Tips for Harvesting Benefits of Community Garden Membership

What makes a community garden? The community. The garden’s biggest resource is humans. When people don’t feel involved, they are less likely to participate in what the garden has to offer.

So how can you get the most out of your community garden membership?

Tend to Meetings

Go to the orientations, meetings or member activities that are available. This will help you become more knowledgeable about how to tend your plot and will also introduce you to your community.

Cultivate Relationships

Volunteer as often as possible. Join committees; participate in activities. This gives a strong sense of belonging. A common purpose helps members to truly become part of the garden family.

Sow Skills

Make and share a list of strengths that you can bring to the garden. Are you skilled at handiwork, education, technical skills, even knitting? It doesn’t have to be about gardening. Really, anything that you can teach, share or help others with can create a sense of learning that will build “family ties.”

Reap Rewards

My favorite thing about being a part of a community garden is the empowerment.

There is an incredible sense of accomplishment in growing something and eating what you harvest, especially when you have a whole community behind you, encouraging, supporting and teaching.