "gardening thumb." Anyone and everyone who would like to help can help. We gladly accept donations in many forms, including monetary donations for garden supplies and seedlings or seeds of requested plants throughout the planting season. In the spring and summer, we plan to open the garden for community service/volunteering opportunities.
Sustainability
We aim to grow food for the community while respecting the land and Minnesota’s natural ecosystems. We utilize many organic gardening practices such as fertilizing with compost, companion planting, and discouraging pests and diseases with natural methods instead of harmful chemicals. Additionally, rainwater is collected in three large storage tanks and distributed across the garden through a soaker hose irrigation system. In an effort to preserve the planet’s heirloom plants and ensure ethical practices, we also collect and save seeds from the garden to use in the future.