Ten Things to Do to Start a Community Garden

Arlington, Virginia: For information on starting a garden in residential blocks go to Community Green.

1.Gather like-minded people and organize into a group. When the plot is located and you are ready to begin, apportion and delegate tasks. For tips on organizing a garden community, writing a compact for the group, formulating rules, allocating plots and so on, download the “Community Garden Start-Up Guide” from the University of California Davis, website, which features advice and tips on creating flexible contracts. Go to Grow friend for more advice on starting up.

2Locate suitable land with access to water and electricity. You’ll need fencing to keep out four-legged marauders. Vacant lots, schoolyards, retirement homes and churchyards are potential sites. Get permission from property owners.

3Plan and design your garden carefully. It should have full sun for a minimum of six to eight hours a day. Consider how much land will be needed to give each family ample space for its own plot. Go to the American Community Garden Association to learn more. When laying out plots be sure to leave enough space for paths for walking and trundling wheelbarrows or carts. Remember: many gardens can be grown in less than six months; typically a garden calendar runs from May, after last frost when soil has dried out from spring rains, through October, or first killing frost. Click here to find out your climate by state.

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