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How to Start a Community Garden
Step 1: Form a Planning Committee
- Gather 9-12 people who are interested in and commited to starting a community garden. Look for individuals who are good organizers and enjoy being involved in their communities.
- You can find people through door knocking, speaking with your friends, giving presentations to community groups, and putting up posters.
- Create a dream for your garden. Dream big, but start small and build on your successes.
- Begin choosing potential sites for your garden
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In the beginning it may seem easier if only one or two people do the major planning. However, it is better for the project to involve as many people as possible at the onset. These early stages of development are an important tool to engage the community, for people to get to know each other, to discover each other's strengths, likes and dislikes.
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Step 2: Choosing a Site
a. Location
Where to look
· empty parcels of land within the neighborhood
· businesses with large lots
· institutions: schools, hospital, nursing home, senior’s residence
· nearby farm, greenhouse
A good site will be
· visible
· safe
· centrally located
· full sun
· good access by foot, car, bus
· has the support of the neighbours
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b. Water
· Easy access
· a neighbor provides water
· filling barrels on a weekly basis
· clay pot and drip irrigation
· Utilize water conservation techniques by:
- Improve soil structure
- mulch,
- plant mini-climates using biointensive garden techniques
c. Sunlight
A vegetable garden needs a minimum 7 hours a day of sunlight. Optimum exposure to direct sunlight is at least 11 hours, more if possible. Some cool crops may do alright on 4 hours.
Shade is nice for a sitting area, but shade can always be created using tarps, trellis and lean-to’s.
d. Soil quality
The soil is the most important component of your garden. Healthy living soil will make all the difference. Focus the groups’ efforts to increasing the organic matter (compost, manure, mulch), rather than in buying synthetic fertilizers that promise high yields.
Conduct a soil test for nutrient and contaminants on site.
· Get a history of land usage from the landowner.
· Was it used for housing, commercial or heavy industrial, snow storage?
· Advise Soil Lab of particular contaminants you suspect may be present
e. Soil texture
Soil texture determines the soil’s ability to retain water, how it drains, the oxygen content and fertility. The addition of organic matter, in the form of compost can improve any type of soil.
f. Drainage
If the site is unevenly graded, then the low areas will hold water no matter the soil texture.
· Will re-grading the site correct the problem? Possible costs?
Step 3: Working with the Site
a. Find out who owns the land
· Check records at the local municipality’s Land Registrar office
· Is it public? Is it private?
· Public ...
· in Edmonton – the City of Edmonton Community Recreation Coordinator will be able to help you. Contact CGN and we will help you make contact with your CRC.
· Other municipalities ...
· contact the planning department, local councilor, town mayor, town manager
b. Schedule a meeting with the owner to discuss your plans
Bring a concise one page description of the project that includes:
· A definition of your community garden, its mission statement (goals) and purposes (objectives)
· Names of gardening members
· What will be grown
· Maintenance plan
· Sponsoring agencies and organizations that support your project
· Names, addresses and telephone numbers of at your organizing committee
· Attach letters of support
Speak to the neighbours of the potential site, give them a copy of this information, stress your commitment to maintenance and ask for their letters of support.
c. The lease/agreement will define
· Terms of use/site lease
· can vegetables be grown and sold, for example
· Property description and location
· Utilities (water, power)
· Site inspection (before and after pictures)
· Length of lease, termination, modification, and renewal process
· Rental fees
· Option to purchase
· Maintenance
· Insurance
· Hold harmless clause
· Nondiscrimination clause
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Take ‘before and after’ photos of site.
d. Build a relationship with your landlord
· report monthly
· invite to social activities
· recognize landlord publicly through media, display sign
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