The Plant Eat Share Series: Public Planting

Tomatoes from Food is Free Portland. Food is Free brings communities together to build gardens in front yards and share the harvest with anyone.

Growing food in public spaces has become more popular over the past few years, especially since the pandemic uncovered how serious food insecurity has become. With public planting, edible plants are grown on sidewalks, in front yards, in public parks, and outside of buildings for anyone to enjoy. They can be maintained by neighbors, local nonprofits, city parks departments, and/or nearby businesses.

Incredible Edible UK garden

There are various types of public planting, including:

• Public Fruit Trees
• Guerilla Gardening
• Seed Bombs
• Community Gardens
• Well-Beeing Gardens
• Food Forests

Public Fruit Trees are exactly what you think — fruit trees planted in public places. There are more than you might think too — check out Falling Fruit’s global map compiled by free food enthusiasts around the world. If you know of some trees in your area that aren’t listed, please add them to this growing database!

If you’d like to plant your own tree, find out how in Change Food’s “How to Plant a Fruit Tree.”