Community gardening is one of the most useful additions you can make to your neighborhood. It is beneficial in terms of its effect on the environment, as well as fighting food insecurity.
It’s important for more neighborhoods to start utilizing such gardens as a key source of produce. This will allow you to move away from large grocery chains, spending less on produce while knowing that your food is grown locally in a sustainable way.
What Are Community Gardens?
Community gardens are the gardens run by the neighborhood in which they are based. The plot is often publicly owned, and necessary expenses are shared amongst those who participate. The work itself is also divided, based on the abilities of the owners.
These gardens usually don’t turn a profit, but the produce itself is a valuable reward. Any profits that are made are usually put towards maintaining and improving the garden. However, if your garden yields more produce than can be used, the leftover profits could be shared as well.
Fresh Produce
The main benefit of having a community garden is a steady supply of fresh, local produce. This cuts down on your need to rely upon large produce providers, and the prices that come along with transportation of goods.
Choosing which produce to grow in a community garden can depend on a variety of factors. First of all, you should only grow produce that will thrive in your area’s climate, without using too many chemicals and herbicides. Secondly, you may choose to grow produce that is most commonly used, or would otherwise be too expensive if purchased in a store.
A Chance to Work
There are not many chances to work outdoors, particularly in an urban environment. Instead, the days are often spent in offices or other closed, cramped spaces. A community garden offers the chance to get out and work the soil with your own two hands.
The benefits of this aren’t only noticeable in terms of physical health, but in terms of mental well-being.
The benefits of this aren’t only noticeable in terms of physical health but also in terms of mental well-being. This is especially useful for those who work long hours at high-stress jobs.
Improving The Soil
The soil used for a community garden could later be used by someone else, possibly for the same purpose of growing food. Your goal should be to leave the soil for them in at least the same condition you found it, if not a bit better. This is accomplished by ensuring you use the soil in a responsible and sustainable way. Guidelines are mostly about the use of cover plants, and rotating your crops throughout the year.
Economic Opportunities
Having a community garden in your area presents a number of economic opportunities for the neighborhood. This is most noticeable if your garden can turn a profit, but it can be a great source of opportunity even if no salaries are to be paid. It gifts those who tend it with the sense of responsibility: something all future employers will want to see.
Secondly, the garden requires equipment and supplies, and if these items are acquired locally, you’ll be helping your area simply by running the garden.
Property Value
In the end, a neighborhood garden affects everyone beyond the mere purchase of food. It can positively affect the value of the property overall, as access to the property means access to fresh and healthy produce. A community garden is also a sign of an active social community: people willing to work together to make their neighborhood a better place. All of this means buyers of nearby properties will be more likely to invest in the area.
Conclusion
Setting up a community garden is one of the best things you could do for your neighborhood. It’s a practice beneficial to the community at large, as well as the land itself.