10 Tips for Your First Community Garden Experience

Community gardens are a wonderful experience and have become more popular in the past few years. I myself have jumped into the mix and want to share some things I have learned.

Ask questions and read carefully

There are different kinds of plots available when participating in a community garden. Some community gardens have in ground planting, others raised beds and still others may have both. Consider the organization that is providing the plot. The providers can be anyone from local city government divisions, to non-profits/charities or businesses. Some questions to ask are:

• Are plots available all year or for a certain number of seasons.

• Is plot renewal a thing? What is the process to renew the plot for the next growing season. Do I get first choice?

• If I am unable to come to the garden for an amount of time, will there be consequences?

• Is this a child or pet friendly place?

• Are tools, help and guidance provided?

• What type of soil does the plot have? OR Are the raised beds refreshed, fertilized or treated every year?

Visit the site before signing up to get a good look

Are there trees close-by that can host an evil gang of squirrels? Is there a fence to deter wildlife and people? Is there a bathroom on site? How remote is the area? Is it accessible for any physical needs you may have? Going to the site in advance is a great motivator but can also give you a realistic idea of what you'll be getting yourself into.

Ask yourself: can you go the distance?

How far the garden is from your residence is very important. A 20 minute drive may not seem like much but when life gets hectic and your attention gets drawn away, will you be able to make the most out of your plot? The plot I used was a 35 to 45 minute drive and it was hard to keep up plant maintenance when my schedule began to fill up. Also, gas prices are high now, don't forget to factor that into the overall cost of your plot.

The Cost (may be more than you think)

Some gardens charge a fee, others do not. The fee could be for the season or for the size of the plot. That information should be on their website/handout. Depending upon the amount of tools you already own, you may need to buy more depending on the soil type and the conditions of the bed. Some extra expenses can be:

• Extra tools: This can include hand tools, electric/gas powered tools, netting, fencing and more.

• Tool rentals: Instead of buying new tools for a season, some people rent from their local hardware store. Sometimes it can be worth it and other times, not so much.

• Soil amendments: Heavy feeding crops and seasons of continuous use can weaken soil if care hasn't been taken to replenish what has been used.

• Extra soil: Unless you were given a heads-up, you have no idea what was grown the year before. Certain vegetables like potatoes, for example, are suggested to be rotated because of their heavy feeding habits and to prevent certain soil diseases. Extra soil can add back some 'freshness' to the plot to tip the odds in your favor.

• Natural pesticides: Read the rules carefully since not all plots allow pesticides of any kind.

• Row covers and mulch: In my case, unused plots in the garden were left to grow wild, meaning there were plenty of weeds to infect tilled areas.

• Gas: Gas isn't only for your car but for any tools that use it.

• Crop failures: You may have to buy replacement plants if its too late in the season to start again from seed.

Take some time and draw up a quick budget. It doesn't have to be detailed. It can be as simple as listing the amount of money you refuse to go over and making rough estimates of expenses.

Check the weather before you go

It seems so simple, I know, but it can be VERY important. Knowing the weather can help you plan your watering schedule. Or it can give you a heads up on if you need to cover crops with shade-cloth in the dog days of summer. OR it can save you from having to huddle inside of your car during near torrential rain in the middle of nowhere, like what happened to me.

Also, make sure to dress for the weather forecasted. No matter what the weather is, always pack some water, a few snack bars, a first aid kit and basic medication for any weather related accidents or incidents.

On the first day, expect to prepare the garden bed...and possibly not much else

This is dependent on whether your plot is in-ground or raised as well as its overall size. Depending on how long you've planned to stay, you may not even get started with planting the plants/seeds. On my first day I thought everything would be perfectly tilled under and maybe there would be some stray weeds I could pull out by hand. Nothing major to handle. I figured I could just jump right in. No, no. In my case, my plot was over-run with weeds!

Set Strict(ish) Work Hours and Manage Your Expectations

We’ve all been there. You start a new project and you’re wide-eyed, full of energy and ready to go! You think you can go the distance except, an hour in you are exhausted. Bending, lifting, moving, digging: it takes a lot of energy. Set a goal for the day and be realistic about how long it will actually take. Planting 5 plants may not seem like a lot but if you have to: dig the holes, amend the soil, lay down mulch/cover and water them in, that can take more time than you think. Also, take into consideration your physical abilities and endurance, especially if you’re using hand tools only.

Bigger isn't always better

If posed with the question, which size plot you prefer: 10ftx10ft or 20ftx20ft greedy people like myself would opt for the larger size. After-all you can grow more food! Well, yes but that's a lot of weeding, management and maintenance. Even if you pace yourself and are well organized, it can be a lot for one person or even two people.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Not all of us have friends or family that share our interest in gardening but if you get in a bit of a bind they may be willing to help you out. In Virginia we have extension agents that you can contact for plant and pest help. If an issue pops up that you hadn't foreseen, keeping the number of the Community Garden's office can help. If they don't have the answer they may be able to point you to a resource that does.

Embrace the community

Of course, you should always be safe when interacting with new people. It doesn't take much to interact and establish a link with others. Even an occasional wave or smile to the other people in the community can potentially reap benefits later. As mentioned above, don't be afraid to ask for help. Not only could you find a solution to your problem but that can be an interesting conversation starter!

BONUS

Wireless Headphones

I would suggest these for even at home usage. They are great! You can keep your phone or device at a decent distance while you work. Just make sure the fit is snug enough not to slip out when you bend over.

Hopefully these 10 things have given you some food for thought or even have sparked your interest in pursuing a community garden slot. Community gardens are a wonderful way to introduce more physical activity, social interactions and wholesome foods into your life and into the lives of the ones you love.