There is no disputing that fresh fruits and vegetables are much healthier for you than their canned or frozen counterparts. When we were growing up my dad always planted a garden. We were expected to help out with the planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting. We’d spend afternoons giggling and getting grimy in the sunshine. There is nothing like sitting down to a meal that you prepared with vegetables from your own garden. You have the satisfaction that comes from having grown something, not only is it healthier, you save money, and it tastes better. Unfortunately, I lack the time and space for growing anything more than some low maintenance flowers on our back porch. Fortunately, there are other options for people like me.

Farmer’s Markets are a great option for those of us who don’t have the time (or gift of growing). It is a great way to socialize, support your local growers, and stimulate the economy. They usually meet one day a week for a 4 to 5 hour block, check your local papers for times and locations. Most of the time the participants only take cash, however, some will take checks, so you will want to be prepared for this. It might not be a bad idea to bring some reusable shopping bags or baskets with you as well.

For the more adventurous a Food Co-op is an excellent option. Here you usually buy a ‘share’ of a garden from a local grower and pick up your selection of vegetables. While you miss out on the socialization aspect of the market, the other benefits hold true. These are slightly more difficult to find, some advertise in the local paper or you can try Local Harvest, coopdirectory.org, or Google for a list of local groups. Most Co-ops require a contract, payments schedules vary from group to group. Growers usually have a list of the items they will be growing for the season and you will get a selection of everything harvested for the week. While this can complicate advanced menu planning, it can be a great adventure and lead you to trying new flavors and expanding your pallet.

If you are fortunate enough to have the time but lack space, a small indoor garden, like the one made by AeroGarden, or patio garden is an option. However, if you prefer a more traditional garden then Community Gardens are great choices. Like homeowners’ associations there are rules about maintaining your plot and bylaws vary from group to group. The nice thing about a Community Garden is that you are in control of what you plant, thus what you bring to your table. The key is to choose a location near your home or work; otherwise it becomes complicated to find time to tend your garden. Local schools, churches, national parks or recreational departments, and even some office buildings in major cities will provide garden spaces. These are some websites that can help you locate one near you: http://communitygarden.org/ http://www.localharvest.org/ http://commgardens.meetup.com/.

If you cannot find a Community Garden near you, you can always start one or just encourage your local school or church to start one. After finding a location and starting a committee with friends or neighbors, start digging! Here is a list of items to consider when discussing your bylaws that will help eliminate any unnecessary complications:

1. The Garden. Decide what charge for a plot and how (flat rate, monthly fee, requiring x many community service hours on central plot).

• Are there conditions for membership (residence, dues, agreement with rules)?
• How will plots be assigned (by family size, by residency, by need, by group– i.e., youth, elderly, etc.)?
• How large should plots be (or should there be several sizes based on family size or other factors?
• How should plots be laid out?
• If the group charges dues, how will the money be used? What services, if any, will be provided to gardeners in return?
• Will the group do certain things cooperatively (such as turning in soil in the spring, planting cover crops, or composting)?
• When someone leaves a plot, how will the next tenant be chosen?
• How will the group deal with possible vandalism?
• Will there be a children’s plot?
• Will the gardeners meet regularly? If so, how often and for what purposes?
• Will gardeners share tools, hoses, and other such items?
• How will minimum maintenance (especially weeding) be handled both inside plots and in common areas (such as along fences, in flower beds, and in sitting areas)?
• Will there be a set of written rules which gardeners are expected to uphold? If so, how will they be enforced?
• Should your group incorporate and consider eventually owning your garden site?

2.The contract. Some may be more relevant to vegetable gardens than to community flower gardens or parks. Pick and choose what best fits your situation.

• I will pay a fee of $___ to help cover garden expenses.
• I will have something planted in the garden by (date) and keep it planted all summer long.
• If I must abandon my plot for any reason, I will notify the garden leadership.
• I will keep weeds at a minimum and maintain the areas immediately surrounding my plot if any.
• If my plot becomes unkempt, I understand I will be given 1 week’s notice to clean it up. At that time, it will be re-assigned or tilled in.
• I will keep trash and litter out of the plot, as well as from adjacent pathways and fences.
• I will participate in the fall cleanup of the garden.
• I will plant tall crops where they will not shade neighboring plots.
• I will pick only my own crops unless given permission by another plot user.
• I will not use fertilizers, insecticides or weed repellents that will in any way affect other plots.
• I agree to volunteer hours toward community gardening efforts.(include a list of volunteer tasks which your garden needs).
• I will not bring pets to the garden.
• I understand that neither the garden group nor owners of the land are responsible for my actions. I THEREFORE AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS THE GARDEN GROUP AND OWNERS OF THE LAND FOR ANY LIABILITY, DAMAGE, LOSS OR CLAIM THAT OCCURS IN CONNECTION WITH USE OF THE GARDEN BY ME OR ANY OF MY GUESTS.

3. Vandalism is a common fear among community gardeners. However, the fear tends to be much greater than the actual incidence. Try these proven methods to deter vandalism:

• Make a sign for the garden. Let people know to whom the garden belongs and that it is a neighborhood project.
• Fences can be of almost any material. They serve as much to mark possession of a property as to prevent entry, since nothing short of razor-wire and land mines will keep a determined vandal from getting in. Short picket fences or turkey wire will keep out dogs and honest people.
• Create a shady meeting area in the garden and spend time there.
• Invite everyone in the neighborhood to participate from the very beginning. Persons excluded from the garden are potential vandals.
• Involve the neighborhood children in learning gardens. They can be the garden’s best protectors. (see below.)
• Plant raspberries, roses or other thorny plants along the fence as a barrier to fence climbers.
• Make friends with neighbors whose windows overlook the garden. Trade them flowers and vegetables for a protective eye.
• Harvest all ripe fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. Red tomatoes falling from the vines invite trouble.
• Plant potatoes, other root crops or a less popular vegetable such as kohlrabi along the side walk or fence.
• Plant the purple varieties of cauliflower and beans or the white eggplant to confuse a vandal.
• Plant a “vandal’s garden” at the entrance. Mark it with a sign: “If you must take food, please take it from here.