Welcome to the Dowling Community Garden
Catalog and display lady bug Dancing Wasp Marizol Purple Dowling Public Garden White Flower

Welcome to Dowling Community Garden

Two blocks west of the Mississippi river, the Dowling Community Garden is located on the grounds of the Dowling Environmental School, at 46th Avenue and 39th Street South in Minneapolis. The Dowling Garden is believed to be one of the last two remaining Victory Gardens in use today, and celebrated it's 65th Anniversary in 2008.

We have grown from a handful of gardens to a community garden of over 190 plots and about 250 gardeners. Dowling gardeners live in Minneapolis and surrounding communities, are culturally diverse, of all ages and abilities and come together to share their love of gardening.

The garden is run by a small group of volunteers who meet monthly to plan activities and improvements, tackle ongoing management issues, and serve as liaisons with the community. Dowling gardeners are welcome to join us; call the Dowling phone line at (651) 255-6607 or drop us an .

For information regarding the Dowling Community Garden, please leave a message on the Dowling Garden voice mail at: (651) 255-6607. Our mailing address is:

  • Dowling Community Garden
  • P.O. Box 6757
  • Minneapolis, MN 55406

Urban Farming

Dowling Community Garden has been recently featured in an article in Urban Farm Magazine. A link to the article can be found here.

Waiting List

Sadly, all the plots are taken for 2012. At this time Dowling Community Garden is no longer accepting names for the waiting list as our current waiting list is too long.

Many thanks to everyone who helped make this site possible.

This page updated on February 4, 2012.

2012 Gardening School

  • Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
  • 3675 Arboretum Drive
  • Chaska MN 55318
  • (952) 443-1422

Learn from the experts through lectures, demonstrations, on-site garden visits and hands-on activities. The Arboretum Gardening School offers rich opportunities for lifelong learning on a full range of topics. Whether a beginner, enthusiast or an industry professional, the Arboretum Gardening School offers the right classes to fit your needs. For class listing, times and availability, please visit the Gardening School.

All About Orchids

  • Wednesday, February 8, 7pm
  • Longfellow Garden Club
  • Epworth Church 3205 37th Ave.S.
  • Minneapolis, MN 55406

Have you hesitated about bringing home one of those gorgeous orchids? Learn how to take care of them from Jason Fischer, local Twin City expert and orchid breeder, at the Garden Club’s February meeting. Jason’s family started Orchids Limited in 1978 (www.orchidweb.com) and currently have “grown” it into five orchid greenhouses and a lab for the propagation and development of new orchid varieties. Jason will discuss general orchid care, plus advice about reblooming and when to repot, and can answer questions you may have about your own plants. Don't be surprised if he recommends that orchids spend the summer out in the garden !