join or start community garden - tools and resources for organizers

8/8/2019 Join or Start Community Garden - Tools and Resources for Organizers

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INCLUDED IN THIS KIT:Do you have a green thumb? Or would you like

to make your thumb a bit greener? Then maybe you

should start or join a community garden. Growing

your own ruits and veggies is a great way to use yourexisting skills or discover new gardening talents

while helping your community.

Tips,

Tools and

Resources or

Organizers

Start or join

a community

garden!

1 Overview

2 The Basic Steps

10 Basic Elements o a Community Garden

11 Sample Guidelines and Rules

15 Troubleshooting

17 Additional Resources

IN CONJUNCTION WITH

Revised 4-19-10


2/18Visit CreateTheGood.org or more opportunities, tools and ideas to help improve your community.

Start or join a community garden

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IN CONJUNCTION WITH AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION AND HandsOn NETWORK

Start or join a community garden!

OVERVIEW

The problem

Communities are struggling to purchase resh and healthy ood or their amilies. Local ood pantries and

other organizations whose mission is to provide ood to those in need are seeing an increase in need and

a decrease in donations. As or us, were always on the go-go-go. When it comes to buying ood, we dont

always pay attention to where it comes rom or how it was grown.

The solution

Start or join a community or school garden! Youll work with your neighbors and community members to grow

nutritious, healthy ruits and veggies that you know came rom a good source. And you can share your bountiul

harvest and newound skills with local community organizations who eed the hungry.

Time commitment

A ew hours to join an existing garden. Numerous days (spread out in manageable chunks) to start a garden.

Special considerations

Starting a new garden can take some time. It wont happen overnight, so be prepared to ollow this project

through i it takes a bit longer than expected. But remember, the end results are worth the wait!

Who can do this?

Anyone who can do moderate physical activity. Also, you should be comortable getting dirty!

Great reasons to do this project:

Itllhelpyouconnectwiththecommunity.

Youcanhelpprovidefreshfoodtothoseinneed.

Yourfamilywillhaveaccesstohealthyandnutritiousfood.

Youllpreservegreenspaceinyourneighborhood.

Youllgetoutdoorsandenjoysomefreshair.




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The Basic Steps

To START a community garden, follow these steps below. If you want to JOIN an existing garden,

skip to the end of this section. Consider starting a garden at your local school. See the Additional

Resources section for ideas on how to start a Teaching Garden with a school in your community.

STARTING A COMMUNITY GARDEN

STEP 1: GET PLANNING!FORM A PLANNING COMMITTEE

Talktoyourfriendsandneighborsandseewhomightbeinterestedinhelpingwiththegarden.

Askthoseinterestedtoformaplanningcommitteewithyou.(Threetovepeopleshouldwork!)

Holdaninitialmeetingwiththeplanningcommittee.Discuss:

What is your purpose?

What are your short and long-term objectives?

Who chooses leaders and how?

Howwilldecisionsbemade?

Howwillworkbeshared?Whodoeswhat?

Who will the garden serve?

Makealistofwhatneedstobedoneanddivideintocommitteesforspecictasks(fundingand

partnerships, construction, communications, etc.).

Scheduleakickoffinviteotherneighbors,family,communityorganizations,gardeningand

horticultural societies.




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SET SOME GROUND RULES

Its important to establish some ground rules or your garden (see Sample Rules in the Resources

sectionbelow).Workwithyourplanningcommitteetowritedowntheanswerstothesequestions:

Arethereconditionsformembership(residence,dues,agreementwithrules)?

Howwillplotsbeassigned(byfamilysize,byresidency,byneed,bygroupe.g.,youth,elderly,etc.)?

Howlargeshouldplotsbe(orshouldtherebeseveralsizesbasedonfamilysizeorotherfactors)?

Howshouldplotsbelaidout?

Doyouwantthegardentobeorganic?

Ifthegroupchargesdues,howwillthemoneybeused?Whatservices,ifany,willbeprovided

to gardeners in return?

Willthegroupdocertainthingscooperatively(suchasturningsoilinthespring,plantingcovercrops

or composting)?

Whensomeoneleavesaplot,howwillthenexttenantbechosen?

Howwillthegroupdealwithpossiblevandalism?

Willtherebeachildrensplot?Ifso,willtheybefreeforparentswhoalreadyhaveaplot?

Willthegardenersmeetregularly?Ifso,howoftenandforwhatpurposes?

Willgardenerssharetools,hosesandothersuchitems?

Howwillminimummaintenance(especiallyweeding)behandledbothinsideplotsandincommon

areas (such as along ences, in fower beds and in sitting areas)?

