Hi Susan et all; As one who had a similar interest in gardening and starting a community garden, I share both your enthusiasm and concern. From someone who is still learning after seven years of running a community garden, here are a few suggestions:
* Definitely try to get other interested parties involved in the startup or you will be overwhelmed. Put out notices through the media and any method you have to attract people who might be interested in starting a garden. Perhaps, a local garden centre or educational facility or garden club might turn up interested people. A community garden is supposed to be a COMMUNITY and that means more than one person should be responsible for keeping it running smoothly. Our garden is still trying to achieve this but in reality, there are four or five dedicated souls who carry the project. I live in fear that they will tire or fall ill or stop wanting to be involved in this project. We have one person who acts as a manager, who knows all the gardeners and is the focus of their concerns and problems, which she then discusses with the rest of us. We have a dedicated(but bossy) chap who looks after the water system, which breaks down occasionally. He also does most of the mowing of the common grass areas and repairs whatever needs to be done. Another gardener looks after registration and assigning plots(we have 100 plots 25 ax 4 ft), and another is the bag lady or treasurer. Another arranges social events, like an annual bbq at the gardens. I act as the contact with the city and community needs. *Have an organizational meeting to come up with the size of the garden(s), testing of the viability of the land, water access, security concerns(including wildlife), fees that should be charged, etc. You can find out from this list serve examples of typical rules/bylaws for gardens or I can send you ours if you want. It's great if you can establish a good working relationship with your local government. EG, here in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, our land was "loaned" by the city Parks and Rec dept., water and lights are covered by the city, and they kicked in the $10,000 needed for deer fencing. They also provide soil if we request it and a rental portapotty for the summer season. Supporting a project like this makes them look good and our gardens have even become a tourist attraction for all the cruise ship passengers in the summer months. *Once you've got the basics in place, put out the word and the gardeners will come. But may I stress again that you should try to make them understand that if they don't participate in the jobs that have to be done: weeding, composting, etc. then they cannot be part of the garden. And having said that, I will admit that we are still trying to achieve this! Finally, this is a wonderful thing you are trying to do so persist, and seek help and moral support from this list serve. Some of these people are amazing and I'd love to visit all their gardens. Cheers, Jude in snow-bound New Brunswick
