Garden Plots and Area Layout

In a community garden, priority is placed on the garden plots. Choose the best area (soil, light, drainage) for the plots. The poorer or secondary areas can be used for non-growing functions such as picnic, sitting and children's play areas.

Size

The size of each plot is really dependent on the size of the overall site, and the interest and abilities of the gardeners. Consider offering different sizes.

10' x 20' (or 200 sq.ft.) is a good sized plot for growing an adequate supply of summer vegetables. (Biointensive gardening may even allow for growing a little extra, perhaps for the winter or for sharing with others.)
5' x 20' is a good size for “new-to-gardening” folks, or for gardeners with little time.

Plots can be rectangles, circles, curved, and integrated with the overall site plan to create visual interest.

If possible, orient plots on a north-south axis to provide maximum exposure to the sun and minimizes shading problems.
Encourage gardeners to plant with regard to their neighbors. Throughout the planning session, a review should check for possible challenges. Tall plants may create shading problems for neighboring gardeners. Perhaps, a communal plot for the tall, and sprawling plants (like squash) may help to resolve this issue.

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

Paths

Paths must be well-defined.
Main traffic areas should have 4' paths allowing for hoses, wheelbarrows and exuberant children to move around.
Minimum 30” paths between gardeners' plots allows for wheelbarrows. Growing plants will overhang the paths in the summer, so although this space seems excessive in spring, it will quickly shrink during the summer.
Mulch pathways to allow for access in wetter times.
Optional: define the paths with an edging of wood or stone.

Neighbouring landscape

(if your site is in the middle of an open field)

What beautification improvements or maintenance routines can be done to encourage gardeners to want to be on site and to demonstrate to the community how a community garden will beautify the neighborhood?
Is chemical spray drift from neighboring fields a possible issue?

Communal Areas

Observe crop rotation guidelines in communal areas. Change the location of your crops each year to deter pest and disease problems.
Reach a consensus to what will not be planted. For example, identify noxious weeds as determined by your district agriculturist. In the County of Parkland, Tansy is considered a noxious weed, and to grow it as an ornamental in this region is unlawful.
Perennial plantings: Your group may resolve no plantings will be left to over-winter in the individual plots. Therefore, a designated area may have to be created for perennial plants such as herbs, and soft fruits crops.
Tall plants and space loving plants: Tall plants such as corn and sunflower may cause shading in neighboring garden plots. Sprawling crops such as squash and cucumber can easily over run areas.

Children's Garden Plots

Base the plot size on the length of the child's reach.

It should be no wider than twice the length of the child's reach, providing the plot is accessible from both sides.
Edge the plot with bricks or stones to define the child's plot boundaries. This will create a sense of ownership for the child.
Using boards, stepping stones, grass, or bark; define the path so that is very clear where it is okay to walk.
In a central location within the children's garden, locate a water station. This area will have 5 gallon pails for water. Each child will fill a small watering can or pail to water his/her garden patch. This reduces the risk of damage by dragging hoses, overuse of water, excess spillage in pathways, etc.

Children's Play Area

A children's play area can make the family's garden experience more enjoyable for all.

Locate it near the children's garden plot area.
Provide direct access.
Have a grassed area, fenced, and some basic playground apparatus. Ideally, this area would be a safe place for children to play, while allowing for their parents to tend to the garden.

Information Signs

Inform your neighbours and community about the garden: what you are doing and why.
Invite them to participate.
Explain who the gardens are for and how they may participate (as a volunteer, gardener, sponsor).
Acknowledge your sponsors.

Individual Signage

Encourage children to put up a sign on their garden plot.
Signage at families/individual plots will encourage pride and ownership. It may also reinforce regular maintenance of individual plots if their family name is displayed alongside.
General signage such as: Children's Gardens, Herb Garden, etc. inform passers-by, and can be an educational tool. Labeling the herbs in the herb garden will help your gardeners to identify plants and perhaps encourage cooking with them.
'Grow a Row' signage or a sign reading “If you need vegetables, please join our community garden. If you need food today, then please pick from this plot only.”