Building a community garden/farm

Hello there everyone

if you had the opportunity (let's forget obstacles) how would you picture it

re: design, how it is run, where is it, what would you have there, how and to whom would you assign duties

any vision idea appreciated

I wouldn't even know where to start

You HAVE to think about obstacles...eventually.

We have our own garden, but helped to create a small community garden here where we live.

Ideally, you'll be able to use raised beds to cut down on prep work each year. You might need donations of soil, compost and seed. It will be VERY proactive for you to put together a starter pack for your community gardeners to help them make decisions about what to plant, how to plant, when to plant. This will greatly increase the happiness of your gardeners, and the gardens output.

If your garden beds are small, it's nice to have info for gardeners related to square foot gardening.

If you're looking for donations from gardeners, you'll probably need to provide some extra benefits. Volunteers here put on hour or so long weekend seminars at the gardens like: worm composting; straw bale gardening; seed saving; foraging, etc.

You'll also need to chose a spot where the sun/shade ratio is ideal.

It's a lot of work, but it's really rewarding.

Also, make it colourful, and fun to be at. Each gardener will need adequate space. Maybe paint a mural, or paint the garden boxes with themes.

When it comes to crops like potatoes, peas, and other crops that don't like to be in the same spot every year, it's nice to have one large in ground bed for these where the crops can be divided between users. It saves space, headaches, and ensures the health of the individual garden beds.

a reply to: Atsbhct

Thank you so much I couldn't ask for a better first entry starting point .. I hope members can build on that a share ideas further

my first question would be about watering ( let's say we are in humid subtropical climate)

a reply to: peasprout

Hopefully its a small community. We used to have those around here in urban sprawlpolis. They eventually closed them down, too much thieving occurred. The girl I knew got her vegetables pilfered all the time by those that couldn't grow a green thumb or outsiders that hopped the fence and stole.

So sad too, they were beautiful.

a reply to: intrptr

Thank you so much for entry

My next question then would be how would you protect it and regulate it

a reply to: peasprout

Depending on what kind of garden you end up with, you'll either need to stress to gardeners their responsibilities; or you will need to take some responsibilities.

I believe individual responsibility is key to the success of a community garden. If only one or a few people are watering, things can get over/under watered easily.

If you're in an urban environment, you will likely need a fence, and a key can be given to each member. Theft can be a big problem. Are you in a city where a rooftop can be rented? Or a protected lot? These are options (rooftops can be a challenge, but are doable) that may negate theft.

What is your vision for your community garden?

a reply to: Atsbhct

my vision : that the ideas shared in this thread will shape it

I think I take responsibility for rain water tanks and painting the mural so I get back to that in here and work on it

a reply to: peasprout

When the thieving first began everyone thought it was rodents. When people got caught they built a fence, put in a gate with a lock. People hopped the fence, or had a key because they were members, too.

Eventually they kicked some people out and put up barbed wire. By then it lost its appeal, people stopped participating. The cool thing was people without space to grow were happy to have a little plot to grow their own vegetables, they learned from each other and traded produce. As long as everyone's honest it works.

But the few vermin can ruin it for everyone.

a reply to: Atsbhct

And of course the most important one : maintaing it

thank you I will expand on all mentioned

a reply to: peasprout

You need to research on YT channels: "praxxus55712" and "mhpgardner"...etc.

Praxxus is the raised bed guru and mhp is great for hydrponics if you go that route.

Mhp is a Trump supporter too.

a reply to: peasprout

What makes you want to have one? If you're not sure of your vision, I would suggest you join a community garden to see how things work, and how things go wrong.

Do you have really congenial leadership skills? You will need them as well.

a reply to: intrptr

We need pest traps and identifier of pests

I wait no rush

I want it to thrive are the pests real or from a different world (keep it coming everyone please ) this can be fun and honest

a reply to: Granite

Lols so now it is also an illegal alien garden

Has its health benefits

Ok my next question

How would people get there, are the bathrooms transgender and does it provide food can you serve alcohol ? would you be willing to help to maintain it if yes/no why

I get back to it

a reply to: peasprout

Are you just trolling us?

a reply to: Atsbhct

No definitely not I promise the point is it doesn't have to be a chore like you said make it fun

I wouldn't allow troops in my thread it represents me so I wouldn't want bad reputation


see (lol that too troops and trolls)

originally posted by: peasprout
Ok my next question

How would people get there, are the bathrooms transgender and does it provide food can you serve alcohol ? would you be willing to help to maintain it if yes/no why

I get back to it

People get there...usually on their own. A community garden plot is a commitment, ideally you give plots to those close by in the community who don't have space to garden at home.

I've never seen a community garden with a bathroom.

Everyone HAS to help maintain the garden. It's part of the community garden philosophy.

Can you serve food/alcohol?? ...do you want to serve food? Why? How? Where are you? Local licensing officials will be able to inform you about this.

Also feel free to link anything (pictures, threads etc, your gardens I am interested in my topic)

Edit: This is how I decided to go on about it (serious and personal)

a reply to: peasprout

I think you'll need to do some serious, in person research.

Great example of having a community it answers questions given you just have to look for it. I take it as a purpose of being on the forums otherwise what is the point being here

Yes community gardens have bathrooms ( I hope everyone believes me I change moods that doesn't mean I am not serious )

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