Background of the Community Garden

In 2008, local resident Dave Wheeler with Bill Bower of the YMCA, worked in collaboration with the City of Gig Harbor, and initiated a Community Garden at Wilkinson Farm. Seeds were planted in the same location where Helen Wilkinson’s pioneer family harvested crops decades ago. A year later Barbara Carr, another local resident, took the lead. With the help of sponsors and volunteers from Healthy Communities of Pierce County, St. Anthony Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club, Healthy Harbor and volunteers from the area, the garden took shape.

There are 45 raised garden beds available to community members. Yearly, members pay a small fee for an individual plot. Members also participate in monthly potluck dinners and garden maintenance projects. The Garden maintains an automatic watering system that provides sufficient water for vegetables.  

Foodbank Support

In addition to individual plots, the Garden dedicates space for growing organic vegetables for those in need. Harvested crops are delivered to local food banks, including the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank. Gardeners and community volunteers work to plant, weed, harvest and deliver nearly 1,000 pounds of produce each year to food banks.

Charitable Donations

The Gig Harbor Community Garden is an IRS qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Please consider making a financial donation to support our community and food bank efforts. Donations are tax deductible as provided under IRS rules. 

Wilkinson Farm Greenhouse

The need for a usable greenhouse to allow volunteers to grow starts from seeds prompted the replacement of an older structure at Wilkinson Farm Park. This greenhouse provides a cost savings over having to purchase starts in the spring.

The greenhouse was designed by former Mayor Chuck Hunter and constructed under the leadership of Rotarian Oliver Magnuson. In partnership, the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor, the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday, and the Gig Harbor High School Interact Club financed its construction. Thanks to Rotarian Mark Hoppen, Rotarian volunteers, PenMet Parks and Peninsula Light Company, the new greenhouse was completed in 2012.