GrowBoston
GrowBoston is the City of Boston's Office of Urban Agriculture.
Learn about our Raised Bed ProgramGrowBoston's goal is to increase food production and support local food producers in Boston, including gardeners, farmers, beekeepers, and more.
Our work builds on the long-term work of the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH). MOH, through the Grassroots Program, has been supporting the development of community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other open spaces through land disposition and capital funding for more than 30 years.
GrowBoston works to increase the number of community gardens, urban farms, food forests, and other food-growing spaces throughout Boston. We provide technical help to prospective and existing gardens, farms, and food forests. Our team develops educational and other food production resources for gardeners, farmers, and residents. We partner with sister agencies to leverage public facilities and land to create and expand food-growing spaces. We also coordinate with other City departments to reduce policy barriers for urban agriculture.
Contact
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26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108 -
HOURSWeekdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -
Submit photos of Boston urban agriculture activities to be featured on our social media.
Recent Updates
Recent UpdatesGrowBoston will offer grants up to $50,000 to help organizations increase their food production capacity and/or strengthen their climate resilience. These grants are being made available from City of Boston operating funds.
The purpose of this grant program is to invest in urban agriculture organizations' ability to grow more food for Boston residents and/or prepare for the impacts of climate change. Applicants must be a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit or a community group with a non-profit fiscal sponsor.
The grant will become available on Tuesday, September 1. Apply for the grant through our *WizeHive system.
*The City of Boston is now using this grants management software for all grant programs. Please check this link for an "Applicant Guide" slide deck which will walk you through the steps of applying, accepting an award, and reporting through this platform.
Please note: The application deadline is September 29, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Public Works is providing free compost deliveries for communal gardens and pick up for community gardeners. Communal gardens include gardens at libraries, community centers, nonprofits, and community gardens. Find more information about the program and request a delivery here. More information about pick up is at the bottom of this post.
There are several requirements you must meet in order to receive a delivery:
- Gardens are responsible for ensuring their entrance is large enough for a 10 foot wide truck to fit through.
- There must be a place to dump the compost.
- Compost will not be dumped on sidewalks or active roadways.
- Entrances must be clear at time of delivery, please notify neighbors not to block the entrance if needed.
Please note: the smallest amount of compost they deliver is two cubic yards. As a rule of thumb, 1 cubic yard of compost spread a quarter-inch thick will cover roughly 1,200 square feet (a 30ft x 40ft rectangle) of garden beds. They will not pick up leftover compost. You could consider having a delivery and announcing to your community that they can pick up compost for their garden beds from the leftover compost.
Another option that is available is for community gardeners to bring their own containers/bags and pick up compost at Landscape Express on American Legion Highway. Pick up times are Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. from Saturday, April 18th to Wednesday, September 30th. Gardeners must sign up ahead of time, check in at the main office, and be escorted to the compost. More information is available here.
Please email camilla.elvis@boston.gov with any questions.
Programs, Initiatives, and Funding
GrowBoston Funding Opportunities
These are all of our past, current, and future funding opportunities.
Urban Agriculture Ambassador Program
Provides one-on-one gardening education and support for gardeners in East Boston, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Roxbury through 2025 and 2026.
GrowBoston and Office of Food Justice Strategic Goals
2023-2026
Building a just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food system in Boston.
Grassroots Open Space Development
The Grassroots Program supports the development of community gardens and other open spaces.
Boston Urban Agriculture Recommendations Report
Learn more about the urban agriculture recommendations, which suggest action city-wide and at the neighborhood level for equitably advancing urban agriculture in Boston.
Raised Bed Program
Will construct 800 raised beds for low-income residents by 2026.
Upcoming Events
EventsGrowBoston Newsletters
GrowBoston NewslettersResources
Community Garden and Urban Farm Directory
Find a community garden or urban farm in your neighborhood!
Learn to Garden
Learn to garden with these educational programs compiled by GrowBoston
Gardening Tip Sheets
GrowBoston offers guides to help you reach the next level in gardening.
Urban Agriculture and Rodent Management
Learn how to prevent and mitigate rodents in your green space.
Fruit Tree Interest Form
GrowBoston, the City of Boston’s Office of Urban Agriculture, is working on making resources available to support city of Boston residents who have fruit trees where they live. Click here to be notified for possible future fruit tree resources.
Fruiting Trees, Shrubs, and Perennial Plants
An overview, history, and guide to fruiting plants and trees in Boston.
Pests and Diseases
Learn what pests and diseases you might encounter in your Boston growing space and how to manage these issues.
Industrial Agriculture and Climate Change
Our world's climate is changing. Here's the role of agriculture in that change.
Bees in Boston
Take a dive into Boston's Bees with GrowBoston!
Urban Farming in Boston
Learn more about how GrowBoston supports farming in Boston.
Professional Development for Farmers
Improve your farming skills with these professional development programs and resources compiled by GrowBoston.
Additional Resources for gardens and farms
Additional resources
Acknowledgements
GrowBoston would like to thank the following members of our Advisory Board for their partnership and collaboration.
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Danielle Andrews, The Food Project
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Annabel Rabiyah, The Trustees of Reservations
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Barbara Knecht, R.A., Strategies for Cities
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Vivien Morris, Mattapan Food & Fitness Coalition
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Elnora Thompson, Nightingale Community Garden
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Pete Ellis, Independent Green Infrastructure Consultant
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Apolo Cátala, Food System Advocate and Master Urban Gardener Consultant
Contact
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26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108 -
HOURSWeekdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Submit photos of Boston urban agriculture activities to be featured on our social media.
