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How to start a community garden

Starting a community garden might seem like a big job and in some ways it probably is.


But it’s potentially easier, and definitely quicker, than having an allotment. The average wait time in the UK for one is over 3 years, and they can be a lot of work for someone on their own.


All you need to start a community garden is a bit of land, a bit of money, and a group of people willing to help.


We’ve actually started one in the Dales and this is how we’ve done it.


  • Step one: Find a generous person, or in our case persons, who have a bit of land they aren’t doing a lot with and ask them if they would be up for letting you turn it into a community garden. You could also potentially approach the local council or local companies that may have land that’s not being used.

  • Step two: Seek out funding. We have managed to get some grant funding from our local council to buy tools, compost and storage. There are lots of grants that will fund this kind of thing, and if you want any help finding them, get in touch. You could also approach local businesses for support.

  • Step three: Make a plan. Decide what you’re going to grow, how you’re going to grow it and who has responsibility for what. For us, that looks like a group of 10-15 “Wildish Gardeners” who share the main responsibilities for the garden, with one head gardener making the big calls. Jobs are split amongst the gardeners and when a Wildish Gardener is in the garden it is open for anyone locally to get involved. We will also be doing open garden days for groups from near and far to come and get involved.

  • Step four: Enjoy the fruits of your labour. We think communities that grow together should eat together, so whenever we harvest we have a little feast.


So it's not the hardest thing in the world. But it might be one of the best things you ever do.



 
 
 

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