Community gardening has existed for as long as people have been cultivating food. In many early societies, individual survival depended on the survival of the group, tribe, community, family or other collective. Today most people do not have that experience of a community connection to food production and consumption. Participation in a community garden may re-create a sense of social connection through growing food.

Understanding motivations for joining a community garden can help garden organizers retain members and keep them invested in the project and in their community. Some people just want space to garden and they may not want to be involved in day-to-day collective decisions. Others want to participate in an activity with like-minded individuals and feel that they have contributed to their community. They might enjoy models that incentivize or even require group participation in maintenance and decision making.

Traditional models of community gardening often distribute space to individuals to maintain and cultivate as they desire as long as the gardener abides by community rules. These models might have garden members create and sign an agreement to keep individual decisions aligned with the greater good of the community, such as clearing the plot of weeds or prohibiting the use of pesticides that could impact a nearby plot. Often these community gardens have clearly delineated spaces, which might be referred to as plots, allotments or beds, that gardeners can apply for or rent.

Nontraditional models are often used in gardens where therapy, education, rehabilitation or social interaction are the main focus over the actual act of gardening, or where there might be paid staff who can maintain the garden. These gardens might include school gardens, hospital gardens, prison gardens, gardens at community centers or gardens managed by other nonprofit organizations.

Hybrid models can be very effective and might allow garden-centric and community-centric goals to be met. Gardens can feature individual plots and have communal areas where people collaborate. Educational programming allows traditional community gardens to do more for the good of the community and provides opportunities for social interaction and edification. There is no “best” model of community gardening. Instead, we must evaluate these models based on the community’s goals.

Successful gardens will use models that are sustainable for the community. Garden members should be allowed to help make big decisions so they feel attached to the garden. When burdens are placed on the gardeners that they did not anticipate or agree to, they might be less likely to stay in the garden community over the long term.

Many community gardens in the region are accepting applications for gardening space. CSU Extension in El Paso County manages the Duckwood Community Garden in Fountain Creek Regional Park. To find more information and apply, visit elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/duckwood-community-gardens.

Submit gardening questions to csumg2@elpasoco.com or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk is open 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 17 N. Spruce St. Find us on Facebook at Colorado Master Gardeners – El Paso County.