The Cambridge Community Garden was founded in the Spring of 2009, in the old Asgrow Seed Company trial gardens on Washington Street in Cambridge, NY, just down the street from Hubbard Hall. Our mission is to establish “a welcoming organic garden where we grow healthy food, create beauty, share knowledge, nurture relationships, and have fun.”
The property is owned by Hubbard Hall and was acquired by way of a generous donation in 2014 from the previous owners. The Garden is not only used for growing vegetables, fruits and flowers but for learning about gardening, for performances including Shakespeare theater and for making art and community happen.
The Cambridge Community Garden offers those that are interested in gardening but may not have any land or adequate sunny spaces or too many deer, a place to grow enough food to reduce their food budget, to learn about gardening with access to experienced gardeners or a way to get involved with the community to share in the love of gardening and nature.
The Garden includes both shared garden space that creates a park-like atmosphere and private “victory garden” style garden plots. There are berry bushes, a small orchard and a herb patch as part of the shared space.
Since the spring of 2010 volunteers from the community garden have gone in to Cambridge Central School, grades K – 5 to help each child make a newspaper pot, fill it with soil and plant a seed. By June 1st the students have all walked to the garden to plant out their little seedlings. Kindergarteners always plant flowers that go in the beds along Washington Street for the public to enjoy. They also plant potatoes that the next class of kindergarteners harvest the following fall. Fourth graders always have a 3 sisters bed of corn, beans and squash that the following grade harvests in the fall and cooks up for a Thanksgiving feast. Fifth graders always plant rice to learn about the foods that feed the world. Other classes plant foods that are either used for community events or go to the local food pantry.
Families interested in gardening can become members for $10 for the year. Renting a private plot (which is optional) costs an additional $15 for 240 square feet and $25 for 600 square feet. There are also corn shares available for $10 for 100 square feet. Financial assistance is available for those in need. These fees cover the cost of water, compost, and other materials, tools and services necessary to support the garden. Experienced gardeners will be available to help those new to gardening get started and to answer questions. We also organize plant and seed swaps and other events of general interest to all gardeners. Click here to pay your membership and plot fees online.
All members are asked to attend one of the organizational meetings and to put in 8 hours on the common areas of the garden over the course of the summer. There are 4 different days established during the spring, summer and fall when you can join in a community garden work day. Specific dates and times will be posted on our Facebook page and the garden website. Dogs are welcome but must be leashed during the growing season, May through October. Please always clean up after your dogs.
Cambridge Community Garden can accommodate children’s group, senior centers, food pantries or other organizations, by participating at special events and learning projects. These groups can contact Bliss McIntosh directly at 518.677.3151 to discuss.
Cambridge Community Garden announces New Gardeners Program!
Beginning in April 2025 (as weather permits) the Community Garden Beginners Program will offer small plots and weekly guidance to five individuals or families. If you have wanted to try growing your own food or flowers, but have not known how to begin, this program is for you.
Participants will learn the basics of establishing new garden beds, seed starting, planting techniques, weed identification and much more.
Each participant must commit to a once a week half hour meeting with the garden mentor plus attendance at one of the several work days focused on the common areas of the garden. There will be some fairly vigorous work involved, especially in initial clearing of the plots.
If you are interested in a plot, or have questions, contact Caz Lewis at 518.677.5430 or catharine.lewis53@gmail.com
Mailing List – If you are interested in hearing about events at the garden or plan to join as a member, please like us on Facebook or contact us to join our email list so you will receive our announcements.
How to Join – To participate as a gardener, please fill out an Application Form, Pay Your Fees Online, or Contact Us by email at garden@hubbardhall.org or call Bliss at 518.677.3151. Application forms can be mailed to Community Garden c/o Bliss McIntosh, 1318 County Route 59, Cambridge, NY 12816. Please make checks out to Hubbard Hall Projects.
Renewing your membership and plot fees – Renew online!
Help Spread the Word – Please tell your friends and neighbors about the Cambridge Community Gardens located just down the street from Hubbard Hall. And follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/Cambridge Community Garden
Scott’s Miracle Gro Foundation generously awarded the Community Garden a $10,000 grant to help support our projects to supply a permanent water source to the garden and fence the area to protect our crops from deer and other wild critters. Scott’s also shot a video of our wonderful garden. “It’s a magical moment when children dig their fingers into the earth for the first time. This past Earth Day, Scott’s Miracle-Gro shared the story of the Cambridge Community Gardens in New York, that’s connecting the next generation to nature and teaching them where their food comes from. Explore the magic of the earth in your own community.”
Come Grow With Us!
Thank you to all the volunteer gardeners who make the Community Garden possible!
