Growing Your Own Food

The ability to easily access food is critical right now, there is no easier way than growing your own food. Below is a list of resources to help you, whether in your own back yard or at a community garden.

Looking for inspiration and some visual demonstrations? Check out the Victory Gardens series done by UMaine Extension.

Community Gardens and Growing Spaces in the Merrymeeting Bay Region

Community gardens are valuable as they provide people with the ability to grow their own food. Additionally, many community gardens have plots where food is grown for food pantries and other food access programs.

Please use the links on this page to access contact information for gardens, applications, garden guidelines and general information.  Many gardens offer scholarship if the plot fee is a financial barrier.

L.O.C.A.L. Garden (Bath)

• Food access program growing only

Peary’s Garden (Bowdoinham)

• Plot system

• Plots available to area residents- all are welcome

Brunswick Senior Garden (Brunswick)

• Plot system

• Plots available to Brunswick Seniors

Tom Settlemire Community Garden (Brunswick)

• Plot system and Common Good Garden/ food access program

• Plots available to area residents

Freeport Community Garden (Freeport)

• Plot program and food access program

• Plots available to area residents- all are welcome

Wolfe’s Neck Community Garden (Freeport)

• Plot program and food access program plots

• Plots available to area residents

Harpswell Community Garden (Harpswell)

• Plot system and Common Good Garden/ food access program

• Plots available to Harpswell residents

Lisbon Community Garden (Lisbon)

• Plot system and food access program

• Plots available to area residents

Phippsburg Community Garden (Phippsburg)

• Plot system & food access program

• Plots available for Phippsburg residents

Other Growing Spaces

Looking for growing space outside of a community garden or your backyard. Check out Maine Land Share. They are working to connect land holders with growers across the State of Maine.

Starting/Managing a Community Garden?

Merrymeeting Food Council and Cooperative Extension created a Community Garden Toolkit designed to help new and existing community gardens. Resources include: planning guides, garden management, useful document templates, resources and common challenges, and funding ideas. Let us know if you have additional resources to suggest!

Basic Growing Information

The Maine Cooperative Extension offers an in depth gardening education program each spring called the Master Gardener Volunteers. The entire compilation of their educational materials can be accessed here. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is also a great resource. Their compilation of educational materials can be accessed here. Some basic information from both organizations is listed below.

Vegetable Growing

• Cooperative Extension’s Vegetable Growing Information: planting guide, materials needed, container gardening, etc

• MOFGA’s Basics of Vegetable Growing

• Johnny’s Seeds Growers Library

• Cooperative Extension’s info on container gardening and common problems

• Consultations and workshops available from Maine Foodscapes

When to Plant

• Cooperative Extension’s Planting Chart for Maine

Soil and Plant Nutrient Needs

• Cooperative Extension’s Soil and Plant Nutrition

Basic Pest Management

• Cooperative Extension’s Insect, Tick, and Plant Disease Fact Sheet

• Cooperative Extension’s Pest ID and Management for Maine Homeowners