Solano Gardens
About Solano Gardens
Solano Gardens collaborates with cities, community members and organizations to create community gardens and food forests based on the principles of permaculture. These spaces serve as a source of fresh produce, inspiration and companionship for people in need across diverse communities. Each garden design is tailored to the community it serves and cared for by local champions and organizations.
Solano Gardens in the Community
The Solano Gardens program has created and supported gardens that provide access to fresh produce in communities that have historically experienced limited access to healthy food. These gardens are often found at schools, churches and dedicated community garden sites around the county. Support has included seasonal advice, landscape design work and maintenance guidance, developing policies and procedures, and updated information on rules and regulations. Currently, Solano Gardens offers
- Resources to create and support community gardens
- An active directory of community gardens that need support and volunteers
- Educational classes on subjects like irrigation, permaculture, and growing food in Solano County
- Promotion of community garden events through our network
Active Gardens
Use the map below to learn more about these active gardens in the network and their volunteer needs.
A number of other gardens were developed, but not all of them are active; we are working with these communities to bring gardens back to life so our network can keep growing and nurturing all beings involved.
Resources
Know of a site that would support a community garden or a community garden in need of support?
Fill out our Solano Gardens Interest Form here!
We continue to look for residential sites to demonstrate waterwise edible landscapes. Have a site in mind?
Fill out our Sustainable Landscaping Interest Form here!
Donations
Considering an in-kind donation (non-cash gift) to Sustainable Solano?
Part of supporting our community of gardens is the sharing of plants, seeds and more among gardeners. Occasionally, individuals, corporations and organizations reach out to us with the offer of donating resources (time, services, plants, materials, etc.) to the community through SuSol.
We would be happy to work with you to coordinate a donation of a physical good (or a service) to help us better serve the Solano community. Please send a photograph and description of your donation(s) to patrick@sustainablesolano.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please note, as a smaller organization we do not have a large amount of physical storage space, and may not be able to accommodate larger donations if we cannot immediately store your donation. We also cannot accept yard waste, live animals, perishable food, and dead or diseased plants.
Learn More
Farm-to-School Program Brings Permaculture Campus to Markham Elementary
Recognizing the importance of connecting children with food and the natural world, Sustainable Solano’s new Farm-to-School program will bring a permaculture campus to Markham Elementary School in Vacaville this spring.
Growing Healthier Plants and Ecosystems Regeneratively With Biology
We are excited to be working with Hampton Bay HOA on the designs for two pilot sites that will demonstrate how lawn in common areas can be replaced with low-water, low-maintenance sustainable landscaping that is healthy, beautiful and natural. Here, designer Michael Wedgley shares about the importance of healthy soil biology as part of that equation.
Winter in the Milkweed Garden
Winter is the season to clean up the milkweed garden, as the last few caterpillars pupate in the fall and the final Monarch butterflies take flight for their over-wintering sites. It is also the time to begin preparing the garden bed for next year!
Solano Gardens is funded through support from Solano Public Health