Gateway Greening | Bell Demonstration Garden

Bell Demonstration Garden

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Bell Demonstration Garden is a thriving community resource for urban gardening activities in St. Louis. Gateway Greening purchased Bell Demonstration and Community Garden in 2001 with the goal of providing educational workshops and gardening materials to community gardeners to help them grow more food and invest in their neighborhoods. Comprised of 22 vacant lots, Bell Garden is a living example of productive use of vacant land. By dedicating this large amount of land to food production, the garden demonstrates one solution to providing food security to everyone.

Come by and visit our "outdoor office!"
Bell Demonstration and Community Garden is open to the public on Saturdays from March – November.
Hours: Saturdays, 9am – 12pm*
Location: 3871 Bell Avenue,
St. Louis, MO 63108

* Bell Demonstration and Community Garden is closed for major holidays such as, Memorial Day, the 4^th of July, and Labor Day.

Reasons to Visit Bell Garden

See a thriving community garden in action.
Bell Demonstration and Community Garden is maintained by Gateway Greening staff and volunteers. The garden uses raised beds and is typical of many community gardens in St. Louis. Besides serving as a showcase of how to garden in small urban spaces, you can see what food crops are in season, and learn varieties that perform well in our climate. Each week, food from the demonstration gardens is weighed before being delivered to a local soup kitchen.

Bell Garden is also an active community garden that has been in use for over 20 years. Several generations of families tend plots that provide a healthful food source for their home kitchens. Why do they garden there? Bell Demonstration and Community Garden allows them a place to grow fresh vegetables in an economical way, share their gardening knowledge with family and friends and otherwise stay healthy and active.

Pick up Plants
Gateway Greening provides vegetable and ornamental plants to community and school gardens and to backyard gardeners, and in some instances, backyard urban gardeners that are Gateway Greening Members (Click Here To Become a Member).

Items are available to these groups of people for free or for purchase at reduced prices:

Seeds: a wide selection of vegetable, herb and flower seed packets are available, with tips on the local planting calendar and direct seeding. Onions, garlic and potato seeds may be available seasonally.
Vegetable Seedlings: Seedlings are grown organically on-site in hoop houses. Varieties that perform well in small growing areas ideal for urban gardens and are resistant to pests and diseases are chosen. Most are heirloom or traditional varieties known for their ease of growth and maintenance compared to other cultivars.
Annual Bedding Plants
Ornamental plants, shrubs, and trees

Please note that Gateway Greening is not a commercial nursery. Plants are offered in order to encourage urban food production and beautification. Much of the supply is dependent on donations. Fees are used to cover the costs of production. Prices and availability may vary.

Tool Lending (tool lending policy)

Gateway Greening has an excellent tool-lending program for community and youth/school gardens. If you are in need of equipment or tools for your garden’s workday, we may be able to help. Please call James Anderson, Community Gardens Coordinator, at least one week in advance 588-9600 ext. 30 if you need to borrow tools. Availability can be limited during busy spring gardening months so plan ahead.

Garden Education Workshops

Volunteer (volunteer page)

Bell Demonstration Garden would not thrive as it does without the hard work of dedicated volunteers. Master Gardeners, community gardeners and service groups can often be found working alongside each other to keep the garden beautiful. Bell Garden is the perfect place to volunteer if you are a novice or a green thumb gardener, want to meet new people, and have fun outdoors. All Volunteers must attend a one time on-site volunteer orientation. For more information contact Hannah Reinhart, Community Development Coordinator, at 588.9600 ext. 28 to register for the orientation.

Location
The Bell Garden is located at 3871 Bell Avenue, just east of Vandeventer and two blocks north of Delmar.

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