Growing Community at 6,500 Feet

Welcome to the all-new North Tahoe Community Garden

In a small corner of Tahoe Vista, something remarkable is taking root.

Perched at 6,500 feet in the heart of the North Tahoe Regional Park, the newly reimagined North Tahoe Community Garden is quietly thriving — defying the odds of high-elevation and short-season gardening — and creating a growing community focused on education and connection.

Operated by the Recreation, Parks, and Facilities department at the North Tahoe Public Utility District (NTPUD), this vibrant and welcoming space thrives through thoughtful design, year-round educational programs, and a commitment to accessibility and sustainability.

Led by Heather Kenison-Cullen, NTPUD’s Master Gardener, a group of more than 30 local gardeners share weekly responsibilities such as watering and weeding while building relationships that extend well beyond the garden fences. There are meetups, impromptu garden gatherings, and a full season of workshops and classes for all ages. But the garden’s impact stretches far beyond what’s planted in the soil.

Seasonal Community Garden Workshops
Throughout the year, the North Tahoe Community Garden hosts a wide range of workshops designed to meet gardeners where they are — whether they’re complete beginners or longtime growers. These events serve as the educational backbone of the garden, tackling subjects unique to Tahoe’s short growing season and alpine environment.

July’s event is a Mushroom Cultivation Workshop on Sat., July 12, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., led by local mycologist Noah Clarkson. Participants will delve into the fascinating world of fungi and learn how to cultivate edible mushrooms at home. Each guest leaves with a starter kit and the confidence to try their hand at home cultivation — a perfect example of how the garden bridges practical knowledge with hands-on learning.

In August, Kenison-Cullen and the team will welcome local science teacher Sarah McGuire for a Native Pollinator Workshop on Wed., Aug. 20, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. McGuire will share her knowledge of native bees, bugs, andbirds, and she’ll share what you can do to your yard to help protect and provide for Tahoe’s native pollinators.

In September, the focus shifts to pests for the Tahoe Pest Management/DIY Garden Scarecrow Workshop on Wed., Sept. 17, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Community members are invited to learn about integrated pest management strategies, organic pesticide treatments, and prevention. Participants will make their own garden scarecrows to take home and celebrate the season.

Sessions are planned in accordance with seasons. For example, this spring, Kenison-Cullen hosted  a session on organic gardening in Tahoe, a comprehensive session that focused on selecting crops, building healthy soil, managing pests naturally, and working with (rather than against) Tahoe’s dramatic weather patterns. Our winter program focused on growing indoors with house plants and other green-thumb projects. And in February, an herbal tincture workshop invited participants to craft natural remedies using herbs, many of which are grown in the community garden.

All these seasonal offerings help the North Tahoe Community Garden stay vibrant throughout the year, even when snow blankets the ground outside.

Garden Membership
Joining the North Tahoe Community Garden means more than tending your own raised bed — it’s an invitation to be part of a thriving gardening collective rooted in education, stewardship, and fun!

As a member of the North Tahoe Community Garden Club, you’ll receive a seasonal garden plot and take on shared responsibilities. You’ll also gain access to an array of enriching benefits designed to support your growth as a gardener and deepen your connection to the land.

Each member enjoys:

• Seasonal garden plot assignments and shared stewardship of the space
• Ongoing mentorship from Kenison-Cullen, who is available on site three days per week throughout the growing season
• Discounts on the garden’s popular educational workshops (as described above)
• A weekly newsletter with gardening tips, seasonal reminders, and community updates
• Invitations to special events and the shared garden harvest
• Unlimited access to the garden during North Tahoe Regional Park hours

For 2025, membership fees are affordably priced at $75 for NTPUD residents and $100 for nonresidents.

Young growers also are welcome through the “Microgreens” Junior Gardener Membership, which includes all the same benefits, but sized for smaller hands and budding green thumbs. Youth membership is $30 for residents and $40 for nonresidents.

Interested in joining the garden or attending a workshop?
Visit Ntpud.org/communitygarden or stop by the North Tahoe Regional Park in person to learn more.

Whether you’re sowing your first seeds or interested in sharing your years of gardening experience, the North Tahoe Community Garden offers a hands-on way to learn, grow, and give back — right in the heart of one of North Lake Tahoe’s most scenic public parks.