In 1989, George Brookbank, a University of Arizona Cooperative Extension agent, devised a program to teach productive gardening using hands-on experience. A vacant lot located near 1st Ave. and Limberlost was graciously donated by the Hand family and was developed into plots with drip-irrigation systems. These plots were rented by participating families for the cost of water.

In 1995, a new Extension agent decided community gardening was no longer a priority. Rather than abandon the thriving garden, George Brookbank, with the help of some local master gardeners, helped form the Community Gardens of Tucson as an independent, not-for-profit, volunteer organization. Since that time, CGT has expanded garden educational opportunities by developing and sustaining four additional CGT gardens throughout Tucson and assisting other organizations (Community Food Bank, Hedrick Acres, and the Mennonite Peace Garden) to develop their own community gardens. Sadly, the original CGT garden was lost in 2006 to commercial development; when it closed this garden held 30 developed plots.