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Garden Plots at Mar-Duke Farm
The Mar-Duke Farm garden plots are located at 6800 S. Main Street, between Greenbriar Medical Center and Divine Savior Church. Full plots are approximately 20' x 30'. Half plots are approximately 20' x 15'. Six elevated plots, 4' x 11' are available on a first-come, first-served basis to persons with disabilities and gardeners who cannot work at ground level (one per person).
The Mar-Duke Phone number is 331.777.4355.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2023 SEASON
June 14, 2023 at 1PM
Hydrant update: Water service has been restored at Mar-Duke. The replaced hydrant is being painted, but all others are available for gardener use.
June 13, 2023 at 2:40PM
Hydrant update: We were unable to resolve our hydrant issue on Tuesday, June 12. We plan to have the contractor on site tomorrow and have the issue resolved by mid-day, although it is not guaranteed. We will continue to update this site with information as it becomes available.
June 12, 2023 at 4:22PM
Unfortunately, an issue with a hydrant requires us to shut the water to all hydrants until we can fix the problem. We are hopeful the water will be turned on Tuesday, June 13, but there is a chance the water could remain off until Wednesday. We will send an update to gardeners by email and will update this page when the water becomes available.
June 12, 2023 at 11:58AM
Due to an issue with a hydrant, water will temporarily be turned off while we try to fix the issue.
June 4, 2023
Mar-Duke Farm Garden Plots are no longer available for the 2023 Season.
May 10, 2023
Mar-Duke Farm Garden Plots OPEN for 2023 Season!
The Downers Grove Park District is looking forward to another fruitful season at the Mar-Duke Farm Garden Plots in 2023! The garden plots will open for gardeners to begin planting on Wednesday, May 10th. Please be sure you consult your receipt for your plot numbers before you plant. If planted on an incorrect plot, you will be asked to remove any and all plants.
If you have questions regarding your plot number or plot size, please contact our registration staff at 630.960.7500 Monday-Friday from 9am - 4pm, or send an email to regi_staff@dgparks.org
Reserve Plots online through May 31
January 23, 2023
The 2023 Mar-Duke Gardening renewal information will be mailed to 2022 gardeners on February 1. If your address has changed from 2022, please call 630.960.7500 Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm to update your account.
Returning Gardeners
The renewal process is a mail-in process only. Gardeners will receive their renewal notices in the mail during the first week of February. Renewal forms must be received by March 8. Forms may also be emailed to regi_staff@dgparks.org.
New Gardeners
Garden plots for the 2023 season will be sold online at dgparks.org beginning Tuesday, March 14 @ 9:00 am. You must have a household account to purchase Garden Plots. If assistance is needed, you can contact our registration staff Monday-Friday from 9am - 4pm @ 630.960.7500.
Beginning Tuesday, March 14 @ 9:00 AM
RESERVE YOUR PLOT ONLINE
DOWNLOAD OR VIEW THE 2023 GARDEN PLOT MAP
2023 GARDEN PLOT MANUAL
IMPORTANT DATES 2023
| February 6 | RENEWALS BEGIN: Gardeners may begin renewing up to four (4) non-organic or organic plots held in the 2022 season for the 2023 season. Raised bed gardeners may renew up to one (1) plot. |
| March 8 | RENEWAL DEADLINE: Renewal forms must be received by Wednesday, March 8. Forms may be emailed to regi_staff@dgparks.org or mailed to Downers Grove Park District, Attn: Registration, 4500 Belmont Road, 60515 |
| March 14 | OPEN REGISTRATION: Plots not renewed by March 8 will be open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Open registration takes place March 14-May 31. Plots can be purchased online at dgparks.org. |
| March 27 | PLOT EXCHANGES: Garden plot exchanged will be considered on or after March 27 through May 31 by emailing regi_staff@dgparks.org or calling 630.960.7500 Monday-Friday 9am-4pm. |
| April 24 | ADDITIONAL ORGANIC PLOTS AVAILABLE: Gardeners who have four (4) organic plots reserved may obtain additional organic plots on a first-come, first-served basis from April 24 through May 31. |
| May 31 | DEADLINE FOR ALL GARDEN PLOT RENTALS, REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES |
2023 GARDEN PLOT FEES
| Full Plots | Half Plots (26 available) ADA Raised Beds (6 available) |
|
| Resident | $50 | $40 |
| Non-resident | $75 | $60 |
| Senior Resident (Age 62+) | $39 | $31 |
| Senior Non-resident (Age 62+) | $59 | $48 |
RENTAL RULES AND MODIFICATIONS
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Non-organic plots: Gardeners may reserve an unlimited amount of non-organic full plots during open registration.
-
Organic plots: Gardeners may reserve a total of four (4) organic plots through April 23, which include plots that have been renewed. Additional organic plots if available can rented beginning April 24.
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Raised beds & half-sized plots: Households may reserve only one (1) each of Raised or Half-sized Plots throughout the season. Half-sized plots are approximately 20 x 15 and a limited number are available.
GARDENER COMMUNICATION
When the plots are ready to open for the season, gardeners will be notified through a variety of communication channels:
- An email will be sent to all registered gardeners.
- An announcement will be posted to this page.
- An announcement will be available on the Mar-Duke hotline at 331.777.4355.
To check the status of garden plots, to report a hydrant leak or other problem with the plots, please call 331.777.4355.
Should illegal activities, such as theft, alcohol use, malicious damage, illegal dumping, etc. be observed, please contact the Downers Grove Police Department at 630.434.5600.
HOW TO FIND YOUR GARDEN PLOT NUMBER
The Garden Plot section and number will be shown on your receipt you should have received when you registered. Please make sure you consult your receipt before you plant.
If you have issues or concerns regarding your garden plot, please leave a message on the Mar-Duke hotline at 331.777.4355. If you have questions regarding your plot number or plot size, please contact our registration staff at 630.960.7500, Monday - Friday from 9am - 4pm.
SAFETY & SECURITY
To assist with security at the garden plots, all registered gardeners will receive two parking tags in the mail. Tags will be mailed in early May and should be displayed from the rearview mirror of your vehicle and be visible during your time at the garden plots.
Parking is permitted on both sides of the road.
Should illegal activities, such as theft, alcohol use, malicious damage, illegal dumping, etc. be observed, please contact the Downers Grove Police Department at 630.434.5600. If you did not receive your parking tags, please contact our registration staff at regi_staff@dgparks.org.
The Park District recommends minimal use of chemicals when gardening. If used, it is the gardener's responsibility to use any products according to the label, be accountable to fellow gardeners when using these products and wear proper protective gear. Planting proper cultivars, using trap plants and using proper cultural practices such as cultivating and mulching are better alternatives to chemical controls.
