Garden Plots

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).

Garden Plots are no longer available to purchase for the 2025 Season.

2025 Garden Plot Manual

2025 Garden Plot Map

2025 GARDEN PLOT FEES

	Full Plots	Half Plots (26 available) ADA Raised Beds (6 available)
Resident	$55	$44
Non-resident	$83	$66
Senior Resident (Age 62+)	$43	$35
Senior Non-resident (Age 62+)	$65	$54

Refund Policy

Plots returned before or on May 8 will receive a refund less a $5 service fee
Plots returned on or after May 9 through May 31 will receive a refund less a $5 service fee and a $5 late cancellation fee
No refunds for plots returned or forfeited on or after June 1

IMPORTANT DATES 2025

February 4		Renewal begins online at 9am: Gardeners may begin renewing up to four (4) non-organic or organic plots held in the 2024 season for the 2025 season. Raised bed gardeners may renew up to one (1) plot.
February 28		Renewal deadline: renewals must be completed by 3pm on Friday, February 28.
March 5		Open registration begins online at 9am: Open registration for plots not renewed during the renewal process starts online at www.dgparks.org and continues through 3pm on May 30.
April 23		Additional Organic Garden plots available at 9am: Gardeners who have four (4) organic plots reserved may obtain additional organic plots through May 30.
May 30		DEADLINE FOR ALL GARDEN PLOT RENTALS AND REFUNDS IS 3PM

RENTAL RULES AND MODIFICATIONS

Renewal maximums: A maximum of four (4) full-sized organic or non-organic plots and a maximum of one (1) ADA plot or half-sized plot maybe renewed during the renewal period.
Non-organic plots: Gardeners may reserve an unlimited amount of non-organic full-sized plots during open registration.
Organic plots: Gardeners may reserve a total of four (4) organic plots through April 22, which include plots that have been renewed. Additional organic plots if available can be rented beginning April 23.
Raised beds & half-sized plots: Households may reserve one (1) each of ADA plots or half-sized plots throughout the season. Half-sized plots are approximately 20 x 15 and a limited number are available.

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 the top of this page.

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.

LATEST COMMUNICATION

October 10, 2025

We hope you had a productive and enjoyable gardening season!

As the 2025 season winds down, we’d like to share a few important reminders to help wrap things up smoothly. Renewal information for the 2026 season will be sent out in January 2026. Please note that our primary means of communication are email and updates posted on our website at www.dgparks.org/garden-plots

End of Season Reminders

All personal items – including tools, cages, fencing, and any other equipment – must be removed from your plot
Items left behind after October 31 will be disposed of
Access to the plots will close at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 31, at which point the drive will be secured with a chain barrier.

Key Dates to Remember

Last day for water access: Thursday, October 30
Final day to access your plot(s): Friday, October 31 by 2:00 pm
Final weekend for clean-up: Saturday & Sunday, October 27 & 28

Thank you for your attention to end-of-season cleanup – we look forward to welcoming you back next season!

August 8, 2025

Please be advised: The village is currently replacing a water main on Main Street near Marduke Garden Plots. As a result, there is no water service at this time.

Water service is expected to be restored by 3:00 pm today.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

June 25, 2025

Please be advised that on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, an Eagle Scout will be on site at Marduke working on a special project. The work will involve installing new drainage pads around the water spigots.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause during your visit at Marduke and appreciate your understanding as we support this valuable community service initiative.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out to Blake Ertmanis at bertmanis@dgparks.org

May 7, 2025

We’re pleased to announce that garden plots will officially open for planting after 3:00 pm on Friday, May 9. Please note: Final plantings must be completed by June 1 for all garden plots.

Plot Number Reminder

Before you begin planting, please double-check your receipt to confirm your assigned plot number. Planting in the incorrect plot will result in removal of any plants or materials.

If you have questions about your plot number(s) or plot size, please contact our registration staff during our open desk hours before the plots open on Friday, May 9 at 3:00 pm, or on/after Monday, May 12 as our registration desk will not be available over the weekend. Our desk hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at 630.960.7500 or you can email us at Regi_Staff@dgparks.org.

April 11, 2025

Parking tags have been placed in the mail for 2025 Gardeners.

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 through Friday from 9am to 4pm.

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.