Willtherebesetrulesthatgardenersareexpectedtouphold?Ifso,howwilltheybeenforced?

Shouldyourgroupincorporateandconsiderbuyingyourgardensite?


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STEP 2: FIGURE OUT FUNDING

Some gardens sel-support through membership dues. Talk with interested members about what they are

willing to contribute.

Also,considerndingasponsorortwo.Churches,schools,privatebusinessesorparksandrecreation

departments are all possible supporters. Ask your sponsor what they would be willing to provide, such as land,

tools, seeds or even money!

You can also raise money or your garden. For example, one garden raised money by selling square inches

at $5 each to hundreds o sponsors.Remember, beore you start collecting unds, you will need to set up a bank account. You should determine

what the money will be used or and who will have access to the account.

STEP 3: CHOOSE A SITE

FIND THE SITE

Picking the right site will take time, so be patient!

Doaninitialscoutandmakealistofpotentialsites,justincaseyourrstchoicedoesntworkout.When

lookingatsites:

Recordtheaddress(orthenearestcrossstreets)Thiswillhelpwithdeterminingownership.

MeasurethesizeYourgardendoesntneedtobehuge,butyouwillwantenoughroomforeach

plot, usually 10 eet by 10 eet.

CheckforsunlightandwaterThegardenshouldgetatleast6fullhoursofsunlightdaily(forvegetables)

and be near a water source.

TestthesoilYoucanassessthenutrientsinthearea,aswellasmakesurethereisnocontamination.




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SECURE THE SITE

Onceyouandyourplanningcommitteedecideontheperfectsite,youllneedto:

Identifytheownerofyourpotentialgardensite(s).

Figureouthowmuchyouarewillingtopayinrent.Hopefully,theownerwillgiveittoyouforlittle

money.Mostcommunitygardengroupsleasesitesfromlandownersfor$1peryear.

Contactyourcountytaxassessorsofcefortheownerscontactinformation.(Dontworry

about whether the land is public or private either could work or a garden.)

Writealettertothelandownerofyourtopsite.

Ask permission to use the property or a community garden. This is a sales job, so turn on the charm!

Intheletter,listthebenetsofagardentothecommunityandemphasizethatgardenerswill

keep the site clean and weed-ree.

I youve secured any sponsors, mention them here.

Follow up with a phone call or stop by the house personally i you dont get a response.

I that owner says no, move down your list to the next option.

Writealeaseonceyouhaveayesfromalandowner.

This sounds intimidating but its not hard!

Try to get a lease or at least three years i the landowner is willing.

Makesuretocheckaboutliability.Considerincludingasimpleholdharmlesswaiverinthelease

and in gardener agreement orms. Or consider getting liability insurance. Work with an agent

who deals with a bunch o the top carriers. That way youll get the best policy or your needs.




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STEP 4: DEVELOP AND PREPARE THE SITE

Once you have your plot secured and ready to go, the real un can begin!

DESIGN THE GARDEN [See Basic Garden Elements in the Resources section for more details]

When designing your garden, a simple grid is the easiest way to start.

Keepinmind:

WalkwaysPeoplewillneedenoughroomtowalkandcarrygardeningtools,botharoundtheedges

and between rows o plots.

DenedplotsFinalizethesizeandnumberofplots.

ChildrensplotsIfyouhavedecidedtoincludechildrensplots,makesuretosetasideaspecic

section o the garden.

FencingYoullneedtodesignandbuildafencearoundthegardenforsecurityandtokeepanimalsout.

StorageareasTherewillneedtobeaplacetokeeptoolsandotherequipment,aswellasacompostarea.

FlowersandshrubbedsPlantingaroundtheperimeterofthegardenwillhelppromotegoodwill

with non-gardening neighbors and municipal authorities.

SET UP THE SITE

Getting your site ready or planting is a big job. So round up lots o volunteers!

Firstthingsrst,spendadaycleaningthesite.Youmayneedtorentheavyequipment,likeabackhoe,

to do a thorough job.

Afterthesiteisclean,itistimetogetbuilding:

Planaworkdaywhenallgardenersinyourgroupcometogethertosetupthesite.

Gatheryourresourcessoil,mulch,fencing,stakes,etc.Trytogetfreematerialsfromyoursponsors

or other sources, like a local landscaping company.




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Organizevolunteersintodifferentworkcrews.Havesometurnsoil,installplotbordersor(ifneeded)

raised beds, install a ence, etc.

Aftereverythingisready,haveallthegardenersmarktheirplots.

Installarainproofbulletinboardforannouncinggardeneventsandmessagestokeepmembers

up-to-date and recruit new gardeners.

