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Garden Plots at Mar-Duke Farm
Now open for the 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.
RESERVE YOUR PLOT ONLINE
VIEW THE 2024 MANual
View the 2024 Garden Plot MaP
Code of conduct
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR 2024 SEASON
May 3, 2024
Garden plots are now open for the season!
April 8, 2024
Parking tags have been placed in the mail to our 2024 gardeners. Please expect them to arrive the week of April 8. If you have questions, please contact us at 630.960.7500 Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Parking tags are assigned to gardeners to assist with security at the garden plots. These tags should be displayed from the review mirror of your vehicle and be visible during your time at the garden plots and are color specific. Should you still have parking tags from previous years, please dispose of them.
Opening day is always weather dependent. When the plots open, an announcement will be placed on this page and also emailed to those gardeners who have shared their contact information with us.
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January 31, 2024
Priority Renewal Process In Progress!
WHEN
- February 1 @ 9am through March 1 @ 3pm
HOW
- Online or In-person. Please note that we will no longer mail out renewal forms. Gardeners who held a garden plot(s) during the 2023 season will receive an email with details.
What to Know for ONLINE Renewals
- Plot number(s) held in 2023
- Online account username and password
- All gardeners from 2023 have an online account. Please do not create a new account as this will not link to your plot and you will not be able to complete the renewal process.
Forgot your Username, Password or Plot Numbers? No worries! You can reach out to us at regi_staff@dgparks.org or call us at 630.960.7500, Monday-Friday, 9am to 4pm.
In-Person Renewals
- Renew your plots in-person at the Downers Grove Recreation Center located at 4500 Belmont Road, Monday-Friday from 9am - 4pm. Please note that staff will be unavailable to assist you in-person outside of these hours.
January 21, 2024
The 2024 Mar-Duke Gardening renewal information will be emailed to gardeners by Feb. 1. If your email or home address has changed since the 2023 season, please call 630.960.7500 Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm or email Regi_staff@dgparks.org to update your account.
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.
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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.
GARDENER COMMUNICATION
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.
HOW TO FIND YOUR GARDEN PLOT NUMBER
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.
SAFETY & SECURITY
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.
