Guide to Albuquerque's Community Gardens

Albuquerque community gardens are places where even apartment dwellers can get in the dirt, plant some seeds, and see what comes up. Urban gardens are more than just places for growing food—they are places where other, soul-nourishing interactions can take root and grow.

See what Albuquerque has to offer in the way of community gardens, and then dig in. Albuquerque may be located in the high desert, but it is a great place to garden and to find fresh produce at local farmers markets.

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Alvarado Urban Farm

The Alvarado Urban Farm has a goal of being a place where Albuquerque residents can learn about food systems and how to grow food. The downtown garden hosts events, lectures, and classes, and sells its produce at the downtown growers' market. The project is organized by the Historic District Improvement Company, the Downtown Action Team, and a host of partners and collaborators.

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Barelas Community Garden

The Barelas Community Garden lies west of the Barelas Senior Center. The 6,000 square foot greenhouse and garden were built for the intergenerational community, nearby schools and the neighborhood. Plots are made of raised beds.

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Growing Awareness Urban Farm

Growing Awareness Urban Farm is a project of East Central Ministries. The garden supports the surrounding neighborhood in a number of ways in addition to providing fresh, local food. The garden provides the neighborhood with various jobs, such as tending the garden and creating olla clay pots.

The project has grown from a few seedlings to several micro-businesses. There is a nursery, an apiary, chicken coops, demonstration and community gardens, a playground with edible landscaping, worm composting, and a small store. All profits go directly back to the community.

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La Placita Gardens at Sanchez Farms

La Placita Gardens is part of the historic Sanchez Farms in Albuquerque's south valley. The organic community farm includes many partners, such as neighborhood children from a nearby charter school, agricultural specialists, and community activists. They grow organic vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants, and flowers, which are sold in the South Valley and Nob Hill farmers markets and through community-supported agriculture shares.

Continue to 5 of 8 below.

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Project Feed the Hood

Project Feed the Hood is a food literacy community garden in Albuquerque's International District. Its goal is to engage people in a food system that teaches them about agriculture while improving the community's health.

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Rio Grande Community Farm

The Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) is a certified organic farm in Albuquerque which is run by the city of Albuquerque's Open Space division. The community garden is one facet of the farm and welcomes gardeners from beginner to expert. Run on two acres in the northwest corner of the Los Poblanos Open Space of the north valley, the community garden lets gardeners bring home food grown here or donates the food to a local food bank.

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UNM Lobo Gardens

The Source Forest is a local wellness center and has a small community garden located within its grounds. People share the collaborative herb and food garden, both of which incorporate the wisdom of abundant forest life.

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UNM Lobo Gardens

The Lobo Gardens provides the University of New Mexico students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to learn about food cultivation in a community setting. They provide opportunities for research, education, and programs around urban food. The gardens have locations at Hokona Hall on UNM campus, at the UNM Real Estate Department, at UNM Telehealth, and at Martineztown House of Neighborly Service.