Community Garden Magazine Issue Five January 2016 | Page 24

Choose a Site
Across the country, community gardens are becoming an anchor for neighborhood revitalization. Community gardens
range in purpose from increasing access to fresh, healthy food in rural towns to providing safe green spaces where
youth can play in urban cities. What type of community garden will your neighborhood be planting? Knowing this
information will narrow your search for a site. If growing food, find a location that receives at least six hours of direct
sunlight per day with easy access to water. Check if the land you would be growing on has proper drainage. Once
you identify an ideal site, find out who owns the land. Contact the landowner and discuss next steps which may
include obtaining permission through written agreement or lease and getting liability insurance.

Garden Healthy
Before you start planting, it is important to research the history and past uses of your chosen site. Once the past uses
have been determined, take samples of the soil and have them analyzed to find out soil type and quality. EPA
has step-by-step guidelines on how to do this. Consult with your state environmental agency, local health department,
or county’s Cooperative Extension office to learn how to take a soil sample and to determine what kinds of samples
you should take. The quality of the soil can have an effect on the design of your garden.

Design Your Garden
Every community garden is different based on its specific size, location, and mission. Design your garden to fit the
needs of the community it serves. Consider factors such as age-appropriate design, accessibility, protection from
animals or vandalism, storage of tools, and space to gather. Incorporate sustainable gardening techniques such as:
using native plants, composting, mulching, applying an integrated pest management approach, creating a habitat for
wildlife, using water wisely or installing a rain barrel. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine which
plants will thrive in your part of the country.

Get Growing
Start gardening and implementing your community garden program. Once the project is up and running, let everyone
know! Gain greater community support by welcoming visitors and sharing updates on how the neighborhood is
benefiting from the garden’s existence. Over time, revisit the plan and make any needed changes based on lessons
learned or feedback from partners and neighbors. Remember to plan ahead so that the garden will continue to grow
for seasons to come.
Information provided courtesy of USDA’s People’s Garden Initiative. For more gardening resources
visit www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden.

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