Updated February 22, 2016
Which US states have the most community gardens per capita? The answer may surprise you…
When you think of community gardening, you might only think of big cities and urban areas, but did you know that there are over 1,300 community gardens in the United States?
And the top states for community gardens per capita are hardly urban… Number one is North Dakota, with one community garden for every 23 thousand people. Numbers two through four are all fairly rural too: Nebraska, Iowa, and Alaska. It’s not until you get to the number five that a more urban area comes up: Washington DC.
Here’s the full ranking of all fifty states plus the District of Columbia.
Rank | State | Gardens | Population | 1 Garden per X People |
---|
1 | North Dakota | 31 | 723,393 | 23,335 |
2 | Nebraska | 55 | 1,868,516 | 33,973 |
3 | Iowa | 87 | 3,090,416 | 35,522 |
4 | Alaska | 20 | 735,132 | 36,757 |
5 | District of Columbia | 15 | 646,449 | 43,097 |
6 | South Dakota | 16 | 844,877 | 52,805 |
7 | Montana | 18 | 1,015,165 | 56,398 |
8 | Vermont | 11 | 626,630 | 56,966 |
9 | Louisiana | 56 | 4,625,470 | 82,598 |
10 | Mississippi | 36 | 2,991,207 | 83,089 |
11 | Maine | 13 | 1,328,302 | 102,177 |
12 | Idaho | 15 | 1,612,136 | 107,476 |
13 | South Carolina | 44 | 4,774,839 | 108,519 |
14 | Arkansas | 26 | 2,959,373 | 113,822 |
15 | Wyoming | 5 | 582,658 | 116,532 |
16 | West Virginia | 15 | 1,854,304 | 123,620 |
17 | Kansas | 23 | 2,893,957 | 125,824 |
18 | Rhode Island | 8 | 1,051,511 | 131,439 |
19 | Missouri | 44 | 6,044,171 | 137,368 |
20 | Connecticut | 25 | 3,596,080 | 143,843 |
21 | Washington | 42 | 6,971,406 | 165,986 |
22 | Maryland | 30 | 5,928,814 | 197,627 |
23 | Michigan | 50 | 9,895,622 | 197,912 |
24 | Illinois | 62 | 12,882,135 | 207,776 |
25 | Minnesota | 26 | 5,420,380 | 208,476 |
26 | New Mexico | 9 | 2,085,287 | 231,699 |
27 | Oregon | 16 | 3,930,065 | 245,629 |
28 | Indiana | 25 | 6,570,902 | 262,836 |
29 | New Hampshire | 5 | 1,323,459 | 264,692 |
30 | Virginia | 31 | 8,260,405 | 266,465 |
31 | North Carolina | 34 | 9,848,060 | 289,649 |
32 | Wisconsin | 19 | 5,742,713 | 302,248 |
33 | Delaware | 3 | 925,749 | 308,583 |
34 | Pennsylvania | 40 | 12,773,801 | 319,345 |
35 | Colorado | 16 | 5,268,367 | 329,273 |
36 | Ohio | 33 | 11,570,808 | 350,631 |
37 | Utah | 8 | 2,900,872 | 362,609 |
38 | Kentucky | 12 | 4,395,295 | 366,275 |
39 | New York | 49 | 19,651,127 | 401,043 |
40 | Tennessee | 16 | 6,495,978 | 405,999 |
41 | Texas | 64 | 26,448,193 | 413,253 |
42 | Georgia | 24 | 9,992,167 | 416,340 |
43 | Hawaii | 3 | 1,404,054 | 468,018 |
44 | Alabama | 9 | 4,833,722 | 537,080 |
45 | Nevada | 5 | 2,790,136 | 558,027 |
46 | New Jersey | 15 | 8,899,339 | 593,289 |
47 | Massachusetts | 11 | 6,692,824 | 608,439 |
48 | California | 62 | 38,332,521 | 618,266 |
49 | Oklahoma | 6 | 3,850,568 | 641,761 |
50 | Arizona | 8 | 6,626,624 | 828,328 |
51 | Florida | 15 | 19,552,860 | 1,303,524 |
Source: USDA
In some of the states where community gardening is less popular, private gardening is definitely taking up the slack. Check out the top five states for private garden projects on Porch. None of the top states for private garden projects on Porch even cracked the top twenty for community gardens.
Rank | State | Community Rank | Median Cost |
---|
1 | Washington | 21 | $140,000 |
2 | Massachusetts | 47 | $130,000 |
3 | Maryland | 22 | $64,000 |
4 | California | 48 | $60,000 |
5 | Minnesota | 25 | $50,000 |
Here’s a not-too-out-of-the-ordinary example from Washington—a $200,000 lakefront garden project by Darwin Webb Landscape Architects.
![Which US States Most Dig Community Gardening? (1) Which US States Most Dig Community Gardening? (1)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)
When it comes to gardening, money doesn’t have to be an obstacle. Whether you’re able to afford a luxurious, exquisite garden like this, or a more modest garden, or just a slot in the local community garden, you’ve got lots of choices to get your green thumb on this spring. Looking for a community garden in your area? Check out the USDA map of community gardens. There’s no excuse not to get out there and grow something!
