Hi there,
I just got semi-involved in a new community garden that is in Brownes Addition, at a local church. The church is donating the space and the sprinkler system (I believe this is what the pastor said).
The pastor there and I have been in contact and he could use all the advice he could get, as far as organizing this. One part of the garden will go directly to a food bank, and the other side will go to those involved in the garden.
What we are wondering is how to organize this so that it works out fairly to those involved. Should it be rows to certain people? Should different people do different veggies, but all share? We don't really know how this works and would like it to go smoothly so that it is enjoyed by everyone.
Any tips or advice? Oh - he would also like to know what kind of sprinkler system would be best. Soakers? Sprays? Spokane is normally hot and dry in the summer and early fall.
Karrie
New Community Garden - Spokane, WA
Karrie, there are as many ways to do a community garden as there are communities.
Most of the ones I've been involved in have defined space allotments that individuals rent for an annual or quarterly fee, along with volunterring a certain number of hours towards maintaining the common areas.
Here are some links with ideas for organizing community gardens that may help you determine how you want to set yours up.
http://communitygarden.org/
http://www.communitygarden.org.au/start/making.html
http://www.openlands.org/urbangreening.asp?pgid=108
http://www.utahgrows.org/howtobuild.html
Our community garden is sectioned into plots. The city tills the ground in the spring, and put in a water pipe for hoses. Since it is on city property, there is no charge for a plot, but if you don't keep it properly, you can be bumped. Make a provision for that - someone who lets their plot go to weeds goes to the bottom of the list for next year (barring illness or something, but the other's usually pitch in if that happens.) I love to drive by in the morning to see the seniors out working in the garden before the heat of the day hits. Good luck! I'm so glad that part of the garden will go to the food pantry. Here is my article about planting for the needy: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/352/
This plot is on church property and was donated by the church for this purpose.
Community gardens require people, plants, knowledge and support. Starting a community garden should be fun! Good resources are people with gardening experience (to participate or to teach others...Master Gardeners are great). Check out your local extension agent to see if they can assist or your parks department. I have been involved in a church garden in New York since 1984. We grow flowers to beautify a court yard area where members can congregate for coffee hour, events, birthday parties, etc. In addition, community groups can use the space and a nursery school rents the space for their program during the week (thus providing a source of income). The garden can also produce food for local soup kitchens, homeless shelters, etc. One of the first things we did was start a compost area. We even event members to bring their compostables (fruit peels, raw vegetable, leaves) to church to put into the compost. We have composted over two tons of food "waste" since the garden started.
The American Communtiy Gardening Association, www.communitygarden.org and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden(www.bbg.org) are great resources. Also, there are books and how to books, including a new one on community gardening from Brooklyn Botanic Garden..
Good luck, If you want to contact me for more info, please do so. Ellen
