Some smaller cities and towns may not even have the funding necessary to develop such a valuable community resource. For this reason, community sharing gardens have gained popularity. Learning more about sharing garden ideas and creating these spaces successfully can play a major role in their formation.
What is a Sharing Garden?
Determining what is a sharing garden and what it is not varies from one situation to another. Generally, community sharing gardens are those that provide fresh produce for anyone in need. Rather than maintaining individual plots, members of the garden volunteer their time to tend one large growing area. This strategy makes the garden easier to manage, more productive, and minimizes the need for extensive maintenance. Foods produced from the garden are shared among members and/or others outside of the organization. Donated produce is frequently given to local food banks and other groups that help with food distribution among non-growers. Other sharing garden ideas relate directly to the sharing of land. These types of community sharing gardens connect people with access to growing space for those wishing to garden or grow food. Through mutual agreement and cooperation, crops are produced and shared among the participants. Info on garden sharing can be found in a variety of ways, including newly introduced growing websites and apps.
Community Sharing Garden Benefits
Community gardens that share foster a real win-win scenario for all parties involved. Growers who are passionate about working the soil can feel confident knowing that their skills have made a difference, as their produce nourishes those living in their own neighborhoods. With properly established guidelines and boundaries, these types of gardens can create strong feelings of connectedness and respect among all participants. Through collaboration and hard work, sharing a garden with others leaves one feeling content and fulfilled.
