Grow and Give Gardens
Posted by Jessie Jacobson on Dec 31st 2023
Grow and Give Garden Success!
Tonkadale is celebrating a record year of Grow & Give Donation Gardens. We recognize and appreciate the contributions and work of all the gardeners and volunteers who collaborate with the Grow & Give program. At Tonkadale we believe that gardening enriches lives, the community, and the environment. We are proud of these partnerships that increase access to fresh, whole foods in our community.
Tonkadale is committed to supporting community donation gardens and in 2015 started the Grow & Give Garden program. We partner with local, nonprofit, and community organizations that plant and tend to these gardens. Tonkadale donates seeds, veggie starts, and herbs. The Grow and Give gardens are organized and managed by various groups and volunteers within the community in their spaces. Fresh produce is then donated to local food shelves.
2023 Highlights
- Tonkadale partnered with seven community gardens and donated over $3,200 in seeds and starter plants including fruits, vegetables, companion flowers, and herbs.
- Donation gardens grew tomatoes, broccoli, eggplant, squash, onions, celery, peppers, cauliflower, green beans, beets, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelon, kale, Swiss chard, cabbage, kohlrabi, potatoes, and more!
- Companion plantings included zinnias, marigolds, sunflowers, and other flowering plants to attract bees, beneficial insects, and pollinators.
- The gardens are located around the community next to churches, a school courtyard, in a neighborhood and managed by volunteers, teens, students, and clergy members.
- 10,7700 lbs. of fresh produce were donated to the ICA Food Shelf, WeCan, and Every Meal
2022 Highlights
- Tonkadale partnered with seven community gardens and donated over $2,900 in seeds and starter plants including fruits, vegetables, companion flowers, and herbs
- Approximately 8,000 lbs. of produce grown for the ICA Foodshelf, WeCan, Every Meal, and direct to families.
2021 Highlights
- Tonkadale partnered with six community gardens and donated over $2,250 in seeds and starter plants including fruits, vegetables, companion flowers, and herbs.
- 7,500 lbs. were donated to the ICA Food Shelf, WeCan, and Every Meal
Thank You!
Thank you to our 2023 partners!
The Gardens at St. Therese, Minnetonka High School, Surly Gives A Damn, Sheridan Neighborhood Garden/Dangerous Man Brewing, Kidezone Hopkins, and Our Savior’s Congregation. We THANK YOU for your partnership, hard work, and service. We are delighted to share our passion for growing wonderful things and community service. We look forward to seeing you next spring!
A special thank you to KELLY in our office for coordinating the Grow and Give Gardens. Your care and attention to detail make this all possible! YOU are amazing and we appreciate you.
Get Involved
If you are part of a nonprofit or community organization that would like to participate in our 2024 Grow & Give Garden program, please contact Kelly at kelly@tonkadale.com.
If you are an individual who wants to “Grow-A-Row” for donation, please contact the ICA Food Shelf or your local food shelf for directions on how to donate.