Community gardens: How to start one in your neighborhood

by Ann Hayward 01/06/2025

Community gardens can be a great way to increase urban farming and maintain the native species of the area. They’re excellent ways to help maintain fresh food while creating green space for folks to enjoy. These gardens can be started by anyone, though you should ensure everyone participating in the project is legally allowed to garden on the property being used.

Here’s a quick guide to creating a community garden that you and your neighbors can enjoy:

Get the area cleaned up

The most important starting point is getting the space cleaned up. If there are large or industrial bouts of cement or other materials, be sure to have a certified professional help break up and dispose of those pieces before you get started.

For land with only weeds, dead brush and other organic plant matter, an afternoon of yard work should be all it takes to clean up the area. Once cleaned, you can design your community garden with your neighbors.

Create the garden boxes and replace the soil

After cleaning the area and designing your plots, it’s time to build the containers you’re going to plant in. These containers can be floating garden boxes for smaller items such as herbs or small greenery. For deeper planters, try creating boundaries of concrete or wood.

Once you have your planters created and set up, it’s time to replace the soil. Most home improvement and garden stores will have soil with specific nutrients to help your garden thrive.

Plan & plant your garden

With the containers set up, now it’s time to plant your garden. Some plots may be large enough for seed balls, especially if the area is frequented by small creatures or harsh weather. For areas that may not need as much protection, plant seeds evenly and with enough room to start rooting.

Be sure to incorporate some native plants into your community garden to ensure the ecosystem stays intact.

Now you and your community can sit back and watch your garden grow as you all continue to cultivate it together. Anything that isn’t immediately used by neighbors in the community can be donated to local shelters, while the non-edible plants can be used as decoration for your homes and the rest of the neighborhood.

Community Gardening
Gardening
Neighborhood Garden
Sustainable Gardening
About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]