Garden Plots

Garden Plots at Mar-Duke Farm

Closed for the 2024 season

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.

Gardeners may reserve plots online or in-person at the Recreation & Fitness Center located at 4500 Belmont Road, Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm.

VIEW THE 2024 MANual

View the 2024 Garden Plot MaP

Code of conduct

ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2024 SEASON

October 8, 2024
As the garden plot season nears to an end, we wanted to share a couple of important reminders.

Plot Clean-Up & Water Shut-Off:

The last day to complete your garden plot cleanup is October 31, 2024. Please remember to remove all personal items, such as gardening tools, cages, fencing, and any other equipment. Any belongings left behind after October 31st will be subject to disposal. The driveway will be secured with a chain barrier beginning Friday, November 1, 2024, as fall plot preparation will begin the following week.

Renewal and Feedback:

Renewal information for the 2025 season will be sent out sometime in late January 2025. Additionally sometime this winter, a survey will be sent out regarding how the district prepares the plots for the upcoming season. Your input will be valuable as we prepare for the upcoming year.

Thank you for your continued participation in the Mar-Duke Gardening community, and we look forward to welcoming you back in 2025.

2024 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 2024

February 1		Renewal begins at 9am: Gardeners may begin renewing up to four (4) non-organic or organic plots held in the 2023 season for the 2024 season. Raised bed gardeners may renew up to one (1) plot.
March 1		Renewal deadline: Renewals must be completed by 3pm on Friday, March 1.
March 6		Open registration begins at 9am: Open registration for plots not renewed during the renewal process starts online at www.dgparks.org and continues through 3pm on May 31.
March 27		Plot exchanges: Garden plot exchanges 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 Garden plots available: Gardeners who have four (4) organic plots reserved may obtain additional organic plots through May 31
May 31		DEADLINE FOR ALL GARDEN PLOT RENTALS, REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES

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.

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.
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.

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.