Community Garden
Would you like to have a community garden in your neighborhood?
We are considering placing a community garden in our neighborhood. Does anyone out there have experience in this area? Are there good points and bad points?
I have lots of experience in a community garden. It uses space that was a former haven to discarded drug users syringes etc, and the local district fenced it, with locking gates, with members only access – though the public are allowed in when members are around. Look around for spaces that are neglected, and that your local authorities would relish being transformed. Ensure that you can afford running water, as well as electricity supplies, as these will be needed.
There are pros and cons, and typically it can involve people planting things that shade neighbors too much, or public space left to go to weeds etc.
People squabble over all kinds of things, in life generally, and this can be magnified when people are gardening in close proximity. Some screening of new members is advisable, as well as allowing space for all kinds of growers, whether ornamental or for food production.
Post notices looking for interested people in the nearby area, and form a committee of people to spread the work-load of getting it set-up. Charge membership fees, as this will ensure that those who are more likely to stay the course will want a plot.
Community Garden
Build a Compost Bin for your Home or Community Gardens in 2 hours that is effective and low budget. Plans included!
I moved into my new historic area home this past year and began enjoying the camaraderie at our community garden. The ineffective compost bin quickly caught my attention. Consulting our members I was encouraged to improve the composting effort. I enthusiastically volunteered, welcoming the opportunity to experiment by asking myself how do I build a compost bin.
Criteria for an effective compost bin would have to include, low construction cost, ease of maintenance, adequate capacity to accept the organic materials from the community garden and perhaps expansive enough to invite our members to begin composting (selective) kitchen scraps and organic materials from their yards. Concerns about rodents, odor and insects that could impact the neighborhood were important considerations.
Another key point, our coastal NC soils are very sandy, water and nutrients flush through quickly requiring frequent watering and regular use of fertilizer. On site composting is essential to improving the long term vitality of this soil in addition to increasing the quality and yield of our crops.
Before starting plans for a sturdy compost bin built from used shipping pallets was drawn up. A good compost bin needs a minimum volume of about one cubic yard to develop correct mass, making shipping pallet size ideal. Our local food cooperative had an abundance of (untreated) wooden pallets that would be ours for the asking.
Three bin construction was chosen, allowing bin #1 to be filled and left to convert organic materials to compost while the third bin is filled with new materials. The second bin will be used to turn materials from the first or third bin accelerating the composting process. This method is expected to give us a finished batch of compost every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season.
This construction plan works very well with a single bin composter if that meets your needs better! Plans follow using my preferred sturdy construction material list. An optional lower cost method would replace steel corner braces, instead, securely fastening each corner with bailing wire at the top and bottom. A double 2×4 driven 2′ into the ground at the open end of the compost bins ads stability. To close the front of your compost bin one more pallet per opening is needed, lash it closed with rope.
Triple bin Construction:
* Construction required about 2 hours for two of us.
* Assuming each pallet size to be approximately 40 X 48, Level a rectangular area the size of the compost bin footprint (approximately 13′ X 4′)
* Secure one end of the compost bin to the first back section. Long pallet side for increased bin length and depth, short side for height. ‘Floored’ side in.
* Secure the end on the other side creating a U shaped section. Continue this process to complete the second and third compost bins.
* Finish off the inner 2 pallets (the bottom of the pallet) with slats from an extra pallet (if desired) for better air flow.
Triple bin materials: (Total cost about $55)
* 8 wooden shipping pallets (optional 3 more to close front) FREE for picking them up
* 12 – 1X6 corner braces $3.25 ea$39.
* 50 – 2″ wood screws 2 per angle side $4.50
* 8 – 2X4 If extra stability is desired $1.80 ea $14.40
* Nails 2 ½ ” galvanized 1 lb. $4.50
Tools Hammer; power drill; rake; shovel; level; post hole digger
In summary building an effective compost bin for a home or community garden can be done quickly and inexpensively. Before starting consider how composting will be included in your gardening activities. Estimate the volume of organic materials you will convert to compost, choose a suitable sunny location. Finally, determine your budget and the amount of time you can invest in completing your composting project. What starts out right ends up right. Try building a compost bin for yourself and find how integral composting is to increased gardening enjoyment.
About the Author
Bob Swanson, a master gardener is active with local arboretum and community garden projects.
Answer the question how do I build a compost bin easily and inexpensively. See photos and construction drawings of these plans in ‘articles’ at compost bins only.
Learn more about composting activities and products for your home or community garden on a web site dedicated to composting relevant products and information at Compost Bins Only.
Any tips on starting a community vegetable garden?
I live in an subdivision that has quite a bit of extra property. I’m thinking this might be a good time for our little community to come together and plant a vegetable garden.
Does anyone have any experience in starting something like this? What about the shady neighbors (yes, there are some) who like to take things that don’t belong to them?
I’ve never personally done something like that but I would imagine there wouldn’t really be any way to police rude people taking that which they haven’t helped with.
It does sound like a good idea and a nice way to bring you and your neighbors together.
Perhaps start from seeds.. Obviously there will be money spent on starting something like this but at least seeds are cheaper than plants.. in case people do end up stealing it would be as bad? I’m not sure just trying to think of something =)
MOBY – An Inner City Community Garden Project