There are pros and cons to a community garden

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • March 6, 2013
  • 1638
Summary: The decision to create or participate in a community garden should be made after careful consideration. It may be just what you are looking for but it may not. Community gardens can be found all over the nation and in some places; they have been there for decades while others are trying shared gardening space for the first time. Community gardens are not just for metropolitan areas that lack ample land for backyard gardens, they can be in rural areas that have little or no fresh food sources for residents. Often referred to as food deserts, these communities rely on gas stations and convenience stores for food making their choices limited to processed packaged foods with little to no fresh produce. Rural community gardens and those in the city can be more than just a place for families and individuals to grow safe nutritious food. They can be a place for learning and a place where gardeners can grow food for themselves as well as members of the community who are in need. There are benefits to community gardens but there can be drawbacks as well. In a community garden land is shared by a group of people with each gardener getting a designated plot where they can plant what they like. If land is limited this can be a benefit to someone with no other alternatives. Some community gardens have waiting lists and just because you want garden space does not mean it will be available. Some community gardens charge no fees while others charge for space, tools, water and also require a minimum number of hours of volunteer work in order to participate. Be aware of your community garden rules before committing to anything. Many times in a community garden tools are shared. This can reduce the cost of gardening for individuals without tools of their own but it also limit accessibility to tools when the gardener needs them. Community gardens can be a wonderful place for the novice gardener to learn more about growing and maintaining a plot from the more experienced gardener. Children can benefit from a garden as they learn more about where their food comes from. The variety of plants in a garden can introduce new foods to young people as well as older people who have had limited access to fresh produce before. Gardeners who prefer to spend time alone in the garden may not have the opportunity in a shared space where others come and go at their convenience. Community gardens do not always specify what types of pesticides and fertilizers can be used. For gardeners wanting to maintain an organic garden without the use of chemical products this may prove to be impossible if a neighboring gardener uses them. A community garden that is well-maintained and utilized to its fullest potential can turn a blighted part of a neighborhood into a green space that serves the residents of the community. In some cases where the garden is neglected or lacks participation it can become an eyesore. Careful consideration is needed prior to starting a community garden or participating in an existing garden. Because the intention is to better a residential area the input of the community is the most important aspect of deciding if a shared garden space is something that can be an asset to a community. Talking to others who have already taken steps to create a community garden is a great first step. For more information about community gardens contact the American Community Garden Association by email at info@communitygarden.org.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load