STEP 5: PLANT SOMETHING!

Get to work right away!

Holdacelebrationtoapplaudeveryoneshardwork.Remember,communitygardensareallaboutcreating

and strengthening communities. And un events go a long way to keeping everyone engaged and excited!

STEP 6: SHARE THE WEALTH

GardenscanproduceandproduceANDPRODUCE.Individualsmaychoosetodonatefoodandproduce

to neighbors who could use some resh produce. Or your group may have agreed to donate resh ood

to the local ood bank, aith-based organizations or other organizations that provide ood to those in need.

You might also consider holding an educational session where you can teach others in your community

about how to build a community garden and/or how to create their own amily garden.

STEP 7: INSPIRE OTHERS ON CREATETHEGOOD.ORG!

TELL US WHAT YOU DID!

We want to hear stories about how you helped give back to your community. www.CreateTheGood.org/GoGreen

You just might inspire others to do the same.

SHARE FEEDBACK

We are always looking or eedback on our materials, so please let us know how this guide was helpul

or additional inormation you wish we could have included. Share lessons learned and other tips or uture

gardeners. http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/GreenVolunteering




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KEEP UP THE GOOD!

Remember,whetheryouvegotveminutes,vehoursorvedays,youcanmakeapositiveimpactinyour

community. And i you have more time, consider organizing another service activity,ndinglocalopportunities

and posting your events at CreateTheGood.org.

Want to Join a Community Garden?

Thereareapproximately18,000communitygardensthroughouttheUnitedStatesandCanada.Usethe

American Community Garden Associations (ACGA) web link http://acga.localharvest.org/ tondone

near you. The site includes garden details and contact inormation or each site.

You can also become a member o ACGA. Senior memberships start at $15 and provide access to the

groupsMemberDirectory,whereyoucanparticipateindiscussionsonACGAsemaillistserv.Youcannd

membership inormation here

http://www.communitygarden.org/support-us/become-a-member/join-renew.php#categories.




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Resources and Tools

RESOURCES

Basic Elements of a Community Garden

(ProvidedbyUniversityofCaliforniaCooperativeExtension,LosAngelesCounty,DivisionofAgriculture

and Natural Resources)

Althoughthereareexceptionstoeveryrule,communitygardensshouldalmostalwaysinclude:

Atleast15plotsassignedtocommunitymembers.

These should be placed in the sunniest part o the garden.

Withoutplotsforindividualparticipation,itisverydifculttoachievelong-termcommunityinvolvement.

Raised bed plots, which are more expensive, should be no more than our eet wide (to acilitate

access to plants rom the sides without stepping into the bed) and between eight and 12 eet

long (it is advisable to construct your raised beds in sizes that are ound in readily available lumber,

or that can be cut without too much waste).

In-ground plots can be rom 10x10 up to 20x20 eet. Pathways between beds and plots should

be at least three to our eet wide to allow space or wheelbarrows. The soil in both raised beds and

in-ground plots should be amended with aged compost or manure to improve its ertility and

increase its organic matter content.

Asimpleirrigationsystemwithonehosebiborfaucetforeveryfourplots.

Hand-wateringwithahoseisthemostpracticalandaffordableforindividualplots(anditsalmost

a necessity when you start plants rom seeds).

Dripandsoaker-hoseirrigationcanbeusedinallareasofthegardenfortransplantedandestablished

plants, but especially or deep-rooted ruit trees and ornamentals.

I no one in your group is knowledgeable about irrigation, you might need some assistance

in designing your irrigation system. Seek out a landscape contractor, nursery or garden center

proessional to help you develop a basic layout and materials list.




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Aneight-footfencearoundtheperimeterwithadrive-throughgate.

In our experience, this is a key element o success.

Dontcountoneliminatingallactsofvandalismortheft,butfencingwillhelptokeepthese

to tolerably low levels.

A tool shed or other structure or storing tools, supplies and materials.

Recycled metal shipping containers make excellent storage sheds and are almost vandal-proo.

(ContactthePortAuthorityforleadsonwheretondthem.)

Benchorpicnictableswheregardenerscansit,relaxandtakeabreakpreferablyintheshade.

I there are no shade trees on the site, a simple arbor can be constructed rom wood or pipe

and planted with chayote squash, bougainvillea, grapes, kiwis or some other vine.

Asignwiththegardensname,sponsorsandacontactpersonsphonenumberformoreinformation.

I your community is bilingual, include inormation in the second language.

A shared composting area or the community gardeners.

Woodpalletsareeasytocomebyand(whenstoodonend,attachedinaU-shapeandtheinside

covered with galvanized rabbit wire) make excellent compost bins.

