Even before you launch into the planning, take the time to first ask yourself a few questions that will help determine if a new garden site or group is what’s actually needed. Show
Best PracticesThis is our compilation of “best practices” for starting, and sustaining community and school gardens and associated programs.
Stages of Garden DevelopmentOnce you’ve taken the time to think over the suitability of your project, you’re ready to start planning! Remember: every garden and every community is unique. With that in mind, there are steps to building a new garden community that many new garden groups have found helpful to see them through the process. Rather than using the following information as a checklist, we hope that these tips can give you guidance where needed. We wish you the best as you begin to build your garden!
Ideal Timeline for Starting a Community GardenSummer-Fall
Fall
Fall-Winter
Winter
Winter-Spring
Spring
(Sample Timeline for Planning a Community Garden adapted from From Neglected Parcels to Community Gardens: A Handbook, Wasatch Community Gardens) Establishing a Garden Project1. Get your group together
2. Define your goals
3. Develop your garden management plan
4. Pick a siteLook for a site that meets your garden’s purpose and goals. When choosing the potential garden site, keep in mind several considerations, including (or here’s a printable checklist to take with you):
5. Design your garden site (phased development)
What’s included in a site analysis? One way to analyze a site is to map it out and overlay your map of the site with an analysis of physical, programmatic, and design considerations: Site Analysis: Creating a Base Map.
What features should you consider including in your garden?
The following document from the C&S Workplace Gardens Project provides some helpful details on the above features: Physical Garden Features. Also, additional design plans and resources for developing infrastructure in your garden can be found on our Growing in the Garden page. Visit our Community Composting page for more on developing an onsite compost system. 6. Develop your garden budget and fundraising plan
7. Build your garden site
8. Prepare for your gardeners
9. Grow your teamBoth throughout the process of establishing your garden and once it is up and growing, keep in mind ways to include more people in the project. How create a community garden?How to Start a Community Garden. Organize a meeting of interested people. Organize a group meeting and invite anyone you think might be interested. ... . Form a planning committee. ... . Identify your resources. ... . Approach a sponsor. ... . Choose a site. ... . Prepare and develop the site. ... . Plan for children. ... . Organize the garden.. What should be included in a community garden?CHOOSE A SITE. Identify the owner of the land.. Make sure the site gets at least 6 full hours of sunlight daily(for vegetables). Do a soil test in the fall for nutrients & heavy metals.. Consider availability of water.. Try and get a lease or agreement which allows the space to be used at least for 3 years.. How do you turn a vacant lot into a community garden?How to turn a vacant lot into a community garden. Make sure the site is suitable. ... . Get permission from the owner. ... . Check zoning laws & water availability. ... . Crowdsource & formalize your efforts. ... . Brainstorm your garden. ... . Protect your arrangement. ... . Budget & fundraise. ... . Prep & build the site.. What are the key features of a community garden?The basic infrastructure of community gardens is made up of:. soil improvement and management — making soils fertile.. water harvesting and storage — to reduce water consumption.. an area for compost production.. pergola for shelter from sun and rain.. tool storage.. a materials storage area.. durable paths and garden edges.. |