Top image credit: Seattle Municipal Archives
FAQs
Number one is North Dakota, with one community garden for every 23 thousand people. Numbers two through four are all fairly rural too: Nebraska, Iowa, and Alaska. It's not until you get to the number five that a more urban area comes up: Washington DC.
Where in the US is best for gardening? ›
Orlando, FL, known for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, ranks #1 on our list as the best city in the U.S. for green thumbs. Miami and Tampa, FL ranked second and third by a narrow margin.
What state has the best climate for gardening? ›
California is best known for its warm weather and predictable weather patterns. These same qualities are one of the reasons California is one of the best places for agriculture and home gardening. This is especially true in the Central Valley where much of the state's agricultural land is located.
What state produces the most landscape plants? ›
Florida, the leading State with crops valued at $1.07 billion, up 13 percent from the 2018 value. California, the next largest producer, is down 17 percent from the prior year to $1.02 billion in wholesale value. These two States account for 47 percent of the total value.
What states are best for greenhouses? ›
According to Hickman's report, the largest number of greenhouse vegetable growers/producers are located in the states of Pennsylvania – 593, New York – 435, California–427, Maine–386 and Michigan–341.
What state does the most gardening? ›
Which US States Most Dig Community Gardening?
Rank | State | 1 Garden per X People |
---|
1 | North Dakota | 23,335 |
2 | Nebraska | 33,973 |
3 | Iowa | 35,522 |
4 | Alaska | 36,757 |
47 more rowsFeb 22, 2016
Which US region has the best soil? ›
Mollisols found in the Midwestern U.S. are the best for agriculture due to the grasslands that were present thousands of years ago. These prairies produced strong and fertile soils because after each year, the grasses would breakdown and contribute nutrients to the ground.
What state has perfect weather all year-round? ›
The US city that is often considered to have the best year-round weather is San Diego, California. With its mild temperatures, low humidity, and abundant sunshine, San Diego offers a pleasant climate throughout the year, making it a popular destination for those seeking ideal weather conditions.
What is the best state to grow your own food in? ›
10 Best States For Homesteading 2023
- Tennessee. Rural Tennessee is already a popular location for sustainable living enthusiasts, with a fantastic harvesting season of around 9 months of the year, there are low property taxes and costs.
- Idaho. ...
- Oregon. ...
- Maine. ...
- Michigan. ...
- Connecticut. ...
- Montana. ...
- Alaska. ...
Which US state grows the most vegetables? ›
California ranked first in both vegetable categories: fresh market (870,274 acres) and processing (300,299 acres). Florida and Idaho followed in fresh market vegetables, and Washington and Wisconsin followed in processing vegetables.
The closer to the equator, the longer the growing season. In fact, there are areas of South Florida that see no end to the growing season during most years. The state with the shortest growing season is Alaska. In Alaska, the average growing season is around 100 days long.
What state is best for landscaping? ›
Best States for Landscaping Businesses
- Vermont.
- Wyoming.
- Nevada.
- Minnesota.
- Massachusetts.
- Connecticut.
- Washington.
- Montana.
What state is the best to grow crops? ›
California ranks first in the U.S. for agricultural cash receipts followed by Iowa, Texas, Nebraska and Illinois. How much does agriculture contribute to the economy? Short story: Billions.
What state has the most earth homes? ›
Oregon comes in first overall as the number one state for green homes. Compared to the rest of the country, Oregon excels in almost every category, from renewable energy and recycling to green real estate and incentive programs.
What is the greenhouse capital of the United States? ›
With 400 acres "under glass" by the early 1960s, Greater Cleveland enjoyed the reputation as the "Greenhouse Capital of America." The only larger concentrations in the world were said to be in Holland and England. Today Cleveland has the largest urban hydroponic greenhouse in the U.S.
Where is the best place for a green house? ›
Generally, the best spot for a greenhouse is on the south or southeast side of the house in a sunny area that gets the most sun from fall through winter (November to February in most places). If this option doesn't exist, the next best location for the greenhouse is the east side.
What state is best for growing crops? ›
California ranks first in the U.S. for agricultural cash receipts followed by Iowa, Texas, Nebraska and Illinois. How much does agriculture contribute to the economy? Short story: Billions.
Where is the best place to establish your garden? ›
The best place to site your vegetable garden would be where it gets the most sun and has the best soil. A southern exposure is ideal, especially if the ground slopes away from the garden so the heavier cold air flows away from it. That gives the garden it's longest season with best light and soil.
What part of the United States has the longest growing season? ›
High in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the U.S. state of California, the growing season lasts only 50 days, but along the state's southern coast, the growing season lasts 365 days.
Which city has the best gardens? ›
Botanical Gardens, Kolkata
The Botanical Gardens of Calcutta were founded by Robert Kyd in 1787. Protected by the Botanical Survey of India, it stretches over 109 hectares.