Since I have just torn up my whole yard to hopefully get rid of the bamboo- I was thinking I should plant a garden instead. Unfortunately where the yard is torn up- is very shady and not a great planting ground for a garden.
A few of us at our HOA association would love to take some of the ‘greenbelt’ area and make a community garden. That is not going to happen with our current board members, but if you love to garden or want to learn to garden, grow your own food you might consider joining a community garden.
Community Gardens promote 1.) healthy eating 2.) food security 3.) sustainable and effective use of space 4.) community togetherness 5.) recreational opportunities 6.) community education.
Find a Community Garden
- Urban GardenShare Matches homeowners to gardeners. If you have a patch of brown and you want a gardener- sign up for this great service.
Local State Community Garden Resources
- CT Community Gardening– Connecticut
- Berkeley Community Garden– (CA) committed to organic agriculture access and healthy food for all residents of Berkeley
- Growing Gardens (Colorado) – manages 7 community gardens in Boulder and Louisville
- Atlanta Community Food Bank (GA)
- Gardening the Community in Springfield Mass- is a youth centered agriculture program in which organic fruites and vegetables are grown on abandoned lots.
- Oasis NYC– Online resources about urban Gardens, with all sorts of organizations in NY
- Vermont Community Garden Network-
- DC Urban Gardeners offers “resources and networking for a greener Washington D.C.
To Grow Your Own
- Urban Garden Casual – Cool tips for gardening in small spaces
- The Local Tree Experts
Hello Cathy,
I have lived in a mobilehome park for over 20 years. We are currently in litigation with the City of San Diego, which has led to many owners vacating lots. This city does not play fair. Back in mid 2005, a “victory” garden was started in the vacant lot across from my residence. It would have been nice if these two people had canvased the neighborhood and our HOA to vote yeah or nay on the inception of this garden. The problem is the water waste is so egregious. They have installed underground irrigation, they water continuously throughout the day, constructing beds and beds of flowers. Some vegetables are grown, but the water is constant. There have been no water meters in these 4 lots across from me. After calling the Water Authority at 619-515-3500 and Marlene Muse at 619-533-5291 many, many times stating I have cut my water consumption in half since 2005, who is actually paying for the water used for this garden? Marlene Muse tells me that we, the residents are absorbing the cost of this garden and have paid for it since 2005. My water is usually around $25.00 per month (mostly because I work a 10 hour day) and curtail washing clothes to twice a month, instead of each week. My sewer costs are where the hidden fee of the water waste is going. My sewer costs me $50.00 per month. I am not even here most of the time. The city is crying for us to cut back. Now, they’ve imposed this water rationing and the garden’s water waste goes on and on without any help from the city’s water people. No one in city government wants to address this at all. Please help if you can.
Here is what I would do- Call the San Diego Reader and have them do a story on this. They love Expose’s of inept management. If the city/County/HOA is not handling this, get the press involved. I actually am thinking of doing this with my HOA in Encinitas and the constant overwatering of plants, driveways, streets, sidewalks and more. The rec board does not listen and they think I am ‘silly’ with all this ‘green stuff” yet our HOA dues keep going up due to mismanagement! Good luck to you
Thanks for the post! Community gardening sure brings in togetherness and it helps to share knowledge and ideas. Gardening is a fun activity and acts as a therapy for the mind and body. http://j.mp/oAaOV has some water-wise gardening tips that will help especially in Southern California.
Hello Cathy…….
While reviewing this post i come to know about good knowledge and aspect of the community garden.The knowledge shared by the posts sounds good and in future i will also join a community garden.