HOAs and Community Gardens

I lived in a condo association for a number of years, and organized a community garden for 2 of them. Boulder has a number of area community gardens, but none of them were close enough for me.

A community garden can be a great way to build community--even people who didn't really want to garden appreciated seeing the veggies grow.

I didn't find a lot of good resources about this particular problem of starting a community garden within the confines of an HOA (though this page is full of information about starting a community garden, and this page is a great example of documenting support for a garden to an HOA), so I decided to post some of my observations.

• Define the type of garden you want--it can either be shared entirely, or divided into plots for each interested resident.
• Gauge the interest of residents as best as you can, but realize you can have a successful garden with just 2-3 gardeners.
• Gain the support of at least 2 owners. Yes, renters do have a voice with the board, but owners have a louder voice.
• Ask the board for permission. As in the link above, make sure you know what you're asking the board for: tool storage, water, money, gardening space, access to the space, etc, etc.
• Aesthetics are key for many board members, so address this up front, and make sure you keep the garden looking neat.
• Siting of the garden is crucial as well. Because of the aesthetics concerns, it's useful to find a place that is out of the way for at least the first year. But also find someplace that you won't ignore or have too hard a time getting access to.
• Put the garden to bed every year with a nice layer of mulch--that leaves it looking clean for the winter.
• Start small--it's better to have a few people interested in a small space that is kept clean and neat than to have an acre that is ignored and unkempt.
• Report back to the board a few times a year. Remember that the garden reflects on them, since they gave permission.

Any other thoughts on how HOAs and community gardens?

Neighborhood Farming Plan

Here's a great blog post explaining how to expand food production via your neighborhood network. It's the next step past community supported agriculture (by the way, here's a directory of Colorado CSAs I maintain).

For all the issues with suburbia, including sprawl, car dependence and resource inefficiencies, the fact is suburbia has some strengths. Here's a video to that effect:

Broomfield Community Garden Website

Here's a great site about community gardens in Broomfield. This includes the Grange Heritage Garden ("located on the grounds of historic Crescent Grange #136"), which has been the focus of some recent efforts from the Transition community, including plans to build a hoop house.

More on the DU Gardens

Last fall I posted about the DU permaculture gardens. Now, here's a blog post about the installation with more pictures, and a link to a website all about the DU "Garden Scene".

Broomfield Permaculture Garden Update

The Broomfield Community Garden, which I mentioned previously here, had a successful season.

Here's a picture of some of the bounty they harvested.

This thread discusses some of the issues they want to address going forward, including how to best use the garden to promote permaculture and community.

The "money quote" for me:

The goal for the garden is to produce a steady stream of produce from early through late - maximize what the gardeners eat fresh and what the gardeners preserve.

Apparently, there is a garden coordinators' potluck on happening on December 3rd (I'd post to the above thread, or contact David Braden if you're interested in attending).

Broomfield Permaculture Garden looking for volunteers

There's a work day this Sunday (June 14) and it looks like they'll be doing a lot. See the announcement for more info, or to donate various items.

Community garden "takes root" in Golden

A community garden is happening in Golden, CO, and part of the purpose is to teach permaculture. From an article in the Denver Political Issues Examiner:

Matt Burde, Garden Leader ... said, "We’re growing a place for conversation. Golden’s First Ever Community Garden Breaks Ground and Celebrates Grand Opening Sunday, June 21st."

...

"In addition to offering plots to community members, the concept behind the garden is also to provide education opportunities to the public," said Burde. "Classes will be offered monthly or more on various topics including composting, square foot gardening, permaculture, low water use, and beyond. Open dawn till dusk, the garden will provide meeting spaces for community gatherings, a children’s gardening area, and a learning center with a library full of books."

More information on the garden, including, unfortunately, that all the 2009 plots are full, can be found at the Golden Community Garden website.

Colorado College has a garden

Colorado College, located in Colorado Springs, has a garden. Apparently, they are envisioning a permaculture garden, as well, and are making progress towards it.

We envision a one-acre permaculture garden on the Colorado College Campus that will be used as an interactive resource for students, faculty, and classes, as well as a venue for market gardening, local events, and community outreach. Students of all academic interests will benefit greatly from the establishment of the CC Farm through access to fresh produce and farm work, as well as through active involvement in research, youth education, and experiential learning.

Here's the proposed garden plan. They also have a blog (that isn't updated all that much). I contacted the outreach chair for the garden and she had this to say about their progress:

We were a functioning market garden as of last year selling to three venues: Colorado Farm and Art Market, our school's food service Bon Appetit, and a small stand outside of our campus center for students. We got our garden moved on campus last spring, so this summer is our second fully functioning summer in President Celeste's back yard (our new on campus plot. Before that we were gardening a plot at Vennetucci farms). We receive free land and water from the school, but besides that it is a completely student run and self sufficient project. We raise all the money to maintain and work the farm ourselvles (meaning students writing grants all year long). Our greatest expense is paying the three full time interns each summer to work the farm.

...

[W]e have nine chickens too! ([T]hey started as my independent project last summer when I was a garden intern and I hear they are actually starting to pay themselves off! They are all layers and apparently are producing enough so that we are selling them on a weekly basis).