TOOLS

Sample Guidelines and Rules

(Provided by American Community Garden Association)

Havingclearguidelinesandrulesiskeytoyourgardenssuccess.Thesecanbeformalorinformal.

Formal Bylaws and Rules

Whendraftingformalbylawsforyourgarden,youshouldinclude:

Fullofcialnameoforganizationandlegaladdress

Organizingmembers,namesandaddresses

The(briefdescriptionofthe)purpose,goalsandphilosophyoftheorganization




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Membershipcategoriesandeligibilityrequirements

Membershipdues,howmuchandwhenpaid

Specifywhenandhowoftenregularorspecialmeetingsofthemembershiparetobeheld,

as well as regular and annual meetings o the board o directors.

Statewhatofcersarenecessary,howtheyarechosen,lengthofterm,theirdutiesandhow

vacanciesarelled.

Organizationaldissolutionprocesses

Statespecialcommittees,theirpurposeandhowtheyoperate.

Establishasystemsothatbylawscanberescindedoramended,maybebyasimplemajority.

Stateanyofcialpoliciesorpractices(e.g.,gardengroupwillavoidtheuseofhazardoussubstances;

groupwillagreetokeepalladjacentsidewalksingoodrepairandfreeoficeandsnowinseason;

group will make all repairs necessary to keep equipment, ences and urniture in good order and repair).

IncludeaHoldHarmlessclause(sample):

We, the undersigned members o the (name) garden group, hereby agree to hold harmless

(name owner) rom and against any damage, loss, liability, claim, demand, suit, cost and

expense directly or indirectly resulting rom, arising out o or in connection with the use o the

(name) garden by the garden group, its successors, assigns, employees, agents and invitees.

Informal Rules

Writedownasimplelistofcommitmentseachmemberneedstoadhereto.Pickandchoosewhatbestts

your groups situation (what type o garden, is it in a park, etc.).

Iwillpayafeeof$_____tohelpcovergardenexpenses.

Iwillhavesomethingplantedinthegardenby(date) and keep it planted all summer long.

IfImustabandonmyplotforanyreason,Iwillnotifythegardenleadership.

Iwillkeepweedsataminimumandmaintaintheareasimmediatelysurroundingmyplot,ifany.

Ifmyplotbecomesunkempt,IunderstandIwillbegivenaone-weeknoticetocleanitup.Atthat

time, it will be reassigned or tilled in.




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Iwillkeeptrashandlitteroutoftheplot,aswellasfromadjacentpathwaysandfences.

Iwillparticipateinthefallcleanupofthegarden.

Iwillplanttallcropswheretheywillnotshadeneighboringplots.

Iwillpickonlymyowncropsunlessgivenpermissionbyanotherplotuser.

Iwillnotusefertilizers,insecticidesorweedrepellentsthatwillinanywayaffectotherplots.

Iagreetovolunteerhourstowardcommunitygardeningefforts(includealistofvolunteertasks

that your garden needs).

Iwillnotbringpetstothegarden.

Iunderstandthatneitherthegardengroupnorownersofthelandareresponsibleformyactions.

I thereore agree to hold harmless the garden group and owners o the land or any liability, damage,

loss or claim that occurs in connection with use o the garden by me or any o my guests.

The primary content o this kit is provided by the American Community Gardening Association. ACGA promotes community gardening to

furtheritsmissionofbuildingcommunitybyincreasingandenhancingcommunitygardeningandgreeningacrosstheUnitedStatesand

Canada.ACGAsroleisextremelylimited;ACGAactsonlyasaclearinghouseforvolunteersandindependentorganizerstondcommunity

gardensandtoproviderelatedinformationandmaterialstopersonsinterestedinstartinggardens.AARPandHandsOnNetworkencourage

peopletondwaystomakeadifferenceintheircommunity.AARP,HandsOnNetworkandACGAarenotresponsiblefortheorganization

oftheseeventsorthechoiceofsite,organizers,volunteersoranyincidentthatmayoccuratanygardeningsite,nordoesAARP,HandsOn

Network or ACGA design, supervise, control or monitor these events in any way.




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Creating an Application Form

The application orm or your community garden doesnt need to be anything ancy.

Applicationformscanincludeanyofthefollowinginformation:

Name(s):_______________________________________________________________

Address,Zip:____________________________________________________________

TelephoneNumber:Days___________________Evenings___________________

SitePreference: 1.______________________

2.______________________

3.______________________

4.______________________

Sizeofplot:_______________________________________________________________

Season:Year-round(mustbemaintainedallyear)

Short season (include dates)

Checktheappropriateitems:

I am a senior citizen.

