How to Start a 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

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.

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

b. Water

Easy access
A neighbor provides water
Filling barrels on a weekly basis
Clay pot and drip irrigation

Utilize water conservation techniques by:

Improving soil structure
Mulching
Planting mini-climates using biointensive garden techniques

Water Needs Calculation Worksheet
(Excel file, courtesy S. Johnson, Terwillegar)

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

Take 'before and after' photos of the site.

d. Build a relationship with your landlord

report monthly
invite to social activities
recognize landlord publicly through media, display sign