Victory gardens in public spaces brought the country together during the food insecurity of World War II, and they can do the same thing today.
Be a Joiner
The easiest way to get started is to join an existing community garden. But be aware that many popular garden spots fill up in early spring, and some uber-popular locations have a waiting list. In that case, you’ve got two options: Search out another garden slightly further away from home or start your own. Another reason to start your own is if there are no convenient community gardens in your neighborhood at all.While gardens typically have a membership fee or annual dues to cover the basic costs of running things, this charge is typically kept as low as possible to keep the garden as accessible as possible. Fees may be reduced for seniors or low-income participants, or sometimes waived entirely for those unable to afford them. Some gardens have mandatory hours that gardeners must work in order to do their share of the general maintenance, while some gardens have a more casual attitude toward one’s personal schedule, as long as the work gets done. As with the convenience of the garden’s location, the cost and size of plot you will get as well as your time commitment are all serious considerations before joining a particular community.
Starting From Scratch
The first thing you need for a community garden is a community. Get the word out to determine if there’s sufficient interest in a garden. If there is, form a planning group of three to five people; don’t take on this project all by yourself. If possible, invite church and other community leaders to the meetings. Decide what you want to grow and whether it will be a plot garden (more popular) or a cooperative garden.The Paperwork
Develop bylaws that state how decisions are made and how leaders are selected, the objective, and the scope of the garden. (Is it a plot garden with shared community area for large crops? How will the produce be divided if it’s a cooperative garden?) Other things that should be covered include the size of each plot, whether it’s an organic garden or chemical fertilizers are allowed, how work will be shared, whether gardeners meet regularly, whether training sessions will be offered, and how the next gardener will be chosen if someone leaves a plot.Create an essentials budget and a wish list. You’ll need labor, land, money to pay water bills, building materials for planter beds (if applicable), fencing, soil, soil amendments, tools, seeds, plants, and other supplies.
You can raise the necessary funds through membership fees, local business sponsors, car washes, and other fundraisers (depending on the make-up of your participants), or grants from the USDA Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program or the EPA Environmental Education Grants. Some seed companies, including Asgrow Seed and America the Beautiful Fund, have been known to provide seed donations to community or school garden projects.
Note: Don’t forget insurance, as most landowners will require proof of liability insurance. If you partner with an organization, they may be able to provide lower-cost insurance or cover the garden under their policy.
The Fun Stuff
Fruits and vegetables require six to eight hours a day of sunlight, and you need access to water. If water isn’t already available, you may need to contact your local utility to have a hook-up and meter installed. See if they’ll do it for free; it doesn’t hurt to ask. Choose a location that’s convenient for the participants.Check out empty lots, as their owners may be willing to lease them for a small fee or in exchange for maintaining the property and some veggies. Churches, civic associations, and municipalities may have land you can borrow. The ideal property should be a large open area with nothing on it, not even pavement, but if you’re willing to build some raised beds, you can turn any site into a bounteous garden.