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Gardens Make it Easy to Move, Grow, Learn, and Share
If you’ve always wanted to grow your own food but just don’t know where or how to start, look for a community garden near you.
Most community gardens will provide clear guidelines on participating, resources on growing, and recommendations to set you up for a successful garden. Many community gardens provide tools and make sure water is set up and easy to use. Thanks to University of Extension Master Gardener programs, there’s always someone to help problem solve.
Gardening provides multiple health benefits by increasing consumption of fresh vegetables, and fruits, as well as full body exercise. Community gardens also provide the social support and shared knowledge you can’t get from gardening alone. Because of this, experienced gardeners are encouraged to participate in their community garden as well. There will be opportunities to share information with each other about successes and challenges. Community gardening also make it easy to find someone to help water your garden plot if you’ll be gone for a few days.
How to participate in a Community Garden
Step 1. Contact local community garden manager during Winter & Spring seasons to reserve a plot in the garden to call your own.
Step 2. Ask about the cost for leasing a plot for you and your family. If you feel you cannot afford the lease, you can ask the garden manager for resources since there may have donations to cover your cost.
Step 3. Determine what kinds of food you’d like to grow. Reach out to the garden manager if they know of any volunteers who may want to help you design your grow plot.
Step 4. If a particular plot is more garden than you want to manage, ask about signing up with a friend or neighbor. Often businesses, service groups, faith groups, and workplace wellness groups are encouraged to give gardening a try.