Fun Ideas & Planning Resources for Community Gardens
Community Gardens grow so much more than food - they help neighborhoods and cities blossom, they nourish fruitful partnerships and help feed hungry tummies (and minds)! Dig in to these 8 unique ideas for your Community Garden this season:
1. Online Volunteer Scheduling: Use free online sign-ups with reminders to coordinate all your community garden helpers and CSA volunteers. Quick, intuitive scheduling tools make it easy for Garden organizers to recruit help; and 24/7 access from a computer or smartphone get more people involved and signing up. Plus, automated reminders and eCalendar syncing keep everyone on track! Get started today.
2. Garden Event Days: Integrate creative programming efforts into your Community Garden initiative this season! Whether it's a Family Fun Day at the garden where kids and parents get to help plant and water, or simply a Harvest event where community members can come help pick ripe fruits and veggies – it’ll be an event for everyone to enjoy!
3. Vertical Gardening: Short on space but long on plants? Try vertical gardening to add flourish and flare to your garden without plotting out another tract. Tomato and gourd plants do well in a vertical environment with the proper structure and care. Check out The Gardening Cook for ideas.
4. Rock Garden Signs: Add color and pizzazz to the variety of plants in your Community Garden by designating each with it's own painted rock detailing what type of plant or food it is. Encourage family volunteers and children to take part in this project - check out this great example from Lu Bird Baby.
5. Custom Flower Pots: Put more life into gardening by creating your own custom-made flowerpots. Lead a short art class before your attendees get started on planting. From different shapes to artwork, there are tons of ways to make your flowerpot your own. Here are some ideas to offer you some inspiration from Let the Children Play.
6. Garden Sanctuary: There’s no better way to create the perfect community space than to allow the actual community to contribute. Conjure up your perfect community garden for everyone to enjoy by calling members to help out. From stone walkways to custom flowerpots, your neighborhood will have the perfect spot! Check out The Inspired Room for tips.
7. Spread the Word: Trying to recruit garden helpers? Looking for plant donations? Connect with local organizations, restaurants and individuals in the community who could help boost your garden's productivity. Share your social handles for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with your current Garden group - and follow other groups and community leaders on theirs. Socialize your Garden events, post sign-up links on Twitter and Facebook.
8. Plant a Row for the Hungry: Add a special row of nutrient-rich veggies and fruits to your garden that is specifically designated for donating to a local homeless shelter or food bank. Coordinate volunteers to pick and deliver these goodies 2 or 3 times a month, and know where to take the special deliveries.
Also see:
Tips & Ideas for a Community Clean-Up Day
VolunteerSpotlight | CSA Assistant Coordinator, B'nai Jeshurun Hazorim CSA, New York
