The Benefits of Community Gardens
Janet B. Carson
Extension Horticulture Specialist
Why start a community garden
– stimulating social
interaction,
– encouraging self-reliance,
– beautifying neighborhoods,
– producing nutritious food,
– reducing family food
budgets,
– conserving resources and
– creating opportunities for
recreation, exercise, &
therapy
Brings together a diverse group
Types of Gardens
•
•
•
•
•
School Gardens
Church-based
Food Pantry Gardens
Neighborhood
City or county wide
School based
Church based
Church/Food Pantry
Neighborhood
County Wide
Planning Your Garden Project
• Get a core of people together who are committed
• Talk to people who might be interested
• Conduct a basic investigation of local assets and
basic community garden needs
• Hold a public meeting to recruit gardeners
• Create the site plan and develop the site
Organize a meeting of interested
people
•
•
•
•
•
Identify possible sites
Funding sources
Water availability
Partnerships
What type of gardens
– Raised beds,
– Seasonal or year-round
Who will be
involved?
• Anyone in the
community who wants
to garden?
• Neighborhood based
• Senior Citizen Center
• School
Determine budgets
•
•
•
•
Who pays for water?
Plot rental?
Security
Seeds, plants, fertilizer
Contracts?
• Put in writing what is
expected.
• Who will maintain if
they don’t?
• Individual or group
plots?
One person cannot do it alone
• Create networks of
support.
• Build coalitions.
• Work with local food
banks.
Advertise
• Get the word out.
• Hold open houses
• Invite the press.
Public Relations
Start Small and
Build on Your
Success