Community gardens play a crucial yet underappreciated role in communities. They help create and build community, provide people access to fresh foods, and have several environmental benefits. However, setting one up may present a challenge, as there are essential steps to follow for it to succeed.
As Forward Wayne County continues to focus on the Environment, we will discuss all things community gardens. This includes what they are, their benefits, and some steps to follow if you want to start one.
What is a Community Garden?
The idea of a community garden is rather self-explanatory. It is a local space where people can plant their own fruits and vegetables. Some gardens also grow other plants, like herbs. Community gardens can be found at parks, churches, public land, and, in some cases, private property.
Community gardens are a great way to allow people to engage in gardening while introducing new people to the skill. They have several community and environmental benefits, some of which are listed below.
Benefits of a Community Garden
Environmental
Cities and towns face many environmental issues. Starting a community garden can help relieve some of them. Community gardens can improve social and air quality while providing a boost to composting efforts. This can help reduce waste, strengthen plant presence, and add more oxygen to the air.
Additionally, community gardens add more biodiversity to a city by providing more green space and plant life in the community.
Creating Community
Creating a local gardening space is an easy way to bring the community together. Many people share a hobby of gardening, and a community garden would bring them all together in one spot. It can create more connections and establish a group dedicated to maintaining the space.
If things go well, there is always the opportunity to attract people interested in gardening. This could be anyone, young or old, who has never had the chance to start a garden.
Addressing Local Issues
Interestingly, community gardens can address local issues. One problem is food insecurity, which is the condition where people are unable to access sufficient food sources. This presents a barrier to accessing healthy food. The fruits and vegetables grown in gardens can give residents a reliable source of freshly grown food.
Another issue that can be addressed is vacant lots. In some scenarios, vacant lots have been perfect community garden spaces, helping to repurpose properties and give them new life.
Starting a Community Garden
Sometimes, starting a community garden is easier said than done. This process has different challenges, but here are some steps to follow if someone were to create one.
Form a Group
The first step is to form a group of dedicated community members. This can be accomplished by identifying residents with an interest in gardening. Once they are identified, leaders should be chosen, and meetings should be held to organize the group. The group also needs to decide who is in charge of what functions, including garden care, budgeting, rules/regulations, marketing, and admitting new members.
Some popular groups and organizations that have created gardens include churches, neighborhood associations, and local governments.
Find Available Land
The next step is to find an open space for the garden. Community gardens require a central and reliable location to ensure easy accessibility. A variety of places have hosted a garden. Some popular ones include parks, vacant lots, churches, and public land.
In any case, getting permission from the property owner before taking any significant steps is critical. Also, consider researching local ordinances and policies.
Gather Resources and Funding
Various resources are needed to start a community garden. One of the more critical components being funding. Some typical costs include construction supplies, maintenance fees, water fees, and even liability insurance. Fundraising, applying for grants, and looking for sponsors can make a huge difference in overcoming monetary barriers.
Additionally, it is important to make careful decisions when building the actual garden. These could include the size of the garden, the number of plots it will have, and water accessibility.
Establishing Guidelines
Before the garden is open to residents, clear guidelines need to be in place. The group in charge of the project should create clearly written rules and regulations. They should create rules for plot rentals, the types of plants allowed, garden care schedules, and whether anyone under the age of 18 is permitted without adult supervision.
A list of rules should be posted on a sign right outside the garden to prevent confusion.
Maintaining the Garden
Once fully established, the garden requires extensive ongoing maintenance. For example, who will handle weeding and watering, watch for vandalism, fix construction issues, clean up litter, and ensure the rules are followed? It seems like a lot, but if the gardening group has established responsibilities among members, it will be a smoother process.
The community garden should always be open to new members and people interested in gardening. People should celebrate the garden’s success and find ways to promote it to the community.
Are you feeling inspired yet? Starting a community garden can be an arduous task. On the bright side, if you can create a dedicated group, it will go a long way in helping the project reach fruition. The benefits of a community garden make it a worthwhile investment.
Several online resources can help in this process. Check out the American Community Gardening Association for some helpful tips and guidance.
