Community Garden - A site used for growing plants for food, herbs, and flowers, which is shared and maintained by nearby residents.

        This definition of a community garden is just the beginning - there is so much more to it! Community gardens are build by and for people who love to garden but don’t have the right conditions (those who live in cities, or in an apartment in the suburbs, a condo or a townhouse, have a small or shady backyard, or too many rabbits who share the crops). Local volunteers often develop community gardens, and most are run by management committees of dedicated volunteers, some in partnerships with local authorities. There is no typical community garden as each develops according to the local area and in response to the needs of the local community. The gardens are where people of all ages and from all sections of the community come together.  Each gardener gets a plot for the growing season (for a minimal fee) on which they can grow anything they want, favorite vegetables, flowers, hard to find herbs etc.  In an article about gardens in NY City, a retiree from Harlem said he grows cotton on his plot, just to remind him of his childhood on a cotton farm in Alabama. 

        In many gardens immigrants grow vegetables and herbs they used in their home countries and can’t find in the local supermarkets. Many gardeners practice organic methods to obtain healthier (and more delicious) crops.  Some gardens have a common area with fruit trees or shrubs that are enjoyed by all.  Tools and supplies can be private or shared, stored by individuals or in a common shed. In short – a community garden can take many different forms, depending on the people who participate.  For interesting information check out The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) web site

http://www.communitygarden.org/ .

        There are community gardens all over the country, many close to home in NJ, too many to list here or provide web site links.  Interested?  Let us know if you would like to take part in community garden in East Brunswick. 

        Many thanks to Liti Haramaty and Nirit Yadin who helped with information for this article.