How to Garden for the Health of the Community
There are many benefits of gardening to the individual and the community.
Plant a garden.
Get information on how to start a garden in your own backyard.
Donate extra produce.
Up From the Earth exists to connect extra produce from home gardens to people in need. Find out how to donate extra produce.
Plant an extra row.
As you plan this year’s garden, plant an extra row of whatever you’d normally cultivate (tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, beans) to donate.
Support Community Garden projects.
To start a community garden or learn more, contact Anais Adame at SDHD-aadame@siouxlanddistricthealth.org. You can also check out the American Community Gardening Association.
Individual Benefits
Better Mental Health
According to a study in Norway, the effortless attention of gardening may help improve depression symptoms.
Nutrition
The food you grow yourself is the freshest and healthiest food you can eat.
Brain Health
Some research suggests that the physical activity associated with gardening can help lower the risk of developing dementia.
Stress Relief
A recent study in the Netherlands suggests that gardening can fight stress even better than other relaxing leisure activities.
Exercise
Gardening gets you out in the fresh air and sunshine – and it also gets your blood moving.
Community Benefits
Revitalize communities in industrial areas.
Community gardens lend to the attractiveness of the neighborhood and may add to home values, helps attract business investment, and improves the neighborhood reputation.
Beautify vacant lots.
To create community loyalty to your town, research shows that beauty is one of the top three factors.
Revive and beautify public parks.
Gardening allows opportunities for individuals to relax, undertake physical activity, socialize and mix with neighbors. Public parks are the best place to be able to do all the above activities.
Gardens provide fresh produce and nutritionally rich foods!
Gardens provide opportunities to learn about gardening and sustainable living practices, (like composting and recycling), along with being an important source of low-cost fresh produce for a healthy diet.
Decrease violence and improve social well-being.
Gardens can provide a neutral space where people come together, socialize, and relationships or partnerships take form. We know when people are invested in their community/ neighborhood, violence goes down and social well-being is increased.
Garden Locations
Agape Community Garden
A native plants interpretive garden, herb garden, fruit trees, native shrubs, and a large area for veggies-free and open to the public to work and harvest.
Location
Agape Community Garden
1421 Geneva St.
Sioux City, IA 51103
Jones Street Community Garden
Jones Street Community Garden has 17 raised 4×10′ plots; one is ADA accessible. There is also water access and shed on site. No cost – Frist come first served bases.
Location
Jones Street Community Garden
1505 Dale St.
Sioux City, IA 51105
Contact: John Byrnes
Mary J. Tregilia Community Garden
Mary Tregilia is a community space created for folks who may not have a backyard of their own. It has a picnic area with a barbeque, it also has 16 community garden plots, each approximately 100 square feet in size.
Location
Mary J. Tregilia Community Garden
900 Jennings Street,
Sioux City Iowa 51105
St. James United Methodist Church
Location
St. James United Methodist Church
2032 Cypress St.
Sioux City Iowa 51106
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Community Garden
20-4×8′ plots available at no charge. Must reserve plot.
Location
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
1200 Douglas St.
Sioux City Iowa 51105
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s
Located next to the Ronald McDonald House in Sioux City, Iowa. Reserve one of 24 spots in this raised bed garden. Garden beds are available for $25 for the season on a first come, first served basis. The garden is available for planting in mid-May.
Location
UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Community Garden
2500 Nebraska St,
Sioux City, IA 51104
Sergeant Bluff Community Garden
Located at Embassy Rehab & Care Center
Location
Sergeant Bluff Community Garden
206 Port Neal Road
Sergeant Bluff, IA 51054
City of South Sioux City Community Garden
Garden is located at River Hills Church in SSC and has three plot price options available- 5×10′($10), 10×15′($20), 10×20′($25)
City of South Sioux City Community Garden
1101 5th Ave.
South Sioux City, NE 68776
Start a Garden
Get in Touch
For more information on community gardens, contact Steve Beekman directly at (712) 279-6119 or sbeekman@siouxlanddistricthealth.org or send our team a message today!