Frequently Asked Questions about the Garden

Are the Vegetables Free?

No. The fruits and vegetables grown are the property of the individuals and families who rent the plots. They spend money purchasing seeds or plants. They spend hours each week tending their plots, watering the plants and pulling weeds.

Visitors are more than welcome to walk around the garden, admiring the space during the day and evening (hours are sunrise to sunset), but we ask that you respect the hard work and love these members put in to grow their own food. Please, NO PICKING!

Interested in growing your own veggies here? Join us!

How Much Does it Cost to Join the Garden?

Plots are $35 for a 4′ x 8′ plot and $45 for a 4′ x 12′ plot, annually, during the growing season (roughly April 1 – Oct 31).

Where does the Water Come From?

We capture rain water off the house next door, which goes into a 250 gallon water tank at the west end of the garden. Gardeners fill watering cans and carry the water to their plots. It usually takes two trips of two watering cans to satisfy most plots’ plants’ needs.

The reason we don’t use hoses is 1) to reduce the potential of wasted water; and 2) to avoid hoses accidentally being pulled across other gardeners’ plots, knocking down and damaging their plants.

How Many Garden Plots are There?

There are 36 gardener plots, divided into four rows (A, B, C & D). Half of the plots are 4’ x 8’ and the other half are 4’ x 12’.

What is the large covered structure at the southwest corner of the garden?

To accommodate educational presentations and live music/other entertainment, we built the “Earth Stage”. Here we present movie screenings, bands, talks, and more. Omaha city ordinances do not allow for a wooden floored or other structure to be built on a property without a home. Landscaping and covering the stage was perfectly fine. To learn more about activities and events, please see our EVENTS page.

What color is the garden sign, shed, etc.?

The green paint color of the shed, signage, etc. is “Rural Green” by Sherwin Williams”

Where does the money go?

Of the revenue through plot rentals, nearly half goes to pay for an insurance policy for the garden. The rest pays for upgrading the features, replacing lost or broken tools, fuel for the lawn mower, etc. The garden accepts donations and hosts fundraisers to cover additional expenses.

Do we need to bring our own gardening tools?

Nope! Inside the shed, gardeners have access to nearly any/every gardening hand tool they could possibly need to start and maintain their plots. In addition, the shed was custom built, with the roof at 30 degrees facing South, the optimum angle for collecting energy from the sun. Atop the shed are three solar panels, which give the gardeners the ability to charge their phones, listen to music, have lights, etc.

What is the green box outside the garden?

“Give What You Can. Take What You Need…”

The Bountiful Box is managed by another group of individuals to help with the growing problem of food insecurity (hunger). Here individuals and families can donate nonperishable foods for those who are in need. If you have non-expired, boxed or canned nonperishable foods, please consider sharing.

Is there a restroom at the garden?

Unfortunately we do not have plumbing, and therefore no public restroom available. On occasion for larger events we will rent a “Porta Potty” type self-contained restroom (like a plastic outhouse).

GARDEN FACTS & INFO

  • ORGANIZATION: The Benson Community Garden is a nonprofit organization, incorporated by the State of Nebraska.
  • PLOTS: There are 36 gardener plots, divided into four rows (A, B, C & D). Half of the plots are 4’ x 8’ and the other half are 4’ x 12’.
  • PLOT COSTS: The 4’ x 8’ plots cost $35/year and the 4’ x 12’ plots cost $45/year.
  • WATER: The 250 gallon tank at the west side of the garden is filled by rainwater collected off the roof of the homeowner’s house. When the tank runs empty, the homeowner fills the tank with water from his home.
  • TREES: The trees along the northers section of the lot include apple, yellow delicious apple, cherry, plum & pear. Fruit from the trees is shared between the members of the garden.
  • BERRIES: There is a strawberry patch, 5 blueberry bushes, 2 raspberry bushes, 1 blackberry bush, 1 service berry bush, and 1 acai berry bush. Fruit is shared among the members of the garden.
  • EARTH STAGE: To accommodate live music and other entertainment, the garden built an “Earth Stage” in the southwest corner of the lot. City ordinances do not allow for a wooden or other structure to be built on a property without a home. Landscaping the stage was perfectly fine.
  • SHED: Inside the shed, gardeners can find nearly any/every tool they could possibly need to start and maintain their plots. The shed was custom built, with the roof at 30 degrees facing South, the optimum angle for collecting sunshine. Atop the shed are three solar panels, which give the gardeners the ability to charge their phones, listen to music, have lights, etc.
  • PROPERTY OWNER: Kurt Goetzinger, the person who lives in the green house adjacent to the garden, purchased the land in 2010.