Get Involved!

Transportation and Sustainability Committee 

Get Involved with Emeryville's Community Organic Gardens!  

City of Emeryville and various community groups own and operate four community gardens throughout the city. A map noting each garden's location and information about each garden can be found below. 

Emeryville's Community Gardens 

1. Emeryville Community Organic Garden (ECOG)

Location: 1300 59th St (NW corner of 59th & Doyle St) 

Garden Plots: 30 

To join the garden/waitlist, check out the application below. There is a non-refundable $15.00 application fee. This fee will count towards the first year of dues. Annual dues for those with a garden plot are $60.00. Annual dues for Friends of the Garden, those with garden access but no plot, are $10.00. 

If you have questions or would like to become a Friend of the Garden, please contact the ECOG coordinator at ECOG.59thDoyle@gmail.com.

2. Sherwin Avenue Community Organic Garden (SACOG)

Location: 1550 Sherwin Ave (NW Corner of Sherwin & Halleck) 

Garden Plots: 26

To join the garden/waitlist, check out the application below. There is a non-refundable $15.00 application fee. This fee will count towards the first year of dues. Annual dues for those with a garden plot are $60.00. Annual dues for Friends of the Garden, those with garden access but no plot, are $10.00.

If you have questions or would like to become a Friend of the Garden, please contact the SACOG coordinator at SherwinAvenueGarden@gmail.com.

3. Temescal Creek Community Garden (TEMCOG)

Location:1042 48th St (SW Corner of 48th & 53rd) 

Garden Plots: 25

To join the garden/waitlist, check out the application below. There is a non-refundable $15.00 application fee. This fee will count towards the first year of dues. Annual dues for those with a garden plot are $60.00. Annual dues for Friends of the Garden, those with garden access but no plot, are $10.00.

If you have questions or would like to become a Friend of the Garden, please contact the TEMCOG coordinator at TEMCOG.Emeryville@gmail.com.

4. Big Daddy's Complete Rejuvenating Community Garden

Location: 3601 Peralta St (SW Corner of Peralta & W MacArthur Blvd) 

Garden Plots: 20 

To join the garden/waitlist, contact Vickie Jo Sowell at vickiejosowell@hotmail.com or call (510) 655-7374.

There is a non-refundable $15.00 application fee. This fee will count towards the first year of dues. Annual dues for those with a garden plot are $60.00. Annual dues for Friends of the Garden, those with garden access but no plot, are $10.00.

Garden Eligibility 

Community garden membership is reserved for those who currently live within the 94608 zip code. This includes Emeryville residents and residents of the immediate adjoining portions of Oakland. Residents of 94608 who live in areas identified as "disadvantaged communities" by California State Parks are prioritized when applying for plots at TEMCOG. 

Friend of the Garden is a special non-gardening membership category that allows community members to access the garden in exchange for hosting curious visitors. Friends of the Garden are typically people who enjoy spending time outdoors and in the garden at their convenience; they may or may not be residents of 94608, but are often people who live or work in the vicinity. Please contact the garden coordinator of your preferred garden to learn more about being a Friend.

History 

Emeryville's four community gardens serve over 100 community members interested in gardening and organic produce. The Emeryville Community Organic Garden (ECOG) was established in 1992 by a community group lead by then-resident Elaine Drukman. Big Daddy's Complete Rejuvenating Community Garden, named after the auto business which once existed at the site, was established next, in 2002, through the efforts of resident Vickie Sowell. Both Big Daddy's and ECOG were built by volunteers and funded by generous local donors. Originally, Emeryville leased both gardens from the respective property owners. However, in 2004, ECOG was removed to allow the Doyle Street Greenway Project to advance. At this time, Emeryville purchased the land and had it rezoned as a public park. The garden was rebuilt on the same site in 2005, corresponding with the completion of the Doyle Street Greenway Project. Later, in 2008, the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency acquired a small parcel on 48th Street with plans to build a new community garden. Unfortunately, development stalled due to legal challenges and remediation. In 2011, the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency closed permanently. Luckily, in 2014, City of Emeryville secured funding and began building the Temescal Creek Community Organic Garden (TEMCOG) on the parcel. Recently, in 2016, residents of the Park Avenue Residents Committee negotiated the development of a new community organic garden at the former Sherwin Williams Paint Emulsion Factory site. The Sherwin Avenue Community Organic Garden (SACOG) officially opened to the community in April, 2024. 

Compost

Big Daddy's Complete Rejuvenating Community Garden hosts an annual compost giveaway in celebration of Earth Day. Please check back for next year's event. 

Volunteer and Learn More! 

Plant a Wildflower Lawn & Transform Your Yard Into a Pollinator Paradise! Protect Pollinators and the Food Web!

The City of Emeryville is thrilled to introduce a Wildflower Seed Program aimed at promoting and safeguarding the pollinator population. We encourage residents to plant wildflower seeds and maintain beautiful and supportive gardens with free wildflower seeds provided by the City of Emeryville. This initiative aims to support property owners in their wildflower planting endeavors.

By utilizing our free seeds, you can transform your lawn into a pollinator paradise! Wildflowers provide a low-maintenance solution. They enhance the aesthetic appeal of your yard, adding vibrant colors and reducing the need for extensive maintenance. 

Why Plant Wildflowers?

• Wildflowers attract butterflies, bees, birds, and beneficial insects, providing them with essential food and habitat.
• Reduce the need for regular mowing, watering, and fertilizing, saving both time and money.
• Enjoy a visually stunning yard filled with colorful flowers and natural beauty.

Join us in creating a pollinator-friendly environment and enhancing the beauty of your surroundings with wildflowers!

How It Works

Emeryville residents can email Community Services Director, Rebecca Sermeno at rebecca.sermeno@emeryville.org to receive free seeds.

We kindly ask that participants be current residents of Emeryville. Please provide (original copy) ONE of the following documents to confirm your residency within Emeryville:

• Drivers License/ID, Bill (PG&E, EBMUD, telephone bill), Rental/Lease Agreement or Bank Statements

Recommended Planting Protocol

The best time to plant wildflower seeds is in the fall between October and November. This time is ideal because it is just before the first rain and prior to the arrival of winter/cold temperatures. The early rain will aid in the germination and establishment of the seeds. Seeds will begin to germinate in the winter and bloom from early spring to summer. You can get seeds now to save and mark your calendar for planting in fall/winter.

1. Select a site that is well-drained.
2. Prepare the site by raking or lightly tilling the surface of the soil.
3. If you would like to further prepare your site against weeds, water the area to encourage any dormant weed seeds to grow. Once the weeds sprout, remove them to minimize competition with wildflowers. Repeat this step as many times as necessary before you decide to spread your seeds.
4. Disperse the seeds by hand as desired.
5. Lightly rake or sprinkle the seeded area with potting soil for some coverage. Do not bury the seeds or they will not sprout.
6. After the first rain, do not let the seeds dry out. If it is a dry season, prepare to have irrigation.
7. Maintain the area by removing any weeds or undesired plants.
8. If you want the wildflowers to reseed, eliminate the weeds and prevent them from going to seed. Do not deadhead the flowers until they have dried up so they can produce viable seeds for the following year. You can allow the flowers to self sow or manually collect the seeds to save for the next year.
9. Enjoy your wildflowers and know that you are providing essential resources for our local pollinators!

The Clean City Program is volunteer run program dedicated to beautifying Emeryville by sponsoring special community clean-up events. Volunteers receive a litter pick-up stick and garbage bags and are encouraged to choose an area in their neighborhood that they are proud of and would like to clean up.

For more information, contact Environmental Services at zerowaste@emeryville.org.