Why Start a Community Garden?
Many families living in the city would like to grow some of their own fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
Some want to save money on their food bills. Others like the freshness, flavor and wholesomeness of homegrown
produce. And for many, gardening is a relaxing way to exercise and enjoy being out-of-doors. There are
also families from other cultures who would like to grow traditional foods not available in the supermarket.
Community gardens beautify neighborhoods and help bring neighbors closer together. They have been
proven as tools to reduce neighborhood crime--particularly when vacant, blighted lots are targeted for garden
development. Community gardens provide safe, recreational green space in urban areas with little or no park
land, and can contribute greatly to keeping urban air clean.
Those who are lucky enough to have sunny backyards or balconies can plant a garden whenever they have
the time and energy. But what about those who do not have a place to garden? For these people, community
gardens may be the answer.
How to Start a Community Garden on a Vacant Lot
A vacant lot can be an asset instead of an eyesore.
Many people move to the suburbs because there is lots of open space for children to play, for people to plant gardens of flowers and vegetables and enjoy a healthy, beautiful environment as well as improved property values.
Here is a brief outline of what is involved when people are trying to decide how to improve a piece of land for open space.
Step 1. Organize
Organize a meeting with people who can or should care about a garden. Help them to understand what work is involved in starting and caring for a garden and start right away to work to gain their commitment to the project.
Step 2. Decide on the Garden Goals
A. Should it be a park for active recreation like a playlot or basketball court? Do neighbors prefer a sitting garden, a vegetable garden? Raised beds or plantings directly in the ground, if possible? Individually maintained plots or cooperatively managed garden? If there is a great need for parking, consider how to include plantings into a parking lot design. Does this seem like a spot for permanent open space or just a temporary beautification until something is built there?
B. Does the group want to own or lease the land to insure that it is protected as the desired open space? Ownership (or tenancy) is necessary in order to secure funding for improvements, which can be another goal..
C. Does the group want to seek funding and donations to work on the property? And are they willing to assume the long term responsibility for planting, maintenance and even potential liability for the site?
Step 3. Survey the Site
A. Is this the right place for a garden or other kind of development?
B. Does it have sun, access to water from a hydrant or neighboring building. Are the nearest neighbors interested? Will they help?
C. How is the site currently used? (a shortcut, sports, etc.) Will this project build on that current use, or interfere with that use. Which use does the group want to incorporate in the garden design?
Step 4. Research and Gather the Resources
Determine what resources are needed and available in and out of the community:
A. Create a list of items needed for the garden based on the design (ideas below) that includes tools, supplies, materials and services like tilling if necessary, fencing, water lines, lumber for beds and signs. Come up with a budget for these things and then see what you can get donated or funded. Survey your neighbors - you will be surprised what they can provide!
B. Seek cooperation from community groups and other organizations in the area.
C. Call the Alderman, Ward Office, Park Advisory Groups, Park Superintendents, business groups, schools. See what they can offer in terms of labor, money, materials.
D. Plant and gardening information and funding sources:
http://www.communitygarden.org/...
Step 5. Design the Garden
A. Draw a diagram of where each element should be
B. Research the kinds of plants and trees that do well in the city with low maintenance and add to diagram
C. Consider structures like benches, arbors, tables and art work like statues and murals
D. Be sure to include a compost area to collect plant refuse and to create your own garden fertilizer.
Step 6. Plan the Work to get the Project Started
Create a list of tasks and a schedule or time line and work out a system so that garden volunteers can do a share of the work. Look ahead a few years and think about how to phase in planting and building projects. Don't try to do everything the first year, but start with the "skeleton" of lot clearing, bed and soil installing, and a few plants in year one and build up from there. Be prepared to at least:
WINTER- Plan and hold several meetings to plan garden and assign work (TIME: one or two meetings a month)
SPRING - Clean, prepare soil or build and fill beds, spread mulch, purchase seeds and plants, plant and water. (TIME: several long work days and then at least once-a-week care to water, weed. Time depends on size of lot and number of volunteers!)
SUMMER - Weeding and watering as necessary, general plant maintenance such as "deadheading", fertilizing, mulching and composting (TIME: at least two times a week for two hour shifts)
FALL - harvest, remove plants and add to compost pile, fertilize, plan winter meetings, update garden journal and garden diagram to help when planning for next spring. (TIME: two or three times and week in two hour sessions
One or two hours of volunteer work a week can accomplish a lot of planting and weeding and of course harvesting at the end of the summer and fun all season long!
Step 7. Dig In!
A. If an abandoned building is still on the property, work with the Alderman and the ward superintendent to make sure that what is good about the site is protected, such as the lawn, parkway and back yard and any plantings like trees and shrubs. Make sure that demolition is followed by clearing rubble, spreading top soil and mulch from the Bureau of Forestry.
B. If the lot is empty, and needs clearing, ask for the ward office's help to do this. Organize neighbors to work along side the crews to make sure care is taken.
Step 8. Plan for children
Consider creating a special garden just for kids--including them is essential. Children are not as interested in the
size of the harvest but rather in the process of gardening. A separate area set aside for them allows them to
explore the garden at their own speed.
Step 9. Determine rules and put them in writing
The gardeners themselves devise the best ground rules. We are more willing to comply with rules that we have
had a hand in creating. Ground rules help gardeners to know what is expected of them. Think of it as a code of
behavior. Some examples of issues that are best dealt with by agreed upon rules are: dues, how will the money
be used? . How are plots assigned? Will gardeners share tools, meet regularly, handle basic maintenance?
Step 10. Help members keep in touch with each other
Good communication ensures a strong community garden with active participation by all. Some ways to do this
are: form a telephone tree, create an email list; install a rainproof bulletin board in the garden; have regular
celebrations. Community gardens are all about creating and strengthening communities.