Overview

The city runs two community garden sites. The Olson Community Garden site is located at the corner of Kerber Boulevard and Santa Vera Drive. The gardens comprise 77 plots, three raised beds, and a community orchard.

The community orchard is along Santa Vera Drive outside of the fence and includes apple and cherry trees and raspberry plants. The city planted the orchard in 2014. The public is welcome to the fruit in the public orchard when it ripens in the summer.

The Lyman Community Garden is located on Lyman Boulevard at the end of Audubon Road, next to the city lift station at 1801 Lyman Boulevard. This site has 16 plots with water available on site.

Plot Registration 2026

Gardeners who held a plot in 2025 may reserve the same plot through January 30, 2026. An email was sent out on January 15, 2026 with registration information for returning gardeners. If you're a returning gardener and did not receive the email, please reach out to jmarsh@chanhassenmn.gov. 

For new gardeners looking to register for a plot, please fill out the online Plot Registration Form. The registration form will be active from Monday, February 2 at 8 a.m. to Friday, March 13, 2026 at 10 p.m. 

Once you submit the application, you will get an automatic confirmation email and submissions will be tracked with the time and date. Garden plots will be assigned on a first come/first registered basis and are based on availability. City staff will reach out to confirm a plot number by March 27. Payment can be made once the garden plot has been confirmed.

Garden Plots

• Gardens are reserved on a first-registered/first-served basis, giving priority to returning gardeners.
• Individual garden plots are generally 10 feet by 10 feet, although the Olson community garden has a few different sizes.
• The gardens are tilled, fertilized, and staked out in the spring. Weather permitting, they should be ready by late May.
• You are responsible for planting, weeding, and, best of all, harvesting!
• Water sources are available at both sites. The locations are shown on the map. Hoses are provided.
• All gardeners must keep their plots as disease-free and weed-free as possible. If a garden is not maintained, a warning will be given. If conditions do not improve, the garden will be forfeited. No pesticides other than insecticidal soap are allowed in the gardens.
• Gardeners are responsible for any personal belongings left behind. 
• The gardens must be cleared by mid-October.
• All levels of gardeners are welcome.
• Please be respectful of others. 
• Check out the guidelines and maps under Resources for more information.

Olson Community Garden Flowerbed Renovation

In May of 2025, Eagle Scout Lance McClintock and Scout Troop 330 created a pollinator-friendly garden in the flowerbed in front of the Olson Community Garden (corner of Kerber Blvd. and Santa Vera Dr.). Lance and his team worked hard to create this beautiful space for everyone to enjoy—people and pollinators alike.

 

Thank you to Lance and Scout Troop 330 for their time and service, as well as Metropolitan Supply and S&S Auto and Truck Repair, both Chanhassen businesses that graciously sponsored the project.

 

 

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