The core mission of Topeka Common Ground is to support and promote the establishment and maintenance of sustainable, environmentally friendly Community Gardens in all of Shawnee County, Kansas. As part of that mission, we work to ensure that community gardens in Shawnee County have access to the resources that they need for growing and managing their gardens. Working with and through local partners, we distribute free garden seeds, seed potatoes, onion sets and cole crop seedlings (such as: cabbage and broccoli) in the early spring; tomato and pepper plants in early May and sweet potato slips in June to our affiliated community gardens. When we have funds available, we also offer mini-grants to help cover other garden costs and expenses.
Community Gardens that choose to become Affiliate Gardens with us are eligible to participate in our seed and seedling distributions, and to apply for mini-grants when they are available. If you have a community garden located in Shawnee County, Kansas and would like to become a Topeka Common Ground Affiliate Garden, please see our Affilliate Garden page for more detail and a link to apply. Come grow with us!
Seedlings
Working with and through local partners, we distribute seed potatoes, onion sets and cole crop seedlings (such as: cabbage and broccoli) in the early spring; tomato and pepper plants in early May and sweet potato slips in June to our affiliated community gardens.
Seedlings provided by Topeka Common Ground, Inc. are grown by Shawnee County Parks and Recreation, or purchased through regional wholesale growers and distributors.
Free Garden Seeds
Each year, members of the Topeka Common Ground contact local retail stores and national seed supply companies to solicit donations of garden seeds that we then pass along to local community gardens. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, we held large seed fair events that were open to the general public. In more recent years, we have scaled back a bit to focus on our mission of supporting community gardens, and our seed distribution events are open only to our members and representatives or our Affiliate Gardens. We offer a wide variety of vegetable, herb and flower seeds. Individual TCG Members and gardens that have registered as TCG Affiliates will be notified of the date, time and location where seed distribution will take place.
The garden seeds that we distribute are obtained through donations from various seed companies and local retailers.
Mini-Grants
When we have sufficient funds available, we offer a small number of mini-grants to help our affiliate gardens cover the costs of needed tools or supplies for their gardens. Mini-grant applications are usually released in late Winter or early Spring. All Affiliate Gardens will be notified when mini-grant application periods are opened.
