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Frequently Asked Questions 

How is the Agriculture Collaborative involved in supporting community gardens and backyard growers?
Our webpage, www.localfoodnm.org, provides a variety of support and information for both those who grow in their own yards and those who grow with others in a community garden setting.  In addition, related topics are often featured at our monthly meetings, such as at our January meeting on Digging Community Gardens.  We also feature community gardens and backyard growers in articles on our Local Food Blog, such as a downtown resident's edible landscape, and the Action Buzz neighborhood garden.

Is there an existing community garden in my neighborhood?
There are a few community gardens in our region, and the demand for more is high.  View a listing of area community gardens.

Let's Get Growing 

The MRCOG Inspiration Garden

We planted a garden at the MRCOG office building in Downtown Albuquerque to inspire people to plant their own vegetable garden and purchase locally grown foods. 

Here are 10 tips for starting your garden today:

1. Decide what style of garden you want to have. For example, you may want to have a large row style garden, or if you are limited on space you may choose container gardening instead.
2. Select a good growing location in your yard, taking into account sun exposure, access to water, and soil and drainage conditions.
3. Prepare and till your soil, and don't forget to add compost.
4. Shape your garden rows or build raised beds with wood or other materials.
5. Based on the season as well as the size of your garden, select appropriate seeds and seedlings to plant. Remember to plant foods that you enjoy, and try something new as well.
6. Water and weed your garden regularly, and keep an eye out for bugs and other problems.
7. Harvest your bounty, and re-seed or add new crops as needed.
8. Take notes on what worked and what did not, so you are better prepared for the next growing season.
9. If you grew more food than you can eat, give some away or preserve it for the winter months.
10. Remember to have fun and enjoy the fresh produce you have grown.

Can I grow food in my front yard?
Although backyard gardening is most popular, some homeowners are replacing their front lawns with a vegetable garden, creating an edible landscape.  Growing in your front yard is legal in most municipalities, although homeowner association by-laws may prohibit the growing of food in front yards.

Can I keep chickens, bees, or other livestock?
Again, it depends on where you live, so it's best to check with your municipality or homeowners association before you start keeping livestock.  In the city of Albuquerque, for example, you can keep up to 15 chickens per household in single family residential areas, and bee keeping is also permitted.  Keeping hoofed animals, such as cows and pigs, depends on property size and zoning. 

How do I know what USDA growing zone I am in?
Growing zones in New Mexico's mid-region can be a bit tricky to understand due to a variety of elevation changes and valley micro-climates.  New Mexico State University has a great publication that can help you determine your growing region.  The best way to find out however is through experience growing at your location, and by talking with other growers in your immediate area. 

Where can I get tips and advice for gardening?
There are a variety of great resources to help cultivate your green thumb.  For starters, check out the NMSU publication Home Vegetable Gardening in New Mexico, which details eight easy steps for a successful home garden.  Also, they have an extensive publications page with topics ranging from worm composting to growing raspberries. The Albuquerque Area Master Gardeners has an online monthly garden calendar with gardening tips and reminders, and you can also call them with questions.  Be sure to also check out our local food and agriculture events calendar, as there are a variety of workshops and classes offered year-round.

Resources

Existing Community Gardens

Action Buzz Neighborhood Garden - Wells Park/Sawmill 

Alvarado Urban Farm - Downtown

Growing Awareness Urban Farm at East Central Ministries - La Mesa/Trumbell Village/International District

La Placita Garden - South Valley

Project Feed the Hood Garden -  International District

Rio Grande Community Farm Community Gardens - North Valley

The Source Community Garden - International District

UNM Lobo Gardens - UNM Campus and all over town

Gardens can also be found at community centers such as Loma Linda, Los Duranes, and Cesar Chavez.

Local Resources

ABQ Urban Chicken Keeping Group, on Duke City Fix 
Chat and connect with other Albuquerque area chicken keepers.

Albuquerque Area Master Gardener's
The Master Gardener's are a great source for information.  You can also go through thier training program and become a master gardener yourself.

American Friends Service Committee - Albuquerque
AFSC New Mexico creates economic viability through the training of small farmers in sustainable agricultural practices, thereby protecting land and water rights and traditional cultural practices.

Bernalillo County Extension Master Composters
Master Composters teach classes on the science, materials and methods of home composting which are  free to the community. 

Gardener's Guild
Offering education, community, empowerment, and a variety of services to urban growers. Visit them online and join Garden Exchange ABQ.

Grow It Yourself Online Map
The MRCOG Agriculture Collaborative created a series of Local Food Maps to help you find local resources related to gardening and small scale food production.

New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension
The NMSU Cooperative Extension offers a great listing of online publications related to gardening and small scale food production.  You can also contact your county Cooperative Extension at the links below.

Urban Beekeepers Group, on Duke City Fix 
Chat and connect with other Albuquerque area beekeepers.

Urban Farming Group, on Duke City Fix
Chat and connect with other Albuquerque area urban farmers.

Roof Reliant Landscaping, a free digital book via the Office of the State Engineer, authored by Nate Downey.

New Mexico Extension Offices

Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension

Sandoval County Cooperative Extension

Valencia County Cooperative Extension

National Resources

American Community Gardening Association
They offer a variety of great resources for both existing and new community gardens.

Ample Harvest
Are you a gardener with excess harvest? If so, use Ample Harvest to find the closest food bank where you can donate your fresh fruits and veggies.

Establishing Land Use Protections for Community Gardens
This document, by Planning for Healthy Places, provides example planning and zoning language for establishing and protecting community gardens.

Kitchen Gardeners
A network of gardeners from around the world.

UrbanChickens.org
A national website promoting backyard chicken keeping, based out of Albuquerque.