Summit Community Gardens and EATS are committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community. We believe that cultivating diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is essential to creating a thriving and harmonious environment: in our school and garden-based education programs, at our events, and in our garden.
Summit Community Gardens and EATS acknowledges that the land on which we garden and gather is the ancestral homeland of the Ute people and that land throughout Utah is the ancestral homeland of the Ute, Shoshone, Paiute, and Goshute tribes. We recognize all indigenous people as the original stewards of this land and acknowledge that many practices used today in gardening originated from these people.
Our 1.5 acre garden space has grown and evolved over the years however our mission has remained the same, we are a place for the community to gather, learn, and grow.
Demonstration Beds
The demonstration beds serve as a guide to the community on how, when, and what we can grow at high altitude. We utilize organic practices in our beds and do not use any synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. With a no till approach to our soil, we benefit from better soil structure and overall soil health. These practices result in a higher overall yield and better quality of food. We grow a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, all of which are harvested weekly. The produce is delivered to our Food Farmacy program. Each year these 36 beds yield over 1,000 pounds of food for families in need in our community.
Perennial Beds
When you enter the garden you will come upon 3 of our 4 perennial beds. These beds are filled with native plants, shrubs, and flowers that bloom year after year. The plants were selected based on our USDA plant hardiness zone and their low water needs for our high desert environment. In addition to planting waterwise plants, we also have a bed focused on firewise plants. Firewise plants help minimize fire hazard for surrounding structures. In these beds you will find plants like Agastache, Chives, Hollyhocks, Lavender, Russian Sage, Salvia, and many others. Perhaps the biggest benefit of our perennial beds though is that they encourage pollinators to come in and enjoy the garden.
Garden Plots
We have 134 individual plots that can be rented each summer by community members. Each plot is 14’ x 6’, has drip irrigation installed, and the best gardening back drop in town! Our drip irrigation system efficiently waters plants deeply, aiding in the development of strong and resilient roots, while also limiting the need for frequent watering. These garden beds follow the same sustainable growing practices that we utilize in our demonstration beds. Gardeners are welcome to select their own favorite crops to grow and we encourage folks to share their plot with friends and family. You can secure your own garden plot here.
Children’s Garden & Classroom
Our goal is to create a space where youth feel inspired to learn about gardening and the land, from seed to table. We provide garden education to our youngest community members and are eager to offer a comfortable, inviting space for children to experience the benefits of gardening, connecting art with natural elements, bringing music into the garden, doing yoga and cooking the healthy, organic food we grow. We are here to inspire children to imagine, learn, play, and grow. The classroom space is named in honor of Billie Koleman (Miss Billie), the previous owner of the land who spent her career caring for children in her school.
We host a variety of programs for children including summer camps, afterschool in the garden, field trips public, private, charter and homeschool groups.
Bee Hives
Bees are a vital element in the sustainability of agriculture. At least 1/3 of our food supply comes from crops that require insect pollination, most of which is done by bees. Having honey bees in the garden ensures pollination for our vegetables and flowers, contributes to higher crop yields and increases overall food quality. If that wasn’t enough, they also give us delicious honey!
Our hives are cared for by Root Revival. These experienced beekeepers monitor the health of our hives year round and ensure they have a pest and disease free environment in which our bees can thrive. And, we’ve been told we have very friendly bees!
Gathering Space
Bringing the community together is a core part of our mission. The gathering space in our garden contains picnic tables for themed dinners, special harvest celebrations, community education classes, plot renter gatherings, and offers a space for the general public to come together. Our goal is to offer a beautiful, open space for folks to gather and enjoy our mountain community. In 2024, we will install three sunshades, similar to the ones in our children’s garden, that will provide rain cover and sun protection without disrupting the beautiful views. These durable, sail-shaped covers will greatly enhance the experience of our guests and protect them from the elements.
