Top 5 Reasons to Start a Community Garden
Do you live in a community that has a lot of vacant property? If so, you may want to consider starting a community garden. Based on my experience, there are five fabulous reasons to start one. Here they are:
Potentially Inexpensive
Believe it or not, starting a community garden may be fairly inexpensive. That’s because there are various grants available that will cover all or part of the initial set-up costs. Information about such grants is traditionally posted on the Kid’s Gardening, United States Department of Agriculture and America in Bloom websites.
Fresh Foods
Another benefit of starting a community garden is that it allows individuals with no farmable areas of their own to have access to fresh foods. In addition, organizations like local homeless shelters could use the garden to help provide food for those in need. You could even allow local restaurants to join in. That way, they could practice local, farm-to-table initiatives that would benefit all involved.
Sense of Community
The gardens also provide a sense of community. I know that from personal experience. Years ago, my late grandfather participated in one. I remember what a thrill it was to go with him to the garden every weekend. I found it to be an excellent place to talk, get to know and work alongside other people in my neighborhood. Because of that experience, I was also able to learn a lot from people of all ages and backgrounds at an early age.
Enhances Neighborhood
Speaking of neighborhoods, the gardens have a way of enhancing them as well. Not only do they give the locals a place to gather, they also improve the appearance of the area. An improved appearance could also lead to other, far reaching benefits.
Think about it. What’s more attractive to potential home buyers, an abandoned space or a gorgeous garden? Personally, I am guessing that those buyers are going to prefer seeing neighbors working together to produce fresh foods rather than stare at a bunch of empty lots.
Provides Exercise
Lastly, community gardens also provide people with an opportunity to burn some calories. Of course the amount of calories that you’ll burn while tending to your crops will vary. If you are interested, the Web MD website contains detailed information about how you can develop a great routine. It also contains mention of additional health benefits that may result from participating in such activities.
Source: Personal Experience
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