I am physically disabled.

Thisismyrstyearatthisgarden.

Iwouldlikeagardennexttoafriend,______________________________________.

Ihavegardenedherebeforeandwouldlikeplot#______,ifavailable.

Ihavegardenedbeforeat__________________for____________________.

(name)

(where) (how long)

(list choices available)




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TROUBLESHOOTING

Vandalism

Vandalismisacommonfearamongcommunitygardeners.However,thefeartendstobemuchgreaterthan

theactualincidence.Trytheseprovenmethodstodetervandalism:

Makeasignforthegarden.Letpeopleknowtowhomthegardenbelongsandthatitis

a neighborhood project.

Fencescanbeofalmostanymaterial.Theyserveasmuchtomarkpossessionofapropertyasto

discourage unauthorized entry. Short picket ences or turkey wire will keep out dogs and other animals.

Createashadymeetingareainthegardenandmakeyourpresenceknown.

Inviteeveryoneintheneighborhoodtoparticipatefromtheverybeginning.Personsexcludedfrom

the garden are potential vandals.

Invitetheneighborhoodchildrentolearnhowtogarden.Theycanbethegardensbestprotectors.

Plantraspberries,rosesorotherthornyplantsalongthefenceasabarriertofenceclimbers.

Makefriendswithneighborswhosewindowsoverlookthegarden.Tradethemowersandvegetables

or a protective eye.

Harvestallripefruitandvegetablesonadailybasistodiscourageunauthorizedaccess.

Plantpotatoes,otherrootcropsoralesspopularvegetablesuchaskohlrabialongthesidewalkorfence.

Plantthepurplevarietiesofcauliowerandbeansorthewhiteeggplanttoconfuseavandal.

Plantavandalsgardenattheentrance.Markitwithasign:Ifyoumusttakefood,pleasetakeit

rom here.




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Gardener Drop-Out

Community gardens traditionally have a high turnover rate. People oten sign up or plots and dont ollow

through or go on a vacation and never get back to the garden ater they return. Remember, gardening

is hard work or some people, especially in the heat o summer.

Be sure to have a clause in your gardener agreement that states gardeners oreit their right to their plot

i they dont plant within one month or i they dont maintain it. While gardeners should be given every

opportunity to ollow through, i ater several reminders (either by letter or phone) nothing changes, it is

time or the club to reassign the plot.

It is also advisable that every year the leadership conduct a renewed community outreach campaign by

contacting churches and other groups in the neighborhood to let them know about the garden and that plots

are available.

People Problems and Solutions

Angryneighborsandbadgardenersposeproblemsforacommunitygarden.Usuallythetwoarerelated.

Neighborscomplaintomunicipalgovernmentsaboutmessy,unkemptgardensorrowdybehavior;mostgardens

cant aord poor relations with neighbors, local politicians or potential sponsors. Thereore, choose bylaws

careully so you have procedures to ollow when members ail to keep their plots clean and up to code.

A well-organized garden with strong leadership and committed members can overcome almost any obstacle.


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Additional Resources

American Community Garden Association

http://communitygarden.org

HandsOnNetwork

www.handsonnetwork.org

Los Angeles County Cooperative Extension, Common Ground Garden Program

http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/Common_Ground_Garden_Program/

Start a Teaching Gardenhttp://www.takepart.com/teachinggarden

Plant a Butterfy Garden at a School

http://www.handsonnetwork.org/node/212

10 Steps to Starting a Community Garden

http://communitygarden.org/docs/10stepsstart.pdf

10 Tools Every Gardener Needs

http://communitygarden.org/docs/10tools.pdf

Victory Gardens are Growing Anew

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/personalnance/articles/victory_gardens_are_growing_anew.html

The primary content o this kit is provided by the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA). ACGA promotes community gardening

tofurtheritsmissionofbuildingcommunitybyincreasingandenhancingcommunitygardeningandgreeningacrosstheUnitedStatesand

Canada.ACGAsroleisextremelylimited;ACGAactsonlyasaclearinghouseforvolunteersandindependentorganizerstondcommunity

gardensandtoproviderelatedinformationandmaterialstopersonsinterestedinstartinggardens.AARPandHandsOnNetworkencourage

peopletondwaystomakeadifferenceintheircommunity.AARP,HandsOnNetworkandACGAarenotresponsiblefortheorganization

oftheseeventsorthechoiceofsite,organizers,volunteersoranyincidentthatmayoccuratanygardeningsite,nordoesAARP,HandsOn

Network or ACGA design, supervise, control or monitor these events in any way.

join or start community garden - tools and resources for organizers

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