The Independence Community Garden Association (ICGA) provides a forum for all gardeners in Independence to network with each other and share ideas, resources, and expertise.

The vision of ICGA is a community coming together for better health and better living through gardening.

The mission of ICGA is to encourage and nurture the development of community gardens and gardeners to grow and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. The ICGA supports community gardens that foster self-sufficiency, recreation, education, sustainability and social harmony.

Hawthorne Garden

Fairmount Garden

GARDENING CLASSES 2013
In partnership with Kansas City Community Gardens and the Independence Garden Club, the Independence Health Department is sponsoring gardening classes free to the public.

To view the 2013 Kansas City Community Garden Plant Order form, click here

Fruit Trees and Berry Plants
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Fruit trees are a great addition to your garden! Learn what varieties are best for this area and how to plant and care for them to get a bountiful harvest. Grow your own berries right in your own backyard. Learn about the different varieties of fruit-bearing shrubs and how to care for them to produce healthy, high-yielding plants. We will focus on strawberries, blackberries and raspberries.
 This class will be held  at the Independence Health Department from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  

Vegetable Garden Basics
Wednesday March 6, 2013
This workshop is helpful for beginning and experienced gardeners. Learn the fundamentals of successful vegetable gardening including: site selection, soil improvement and preparation, garden planning, planting techniques, variety selection, garden maintenance and harvesting.
This class will be held at the Independence Health Department from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. 

Early Spring Crops
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Give-in to your spring gardening fever and get outside to plant a spring vegetable garden. Learn about selecting, planting and caring for vegetables that thrive in the cool spring weather
This class will be held at St. Paul's United Methodist Church from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Raised Bed Gardening
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Discover the many benefits of raised bed gardening. Learn how to construct your own raised beds and how to plant in them for maximum efficiency.
This class will be held at the Independence Health Department from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.

PLANT DISTRIBUTUION!

The Independence Health Department will be hosting Seed Distribution on the following dates:
March 27, 2013 from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
May 7, 2013 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
May 15, 2013 from 3 p.m. -6 p.m.

 Distributions will be held at the Independence Health Department. To participate in this program, you must be a member of Kansas City Community Garden. Membership is $2 for those who qualify for low or no-income. Membership for all others is $10. All members are entitled to receive 10 packets of seeds (your choice), a five-pound bag of fertilizer, a community garden newsletter and discounts on additional seeds, fertilizer and tiller loans.

Independence Garden Club Annual Plant Sale
The Independence Garden Club will be holding their annual plant sale on Saturday, May 4 at the Independence Farmers' Market. The Market is open from 5 a.m.- 1 p.m.

The Independence Health Department is located at 515 S. Liberty.  For more information contact Joanie Shover at 325-7185.  

 Building a raised bed in your back yard.
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-raised-vegetable-bed/index.html

http://www.backyardgardening.net/article/raised-wood-bed/

Hawthorne Garden highlights video
http://www.vimeo.com/24927915

Community gardens located in Independence include:

Hawthorne Community Garden
16995 Dover Lane

Fairmount Plaza Garden
615 N. Huttig Avenue

Pleasant Garden
525 S. Pleasant

St. Paul Community Garden
11200 E 36th Street South

Hocker Heights Container Garden
Noland and Truman Roads

Neighborhood 9 Community Garden
914 N. Grand

St. Marks United Methodist Church
603 N. Jennings

Stone Community Garden
1012 W. Lexington Avenue

Community Service League Garden
N. White Oak (West of Community Service League building)

Habitat for Humanity Garden
505 N. Dodgion

                    

With funding from the Community Development Block Grant, a new garden at Community Services League opened in May 2012.  Using land owned by the city, the garden serves the pantry and residents who wish to garden.  For more information, contact the Independence Health Department at 325-7185