Real world Why grow food in town?
Community gardens give people without gardens a place to grow fresh food. During both World Wars, governments encouraged people to plant "victory gardens" in yards, parks and empty lots, and millions did. Today community gardens provide food, exercise, outdoor learning and a way to meet neighbors.
Gardens also help nature: flowers feed bees and butterflies, compost improves soil, and plants soak up rain.
Real world How a community garden works
- Members rent or share small plots and agree on rules.
- Raised beds make gardening easier for people who cannot kneel, and help where city soil is poor or polluted.
- Shared tools, water tanks and compost bins are looked after together.
- Many gardens donate extra food to food banks.
Real world Testing city soil
Soil in cities can contain lead or other pollution from old paint, traffic or industry. Gardeners test the soil and often use raised beds filled with clean soil, especially for growing vegetables.
Art In this artwork
This illustration shows raised beds full of vegetables and flowers, with paths and a small shed.
Look closer
- Find the raised beds. Why might they be raised?
- What different plants can you spot?
Think about it
- Who should decide how shared land is used?
- What would you grow if you had a plot?
- How could a community garden welcome people who have never gardened?
Key words
- Raised bed
- A garden bed built up above the ground.
- Compost
- Rotted plant waste that feeds the soil.
- Plot
- A small piece of land.
Sources
The facts on this page are based on these sources:
- American Community Gardening Association
- US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, "Food Access Research Atlas"
- US Environmental Protection Agency, "Protect Your Family from Sources of Lead"
