What the heck is this anyway?:
Community gardens are everywhere. Not everyone has the space they would really like for a garden. Even if you have the space, it may just be easier to work in ground that is already prepared for you. Community garden plots give the possibility of having your own garden space with needing it be on your own land.
Community gardens come in all shapes and sizes, but usually you can reserve your plot for the season, garden whenever you want, and reap the benefits. The whole community may even come together a few times a year to garden together, prepare for the season, or just to have a nice shindig.
One huge plus for eco warriors like us? Almost every community garden will also have space to compost. Whether it’s a tumbler, a three bay system, or just a pike. There is likely to be a place to recycle compostable waste. The bulk of material at these sites might be garden waste like weeds, and clippings, but you might be able to bring your kitchen waste there too. Usually gardeners are happy for any additional nutrients for their plot. Every community garden has a leader or point of contact, so reach out to your local one and ask if they have any rules about what and can’t be composted there. Even if you don’t get a plot you can still bring your kitchen waste there!
The Pros of composting this way:
- You don’t have to be the only once turning the compost pile.
Turning a compost pile can be exhausting. This way, you can share the burden or ask for help if the pile needs turning at your community garden.
Healthy compost needs a diverse mix of materials. More people adding material to the pile could mean a greater mix of material as well. Healthier mix means healthier compost.
- No need to have your own space to compost. Especially helpful if you live in an apartment, or home without a yard. Space is often a hurdle of nascent composters must overcome. This is a pretty good way to get around that.
- There are all sorts of reasons to compost, and even if you don’t have a need for finished compost, recycling nutrients back to the soil is always and forever a good thing to do.
- If pests are a problem in your neck of the woods, this can be good options. Community garden spaces are often fenced in areas to keep pests out of the garden bed, which also means that they are kept out of the compost pile. So if animals are a concern for you at your space, this could be a great solution
Drawback of community composting
- The Compost isn’t yours: You may contribute to the compost pile but you still have to share it with everyone else. Play nice, and don’t take more than is fair, and supplement with purchased compost if you have to.
- There may be commuting involved. Community Gardens are almost never going to be next door. So it will require you getting there.
Conclusion
Community gardens are awesome. They foster community, make green spaces in urban environments, and provide an opportunity for fresh vegetables all season long, grown in a bed all your own.
They provide a way to recycle all your compostable waste back to the earth where it belongs. As things get more crowded, space becomes more and more of a commodity, and these spaces for composting, and gardening, become more and more valuable.