Community garden benefits go beyond growing plants, though: Gardens foster community, bringing diverse people together for a common purpose — good eats. Meeting your neighbors and having more eyes on the street may also reduce crime. Plus, you’ll know where your food comes from and what fertilized it.

Ready to get growing? We’ve done a little of the dirty work for you. Check out our roundup below to find the community garden closest to your ‘hood or visit the City of Orlando’s site. Most gardens require a small annual fee ($20-$50) and monthly community workdays. If you need inspiration on what to grow, take a look at this guide on what grows best throughout the year in Central Florida. If you get on a waitlist now, you might be approved by the time it’s cool enough to enjoy it again!

🥒 Sanford
Sanford Community Garden is located in 18th Street Park. Annual enrollment began in February but email SanfordCommunityGarden@gmail.com for more info and to get your name on the list.

🍊 Downtown
Lake Eola Heights: We were on the waitlist for a plot at this garden just north of Lake Eola for six months, so get your name in now by emailing LEHCGarden@gmail.com.

Colonial: Near Fern Creek Elementary, this garden offers 13 plots to help you grow food and meet neighbors. Email colonialtowncommunitygarden@gmail.com for more info.

🥥 Milk District
Festival Park Community Garden: On the edge of Festival Park on Robinson, this garden features 30 plots, an orchard and herb garden. There is a waitlist but email Carl at festivalparkcommunitygarden@gmail.com to get on it. (You’ll get in eventually, he says.)

🍋 East Orlando
Dean Road Community Garden is near the 417 and University Blvd. This garden has seed sharing and discounted mulch, compost, and seeds are available. Email deanrdgarden@gmail.com for more info.

🌶 Southeast Orlando
Englewood Park Community Garden is located in Englewood Park. Fill out this form to learn more about joining.

🍓 Winter Park
Mead Community Garden is near Mead Botanical Garden, and you can email communitygardenboard@meadgarden.org for more information.

Our Whole Community Garden is located just west of Park Ave and has a waitlist that you can join by emailing ourwholecommunity1@gmail.com .

🍆 Lake Nona
My Nona’s Garden isn’t a traditional community garden but offers a raised bed option for your own yard if you want a little kick-start.

🍑 Winter Garden
Winter Garden Community Garden has plenty of room with dozens of plots on a five-acre site. For more information about joining, email wintergardengrows@gmail.com

🥕 Gardens to come?
Maitland area residents, you don’t have gardens yet (that we know of) but this Facebook page is putting out calls for interest from people who are interested in starting gardens or participating in them.

🍉 Additional resources worth a look:

• Want to learn more about gardening in Central Florida? The University of Florida IFAS (Institute of Food and Agricultural Services) offers classes, and resources on its website.
• Not sure you want to commit fully to managing your own plot yet? Try out your green thumb with Fleet Farming during their weekend “swarm rides” on Saturdays and Sundays.

I’ve got five fingers, just wondering if a green thumb is one. Will I (Katie) be able to actually grow my own food? Stay tuned in the months to come to find out! Did we miss your favorite neighborhood garden? Tell us more. You know the drill, hit us up at hello@pulp.town or reply to this email.

You used to call me on my 407 number. It’s official — after May of next year, if not sooner, the 689 area code will be in full effect. Pre-existing customers will retain their current numbers, but new customers in the 407 zone will be issued the 689 code. (Click Orlando)

A drop in the bucket. Last week, Florida gas prices dropped by a half-cent which may seem like a small victory, but it made little difference at the pump. Prices are the highest they’ve been in four years. An AAA spokesman said prices should stay pretty stable, but warned that if Gulf Coast oil refineries are threatened by a hurricane, prices could “pop” again. (Orlando Weekly)

Road to change. The March for our Lives summer bus tour will be making its stop in Central Florida at Lake Eola in the form of a block party from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. The premise is to educate on NRA donations to politicians and to encourage young voters to rally behind stricter gun laws, in turn pushing to a change in gun control. (Orlando Weekly)

Loss and legacy. Orlando’s beloved philanthropist Harriett Lake has died at 96. She was a huge supporter of the arts and donated $5 million to the Orlando Ballet in May to build a dance facility at Loch Haven Park. She was also a passionate supporter of children’s causes and other health-related charities. (WESH)

SeaWorld raises hairs over raising prices. First, they offered free tickets to veterans, then added two free (7-ounce) beers to the deal (win-sorta win). Then they saved Sharkie the Dolphin and released him back to the wild. All good press. But now, SeaWorld is in the news for raising parking prices by $8 to $30 dollars per car as it tests dynamic pricing. (PR NewsWire, Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Weekly)

SEE YOU TOMORROW. ‘TIL THEN, SPEAKEASY

Need a drink? We don’t blame you. These five speakeasies are a good place to start.

Never know, maybe we’ll see you there!

– Pulptown