2026 STMA Community Garden Guidelines & Application

Applications will be accepted ON or AFTER March 2 until March 31, 2026.

 

Garden Assignments 

  • Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note, City Hall closes at 1:30 p.m. on Fridays.
  • Preference is given to residents of the cities of St. Michael and Albertville.
  • Returning gardeners who complete their registrations by the deadline receive preference for garden plots.
  • Applications are available online or may be picked up at St. Michael City Hall. They will be accepted in persons at City Hall or can be sent via US Mail on or after March 2 of the year of application.
  • In-person applications are recommended because available plots fill quickly.

 

 

Garden Plot Information

  • 32 - 15 ft  X 15 ft plots available
  • Up to six larger plots - approximately 32 ft X 15 ft available

Sharing a Plot

  • Two households may share a plot.
  • A full application and parking waiver are required from everyone using the gardens.
  • Fee may be split or paid by one household.

Garden Cancellations

  • If you decide not to use your garden plot, contact the City of St. Michael at (763) 416-7907 immediately.
  • If your garden plot is reassigned, your fee will be refunded.
  • No refunds are given after June 6, 2025.

Garden Fees

  • 15 ft X 15 ft plots are $25 per season
  • 32 ft X 15 ft plots are $50 per season
  • All gardeners must submit a separate $25 deposit per season for small lots or a $50 deposit for a large lot
    • Deposit needs to be turned in to St. Michael City Hall | 11800 Town Center Drive NE
    • Deposit should be a check in a sealed envelope with the gardener’s name and address printed on the outside.
    • The deposit will be kept secure at St. Michael City Hall and will be returned at the end of the season to gardeners who adequately maintain their plot.
 

 

Garden Expectations

  • Gardeners are responsible for actively maintaining their plot and surrounding wood chip paths 2 or 3 times per week.
  • Maintenance includes keeping the areas free of weeds, trash, and pests.
  • Gardeners must ONLY park in the JATC Technical School parking lot.
    • Gardeners are required to sign a parking waiver and submit it with their garden plot application.
    • NO PARKING is allowed on the street or in the Community Garden field.
  • Community Garden news will be sent via email from Grow It STMA. Indicate on your application if you prefer to be contacted by phone.
  • Areas surrounding the Community Gardens are actively farmed. DO NOT trespass into these areas.
  • The City of St. Michael supplies water through several spigots. Hoses are allowed, BUT gardeners must be very careful while dragging hoses to ensure the hose does not crush neighboring gardens.
  • NO UNATTENDED WATERING IS ALLOWED.
 

Important Dates | STMA Community Garden 2026

Add these dates to your calendar!


Thursday, February 26
Application materials and guidelines are available at St. Michael City Hall, 11880 Town Center Drive NE, St. Michael, MN, or at stmichaelmn.gov/communitygarden.


March 2 - 31

  • Applications, fees, and parking waivers are accepted in person or by US Mail at St. Michael City Hall - 11800 Town Center Drive NE, Suite 300.
  • Applications from returning gardeners in good standing will be given preference for plot assignments.
  • New gardeners will be assigned a plot on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Large plots will be awarded only to gardeners who have successfully maintained a small plot.

 

April 13 (On or about)
Gardeners notified of their status. Gardeners placed on the waiting list will receive their garden fee back.


April 21 | 7 - 7:45 p.m.
Garden orientation meeting at St. Michael City Hall. This mandatory meeting will be an opportunity to receive your plot assignment, ask questions, meet other gardeners, and review Community Garden rules and operations. We will also discuss workday tasks.


May 2 or May 9 | 8 a.m. - Noon | Community Garden Workday

  • Plan to attend all or part of this workday.
  • We will be spreading mulch, pulling weeds, tilling garden plots, picking up trash, and maintaining the garden site.
  • Workday is weather and soil-condition-dependent.
  • Updates and additional information on this workday will be sent via email.

Please Note
This workday is preparing and improving the overall garden site, NOT to work on individual plots. Friends, neighbors, and students who need community service hours are welcome to attend.


May through October | Let's Get Gardening

  • Gardeners must tend their plots a minimum of 2-3 times every week.
  • Questions, concerns, or problems should be reported immediately to the Community Garden Coordinator at growitstma@gmail.com.
  • Community garden volunteers will monitor the condition of garden plots.
  • Participants who are not following the guidelines will be contacted by e-mail or phone.

 

October 18 | Closing Day

  • All personal belongings, poles, fences, tools, and other items must be removed from the garden plots by this date.
  • Gardeners who have fulfilled their obligation of weeding and tending to plots throughout the season will receive their $25 deposit back.

 


The STMA Community Garden is made possible through a partnership between the City of St. Michael and the STMA School District.
Gardens are lovingly coordinated by volunteers.

For STMA Community Garden questions, call 763-416-7917 or email stmagarden@stmichaelmn.gov