Community Gardens & Orchards
The Sun Prairie Community Garden Organization (SPCGO) provides gardening opportunities for those who desire to rent space where they can grow vegetables for home-use, in an open and welcoming community environment. The site is leased to Sun Prairie Community Garden Organization from the City of Sun Prairie. Garden plots are available for a seasonal fee to anyone who resides within Sun Prairie city limits, resides within the Sun Prairie Area School District, or works within the city limits. The community garden, located at 1349 Linnerud Drive is next to the public library. A full plot (18' x 24') rents for $35, a half plot (9' x 24') rents for $20, and a quarter plot (4’ x 24’ only nine plots available) rents for $10 for the season. Plot fees cover your rental for the entire season. Fees help cover costs to run the garden, such as water bills, tool purchases and repairs, machinery upkeep, and access to garlic, asparagus, raspberries and rhubarb. There are no paid staff at the garden. All board of director positions are volunteer. That is why it is important that all gardeners volunteer at least 3-5 hours per year to benefit the garden.
New gardeners are limited to either a quarter plot (4’ x 24’), one half plot (9’x24′) or a full plot (18’x24’). Returning gardeners may rent up to two full plots (18’x24′). Free flower plots are also available to gardeners.
Returning gardeners are given first priority to a plot. New gardeners are assigned a plot on a first come, first served basis. New plots will be awarded by late April. If no plots are available in the garden, you will be put on a waitlist and notified when one becomes available.
2026 Registration is Open
Applications for a plot in the community garden are now being accepted. To rent a garden plot, access the registration link found below, complete the registration form and submit with payment to:
Sun Prairie Community Garden Organization, Inc.
c/o Tom Kinney
923 Jerico Lane,
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
An e-mail will be sent confirming the receipt of your registration and payment.
SPCGO was originally started in 1999 by the Sun Prairie Youth and Families Commission, former city council member Larry Olness, and Sun Prairie Garden Club member Karen Bailey.
Contact Us
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Tom Kinney
Phone: 608-837-4968
Email Tom Kinney
Art Teasdale
Phone: 608-837-2349
Email Art Teasdale
NEW! Community Orchard
The Sun Prairie Community Orchard was started in the fall of 2025 as a Gold Award project by Girl Scout Abby Wells. This project was made possible by generous donations from several local businesses and a team of community volunteers.
We would love for you to visit! It is located behind the Sun Prairie Community Gardens at 1349 Linnerud Drive. The orchard has several kinds of trees, including pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and apples. Once the trees are old enough to start producing fruit, they will be free to pick from all season long! We do ask that you are gentle with the trees and that you leave enough fruit for those that visit after you.
Also in the orchard are birdhouses and the largest pollinator garden in Sun Prairie. Native species are extremely beneficial to the environment! They help with pest control and will help the trees stay healthy and produce more fruit for you to enjoy. One of the main goals of the orchard is to contribute to better environmental health. Sun Prairie proudly puts a lot of effort into sustainability, and this project is helping to uphold that. Another goal of this project is to provide a source of fresh, local fruit. We believe that everyone should have access to healthy food, no matter what.
We would love for you to visit the orchard and spend some time outside with the birds and butterflies. Please enjoy the fruit and invite your friends and family to partake as well!
This orchard is maintained by city staff and community volunteers. If you would like to volunteer to help with ongoing maintenance, please email rec@cityofsunprairie.com.
Lettuce Dream Garden
Located in Vandenburg Park, Lettuce Dream Garden is a community teaching garden operated through a partnership between the Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department and C.H. Bird Elementary School, with support from dedicated volunteers.
The garden features accessible raised planting bins along with traditional garden plots, creating opportunities for visitors of all ages and abilities to learn about gardening, planting, and growing food and flowers. Lightweight folding chairs are available for visitors who may need seating assistance while gardening.
Throughout the season, visitors can help plant seeds, watch gardens grow, harvest flowers, herbs, and vegetables, and learn about pollinators, birds, and other local wildlife. Native plantings surrounding the garden also help provide habitat for pollinators and beneficial species.
The garden is open during volunteer-led hours, which are posted on the kiosk outside the garden. Morning hours are typically quieter, while afternoons tend to be busier. Visitors seeking a quieter experience, including individuals with mobility concerns or families with very young children, are encouraged to visit during morning hours when possible.
Lettuce Dream Garden is always looking for volunteers who enjoy gardening and helping others learn and explore in the garden environment. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, please visit our Volunteer Management site and contact Chad Shelton at cshelton@cityofsunprairie.com.