As we approach the end of National Nutrition Month, let's finally focus on this year's theme, Feeding the Future. Eating sustainably is a delicious way to nourish yourself and protect the environment at every stage of life.
One approach to improving our physical (and mental) health is to participate in community gardening initiatives.
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The weather is improving, spring is in the air and Mother Earth asks us to use her resources sustainably for our health and that of the world.
Seven Benefits of Community Gardens
Community gardening is ideal for neighborhoods. It has benefits for individuals and the community as a whole. Here is a list of the top 7 benefits of community gardening.
- Countryside
- Provide fresh produce
- Promoting a healthy lifestyle
- clean the environment
- Building stronger communities
- learning opportunities
- Reduce stress and increase well-being
For a more detailed explanation of the seven benefits, visit lagardencouncil.org.
Types of community gardens
The proposed classification of community garden types is as follows.
- Country gardens (divided into separate plots)
- Cooperative (teamwork in a large garden)
- gardens of youth
- Commercial gardens (sale of products)
- medicinal gardens
The purpose of today's column is to provide basic information (focusing primarily on the first three types of community gardens) and potentially important resources for those interested in getting involved in a community garden (or having one). , if space is available is available ). .
Here are three examples of garden projects. Please note that many community organizations are looking for volunteers, so consider supporting them if you can. You help others while gaining knowledge through experiential learning.
Southwood Community Park
Southwood Park is an example of a community garden that uses individual plots in a community garden.
This downtown garden has 34 4' x 8' lots and was started over 10 years ago as a fundraiser. The land is leased to Sustainable Tallahassee through individual payments to interested community members.
The last day of work to get the yard ready for spring was updating the plots that needed help, including replacing the wood on the individual plots.
Additional information is available for interested residents at southwoodcommunitygarden@gmail.com.
Located 11 minutes east of Tallahassee, this volunteer garden helps harvest thousands of pounds of produce for the second harvest each growing season. Potato was planted in February for the May harvest, corn, cucumber, zucchini and squash should be planted by the end of March. Visit lottscommunitygardens.com.
Damayan is a 501(c)(3) organization established in 1992 to increase food security for low-income families. They work with community organizations and universities to plant gardens and conduct educational activities. In addition to finding materials such as soil, compost, plants and seeds, Damayan offers budding gardeners practical guides to improve and share their knowledge. Visit damayangarden.org.
One of their long-term projects is Frenchtown Park, where they have worked with the community to grow food for over a decade.
Many community gardens use raised beds. The IFAS/Lon County Extension Office is hosting an educational workshop on building raised beds on April 4 as part of the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance Workshops. Registration is possible at https://www.redhillsfarmalliance.com/public-workshops
The plots are already available in the FAMU Community Garden. For more information, contact Trevor Hilton at the IFAS/Leon County office at 850-606-5240.
The recent UN climate report, Climate Change 2023: A Synthesis Report, is an important reminder of the unsustainable state of our planet's damaging climate change and the real consequences of inaction. A small step towards a sustainable garden is not without benefits for us and for the planet. Consider this decision and get more involved through awareness and action for a more sustainable planet. Small steps can really add up.
More information
The City of Tallahassee can help citizens develop community gardens. Access information, including a request and a water supply request (if applicable) is available at talgov.com.
For more information about the Leon County Community Garden Initiative, which also lists some local garden resources, visit cms.leoncountyfl.gov.
Information about services offered by the Leon County Master Gardener program, including applying to become a master gardener, is available at sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu.
Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D., has been a registered dietitian/nutritionist for over 30 years. He can be contacted at marqos69@hotmail.com.
