Written by: Leslie Kimble, Communications & Marketing Specialist, Heartland Environmental Justice Center

We are celebrating Gifts from the Garden Month this May by taking time to reflect on the benefits that community gardens can bring to a community.

Whether you have a green thumb or not, most will agree there is a feeling of peace that comes with walking through a beautiful, fragrant garden and a feeling of satisfaction when experiencing the flavor of home-grown produce. Community gardens are a great way to provide your neighbors with the experience of gardening while promoting socialization, outdoor activity and learning opportunities.

What are community gardens?

Community gardens can be in urban, suburban, or rural neighborhoods. Unlike a public park maintained by a city government, community gardens are created and maintained by the community members. Typically, plots are divided up in the garden for community members to sign up to use. The individuals or families assigned to each plot buy the seeds and plants, water them, and care for them.

Although community gardens are open to the public to visit and typically donate a portion of their harvest to neighbors and local food banks, it’s important to note that garden visitors are not allowed to pick produce or flowers from other growers’ gardens unless posted.

So, although community gardens can create opportunities to provide healthy options in neighborhoods that are often food scarce, it’s not the most effective solution for solving food desert or food insecurity challenges.

Garden Start-Up Grant

Our partners at the Kansas Rural Center are are showing the social benefits of community gardens in a new project. The center received the Garden Start-Up Grant from Topeka Common Ground for Robinson Middle School, and work is underway to create a community garden on the school grounds.

Students are getting hands-on learning experience on how to start a garden from scratch. They have already begun building three raised garden beds, filling them with appropriate soil, planting and watering potatoes and violas, and more plantings will follow this month during the prime growing season. 

Also, there was an Earth Day/Garden Kick-off event on April 22, which had 50 students volunteer to participate. In addition to tending to their garden, the students learned how to start and plant seedlings. They also watched “Motown to Growtown,” a short film about Detroit’s urban farming movement. An event for all the senses, they were treated to dining on “Three Sister’s Soup,” catered by Native Chef, and quiches made with local eggs, Kansas-sourced wheat, and locally baked bread from The Merc.

Kansas Rural Center is also working with Central Topeka Grocery Oasis on a project to bring a new grocery store to Central Topeka.

Benefits of Community Gardens

Community gardens provide a source of learning, socialization, and outdoor activity. They can beautify previously vacant or unused lots and provide fresh produce options that may not be easily accessible. Studies have shown that community gardens can provide mental and physical health benefits too.

Do you have a community garden in your neighborhood? Are you interested in learning more about creating a community garden? Or maybe your community is facing food insecurity challenges and wondering if more effective solutions are available. Our team of community coordinators can connect you with resources! Contact us to learn more.

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