Want to grow veggies in the city -- but lack suitable land?

The city of Minneapolis has some vacant lots that it's offering for lease as community gardens. The 10 lots are considered unbuildable, because of size or other factors, which means your garden most likely won't be uprooted even if the economy improves and redevelopment picks up.

The available lots are located throughout the city, although primarily on the North Side. They're being offered for gardening by the city's Community Garden Program, part of Homegrown Minneapolis, a citywide initiative to expand opportunities for growing healthy food locally.

The vacant lots are available to qualifying groups on a first-come, first-served basis. Experienced community garden groups may be eligible for three- to five-year leases, while groups gardening for the first time will start with one-year leases. To qualify, a group must be a nonprofit organization or be sponsored by a nonprofit organization, and must be able to provide liability insurance.

For more information on the Homegrown Minneapolis Community Gardens Program, visit www.minneapolismn.gov/health/homegrown/dhfs_gardeners or call 612-673-5051.

Kim Palmer • 612-673-4784