How to start a community garden
Community gardens are not only a great way to meet new people and catch up with friends, but getting involved can also keep you physically fit, mentally stimulated and allow you to be a part of something that has been proven to develop and strengthen community spirit. Another big bonus is you will be able to grow your own organic fruit and veg. So whether you’ve downsized and no longer have a garden or you just want to get out there in the community, you won’t know yourself if you get involved in a garden in your local area.
Here’s a quick guide to starting a community garden:
Choose a site
This is possibly one of the most important steps. So, do some research. It could be a good idea to visit some existing community gardens that are working well. Gather information from each garden, noting challenges, strengths and weaknesses. The next step will be to start visiting potential sites for the new garden. Things you may want to check when you’re looking are: is the space exposed or sheltered, how much sunlight does it receive at different times throughout the year, how good the access is for deliveries of bulk materials such as mulch, and if there’s a space for storing and composting materials. Visit www.communitygarden.org.au for more guidance on finding a plot.
Write a plan
Like all new projects, it’s quite easy to get carried away with grand ideas. Writing a plan will really help you to work out what is actually achievable, plus what each person involved with the garden feels will work best for them. It’s important to determine if there is a preference for the style of garden from those who are involved.
Choose soil wisely
As many people like to rely on their community gardens these days for organic produce, selecting the soil is extremely important. But simply growing food organically doesn’t guarantee healthy, nutritious food. It’s a good idea to test soil samples to check the soil pH, using a pH test kit. Samples should also be laboratory-tested to identify nutrient deficiencies. This will affect plant growth, so it’s an important step. The National Measurement Institute can advise on and test for soil contaminants.
Speak to the local council
You definitely want to make your community garden and your activities known to your local council. They often provide free bulk lawn clippings, compost and mulches. Just be sure to find out if these are chemical-free first.
Know the laws
Some states across Australia have laws and regulations in place in regards to growing certain things. For instance, in NSW, Queensland and the Northern Territory, buying and planting bananas is regulated, while in Queensland and NSW, control of citrus gall wasp is mandatory. In any case, you can access this information from your state’s Department of Primary Industries. Every local council maintains a list of scheduled weeds, and they or the DPI can tell you which weeds must be controlled and how to do it.
Be water wise
Living in Australia, most people would be aware of water restrictions. As well as finding out what restrictions are in place where you are, you should look into installing some rain-water catchments too. In Australia the rate of evaporation generally exceeds our average rainfall. Compost-rich soil and mulching are essential for extending the benefits of rainfall, especially when growing food.
Get in the spirit
While community gardens are great for those who actively get involved, it’s nice to consider those around you, too. For instance, your garden might be close by to a number of homes and those people may not be involved in the garden. Increase the sense of community and belonging be extending the invitation to all around. You may want to do this by directly asking them or holding events where you invite the wider community to see the work of the garden. As a result of community gardens, petty crime is often reduced. Also, well-presented community gardens can increase local property prices.