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.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS For 2023 season

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.

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

  • 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.

  • 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 should have received two parking tags in the mail. Tags 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.