5 steps to your new community garden

When I moved into my new apartment in Washington DC, the first thing I did was contact the two nearest community gardens to apply for a garden plot. The first replied that I was just barely outside the borders of their eligible neighborhood; the second regretfully informed me that they had no available spots, and that their waiting list was so long they had actually stopped putting people on the waiting list.

So what gives? Where can I grow some food? My windows face north. I could suspend pots from the clothesline over our building’s alley… or become a guerrilla gardener… or volunteer at a local farm… but those are topics for another post.

I know I’m not the only one in this situation. And at the same time, the availability of fresh, local, healthy produce is severely limited in many urban centers, especially in the most under-resourced neighborhoods, so we should definitely be encouraging people to grow their own food. We need more community gardens, so let’s start digging!

Why build a community garden? Because aside from all this talk of obesity epidemics and food deserts and dire predictions on food security, we need more than just access to good local produce to make this work. We need a food culture that’s tied to agriculture and a knowledge of where our food comes from. A culture that’s centered on a community gathering space to get together and swap recipes, show kids that dirt and bugs can be fun, share ideas and know-how, and ask…

“What should we do next to fix up the neighborhood?”

So here’s what you need:

1. Land. Keep in mind that you need access to water and sunlight, as well as permission from whoever owns the land. Here are some great places to start:

Identify local parks, or playspaces at schools, community and religious organizations, and ask them if you can add a community garden to their space. The KaBOOM! Playspace Finder is a great place to start your search. If there isn’t already a great outdoor community space in your neighborhood, consider repurposing the shared space around the sidewalks on your block. No space is too small! Consider also talking to local universities and schools about donating space in return for educational sessions for the students, or some really fresh local produce for their salad bar.

2. A dedicated group of people. The more people you involve in your project, the better: they’ll feel invested in the project and take care of it long-term, and they’ll also connect you to assets, skills and resources in the community that can help get your project completed. Within this group, you need a core committee of 4-5 people to take on responsibilities and really keep things moving forward.

3. A design. Do you want a community garden where everyone has an individual plot for their own use, or one where you all take turns tending the same big area and share or sell your produce? Search out example designs for inspiration, or create your own to suit your space. If you don’t have permission for a permanent installation, consider a design that uses above-ground containers.

4. Start-up resources. To get your project off the ground, you’ll need access to the necessary materials like lumber and soil. If you don’t have a budget, don’t worry– this is where the connections you have in your neighborhood, and all your community assets and resources really make a difference. Start by calling up your park department and other local community organizations, and send a bulletin out to the neighborhood and those already involved with your project, to see if they can loan you the tools you’ll need like shovels and wheelbarrows. You’ll be surprised who comes to the table when you give them a simple way to get involved and a sense of shared ownership over the project. Once your community garden project is up and running, consider hosting events or annual fundraisers, or selling some of your produce so you always have the funds needed to make repairs or buy additional tools.

5. Know-how. You need someone in your group who knows how to grow food. Preferably, you’ll want to find someone who knows about organic, bio-intensive agriculture, so you can get the best quality and quantity produce out of your space. There are lots of great books on how to get started (my favorite is The Backyard Homestead) but honestly, the best way to learn is to call up your nearest organic farm and ask if you can volunteer for a day. That’s what I did, and if it’s not the quickest way to learn, it’s definitely the most fun. www.localharvest.org is a great place to find one.

Happy gardening!