- The first thing you should do is talk to your neighbors and set up a meeting where you can communicate the benefits of carrying out a community garden and in case they join, be able to establish priorities of tasks and objectives.
- Once you have the people, the next step will be to evaluate where the garden will be located. To take into account, it is not necessary that the land be huge, in general enough land is required for each plot, which are usually ten feet by ten feet (3 meters x 3 meters).
- It is important that the land has enough sunlight and water. Ideally, there should be 6 hours of direct sun per day (for vegetables).
- Analyze the soil to check its quality. If necessary, seek advice from people who have already developed an organic garden, it is important to determine that there is no contamination in the land.
GARDEN DESIGN
Keep in mind the organization, with order and clarity to have a garden with good results.
- Design corridors because the people who cultivate will need space to walk without damaging the crops.
- Decide how many plots will be created and how big each one will be according to what is going to be cultivated.
- Fencing is important to protect the work area.
- They must have a storage place to store tools and other items.
- Area destined to make organic fertilizer.
- Plant flowers and shrubs to make the garden a pleasant and green place, and invite other neighbors to join the initiative.
BENEFITS OF A COMMUNITY GARDEN
- Better quality fruits and vegetables, they will have fresh pesticide-free and highly nutritious food.
- Low cost, as it will be cheaper to grow than to buy in a store or supermarket.
- Community integration, because it is an invitation for the neighbors of the neighborhood to share an activity together, and that in the case of elderly people they have an activity that motivates them to leave their homes and spend time outdoors sharing pleasant moments with their neighbors.
- Gardens clean the air and also reduce environmental pollution.
- Crime reduction. In fact, this can be seen thanks to a community in North Philadelphia that radically changed its neighborhood thanks to Las Parcelas Community Garden and Kitchen. While they continue to have security concerns, people are taking greater care of their properties and transforming their neighborhood.
- Connection with people who share the same neighborhood. It happens that the ties between neighbors over the years have been lost. A community garden allows to unite the members of a neighborhood and strengthen ties with those people who often share more than with the family itself.