Community Garden Basic Information
Estimated timeline:
We would begin work on clearing and preparing the land through summer and fall of this year. Use the winter months to put the word out and generate interest in the community. Then enroll occupants in the spring and open by May 1st 2017.
Cost:
Clearing the land: Most of this work can be done by volunteers. Any work to cut down trees or add to existing areas would have to be quoted at a later date.
Cost to build one 4x6 garden box: $53.25
Lumber- $42.16
Soil- $4.50
Weed block (optional)-$2.00
Tax- $4.62
Total cost for 20 boxes: $1064.91
Cost to build one 10x6 garden box: $95.19
Lumber- $71.76
Soil- $11.18
Weed blocker- $3.99
Tax- $8.26
Total cost for 20 boxes: $1903.70
Cost for washing station: $28.95
Cost for tool shed: $300-600
To offset the cost of the garden, the boxes would be purchased at a price. Michael will also apply for a grant, and there is a building fund already in place.
Step by Step:
These are the steps we would need to have in place to get our project off the ground and see our garden be successful.
- Form a planning committee
This would be a group of people who are passionate and committed to the creation of the garden area and have time to devote to it. We would have different coordinators to tackle specific tasks like funding, partnerships, community outreach and activities, construction, communication, and design.
- Identify all available resources
We would look for people within our church and community for experience in landscape and gardening. Lowes in Jonesborough has shown interest in partnering with us.
- Approach Sponsors
Gardens can self-support but we may need sponsors who can provide gardening tools and equipment. DCHS Ag Department and Lowes are a few examples.
- Prepare and develop the sight
Organize volunteer crews to clean, and gather materials.
- Organize the garden
The committee should decide how many boxes and the cost for each.
- Plan for children
We will have a box designated to children who come with others. This area would be free of charge and the box would be designed with children in mind. We have hopes to let our youth and younger kids be a part of this box design.
- Determine Rules and have them in writing
Having ground rules posted and known to occupants will let gardener’s know what’s expected of them. Some of the rules/issues we would discuss would be:
- Dues expected and by what date
- Maintenance of boxes and how long no up keep would be tolerated.
- How will earnings be used
- How will boxes be assigned
8. Help Members stay in touch
Have a call list to relay information to occupants, use the bulletin board in the garden area and have celebrations.
We have planned each year to have a grand opening day, as well as an end of harvest celebration.