703-642-5173
TTY 711
Judy Zatsick,
Manager
The mission of the Fairfax County Park Authority Community Garden Plot Rental Program is to give Fairfax County residents the opportunity to garden.
Our policy of ‘next plot, next person’ for our registration list ensures a healthy mix of backgrounds and a fair distribution of plots. The Garden Plot Program is on the forefront of the One Fairfax Initiative. Our garden tenants represent the full range of diversity that is present in the County, including all socioeconomic strata.
The Fairfax County Park Authority rents more than 700 garden plots in ten county parks to Fairfax County residents on an annual basis. Gardeners who keep their plots in compliance are offered renewal leases for subsequent years in all garden plot parks except Hogge Park where rentals are only for one year
Complete and submit the form on this page to register for a garden plot. You may choose more than one park.
Please keep in mind:
Use the link above to sign up to rent a garden plot through the Fairfax County Park Authority. The date you submit your request will be kept in our database. When a plot becomes available, you will be emailed in turn (first on the list, first notified - some preference is given at Hogge Park for proximity to the park). If you are not reachable by email or if you have not accepted the plot within the designated timeframe (usually 4 or 5 days), the vacant plot will be given to the next person on the list and your name will be removed.
Size: Most plots are approximately 20’ x 30’ and are surrounded by their own fence, with their own gate and lock. The exception is at Hogge Park, where raised beds are located inside one communal fence with a shared gate and lock – each rental plot is 6’ x 9’ at Hogge Park only.
Cost: Large plots rent for $140 each year, and carry the responsibility of maintaining the fence, gate, and lock if you use one. Small plots rent for $80 per season, with the communal elements such as fence, gate, and lock provided and maintained by the Park Authority.
Accessibility: All plots are accessible during daylight hours, 365 days per year, unless special conditions require park closure.
Plot Renewals: Large plots may be renewed annually if the plot is kept in compliance with the program rules. Small Community Plots at Hogge Park are rented for one season only. At the end of the season, Hogge gardeners may register again (at the end of the list) and will be sent another plot offer when their name comes up again.
Comparison of Large and Small Rental Plots
|
Large Plot Model (~600 square feet) |
Hogge’s Small Plot Model (~60 square feet) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Comparison of Models |
Renewable rental of a 20’x30’ garden plots in an FCPA host park. Most tenants drive 3-5 miles to their plot. |
Non-renewable rental of a 6’x9’ raised bed for one season (Feb to Nov). Priority is given to those who are within walking distance of Hogge Park. |
|
Fence, Raised Beds |
Provided and maintained by gardener of record |
Provided and maintained by FCPA, including soil |
|
Rental Term |
Renewable annually |
One year only |
|
Water is Free at All Sites, Both Models |
Gardeners bring their own hoses |
Community hose is kept on site for all to use |
|
Shed and Tools |
Supplied by each gardener for their own plot |
Community shed and tools |
|
Vegetative waste |
Removed offsite by gardener |
Waste collection on site |
|
Fees |
$140 per year |
$80 per year |
|
Plot requests |
Register through FCPA website |
|
|
ADA Accessibility |
Plots not accessible using wheelchair |
All plots accessible using wheelchair |
View an interactive map as well as a list of garden plot locations.
Large Plot Garden Rules and Guidelines apply to the following parks: Baron Cameron, Broyhill Crest, Eakin, Franconia, George Mason, Grist Mill, Lewinsville, Nottoway, and Pine Ridge.
Small Community Plot Rules and Community Commitment apply to Hogge Park only.
Garden Plot Program
The Garden Plot Coordinator, Patricia Dietly, may be reached at
FCPAGardenPlots@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-642-0128 (TTY Va. Relay 711).
The Fairfax County Garden Plot Program is administered by the Community Horticulture Office at:
Green Spring Gardens
4603 Green Spring Road
Alexandria, VA 22312
Please note that front desk staff at Green Spring Gardens cannot process garden plot payments or assign plots. These tasks must go through the Garden Plot Coordinator.
Mulch
For information on availability of leaf or wood mulch, visit Free Mulch.
Fairfax County Police Non-Emergency Number
Theft or other illegal activity at garden plot sites should be reported to the Fairfax County Police at the police non-emergency number, 703-691-2131, or the Fairfax County Police Department's online Community Reporting System (CRS). Garden Plot renters are also asked to file a Fairfax County Park Authority Incident report if applicable. Please contact the Garden Plot Coordinator for additional information.
Removal of Invasive Plants
If you are a current garden plot renter and would like to be part of a volunteer effort to monitor and remove encroaching vegetation from your park, please contact the Garden Plot Coordinator. Programs are currently underway at Pine Ridge and Nottoway Parks.
Only Fairfax County residents and Fairfax County-based organizations are eligible to rent a garden plot. Our rule is only one plot per household or organization.
The mailing address of your residence or organization is required. All contracts are sent by U.S. Mail in order to verify Fairfax County residency.
For Hogge Park only, preference is given to gardeners who live closest to Hogge Park. For all other host parks, only the date of registration is considered when plot offers are made.
Offers are sent by email. A working email address is required in order to rent a plot.
When a potential gardener is offered a particular plot, he or she may accept or decline the offer. If the offer is declined or if no response is given within the allotted time for reply, the person is retired from the registration list. The time allotted to reply to an offer is usually about 5 calendar days, and usually includes a weekend.
Persons who are retired from the registration list may re-apply and will thereby be relocated to the end of the list.
Names remain on the list from year to year, until a plot is offered.
Gardeners may not transfer a plot or a plot offer to another gardener. All plot assignments are made by the Garden Plot Coordinator to persons on the Registration List.
Free garden education programs are offered throughout the season at many of our garden plot sites and nearby locations. In general, they are open to the public. Our 2023 programs will include Vegetable Garden Plant Clinics and Edible Garden Workshops.
