Community gardens offer a place to build lasting relationships with neighbours and provide a sense of belonging. People come together to grow vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in designated plots. The gardens are coordinated and maintained by volunteers, and the produce is not for commercial use.
The City of Kitchener currently has 35 community gardens- and we'd love to see more!
We put together a guide to make it easier for you to start a new community garden. This guide focuses on community gardens located on city-owned land. Of course, most of the steps apply to other property types as well. Just keep in mind you will need different permissions from the land owners.
Explore each of the sections and steps below to learn how to start a community garden in your neighbourhood. You can also access this printer-friendly version to easily share with your neighbours.
If you're looking for funding support to a community garden project, you can apply for a LoveMyHood Matching Grant.
If you're a member of an active community garden on city-owned land, you can find insurance resources here.
Everything you need to know about community gardens
Benefits of community gardens
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Community gardens can provide you with:
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fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables.
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an opportunity to learn from others and share knowledge on gardening and cooking.
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a chance to meet your neighbours.
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a way to be active and enjoy the outdoors.
Community gardens are great for the neighbourhood too! They:
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provide an inclusive gathering place for people of all ages and cultural backgrounds.
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build welcoming, safer communities.
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improve the look of neighbourhoods.
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support pollinator habitats and a healthy environment.
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Meet the Community Garden Network!
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The Waterloo Regional Community Garden Network is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to supporting community gardens. We are extremely grateful for their leadership role in our community.
If you want to find a plot and garden on your own, please contact the Community Garden Network. They'll be happy to help!
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How much will this cost?
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Community gardens can cost several thousands of dollars depending on the size, layout, features and proximity to services. Typical start-up costs include:
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Water connection
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Locates
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Soil testing
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Site preparation
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Shed and other storage
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Fencing or other delineation like shrubs
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Signage
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Tools, hoses, hand tools, wheelbarrows
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Plot construction and/or raised beds
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Common amenities like seating, shade or art
We offer a LoveMyHood Matching Grant that can support your community garden project.
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How long will this take?
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Overall, the entire project to start a community garden can take about one year from start to finish (with no unexpected complications).
If you're looking for financial and in-kind assistance from the city, you may want to apply for a LoveMyHood Matching Grant. Applications to the grant are due quarterly, in March, May, August and November and gardens are typically installed the following year.
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Steps to start a community garden
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Shape your vision
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Depending on your comfort level, you might want to do the first two steps in a different order. It's up to you!
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1. Form a group of keen gardeners
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Start by getting four to six people involved and ready to work together. As a group, come up with a list of goals you hope to achieve or a vision for what your garden might look like.
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2. Contact city staff and the Community Garden Network
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Express your interest to city staff. We'll walk you through this guide and grant opportunities, as well as provide some advice on engaging the whole neighbourhood in your community garden project.
The Community Garden Network can point you to more helpful resources and connect you with experienced gardeners to learn from.
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Finding the right location
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3. Identify two to three potential locations.
Factors to consider include:
- Accessibility
- Visibility and sightlines
- Soil condition and quality
- Underground services
- Water access
- Adequate sunlight
- Storage space
- Existing and/or potential use of the site
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| Share your vision |
| 4. Do a "pulse check" in your 'hood |
| Do others share your vision? Will a community garden be supported by the neighbourhood? Start these conversations early to build broad support.
Share your vision and possible locations with your ward councillor and neighbourhood association, as well as schools, faith communities, businesses or non-profits.
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| 5. Prepare a grant application |
| Beginning in January 2020, you can prepare a grant application for the city's LoveMyHood Matching Grant. The application form will ask you to identify preferred locations, in order of priority, and describe how the garden can have a positive neighbourhood impact. Approval by the city will include confirmation of the best location. |
| 6. Engage the neighbourhood |
| At minimum, we ask that you inform residents within 120 metres of the proposed location and host a public information meeting. Sometimes, there may be differences of opinion between residents. We can help you respond to any potential challenges or concerns that may arise. |
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| Plan your garden |
| 7. Develop a layout, create a budget and look for funding |
| Once your garden has been approved, you'll need to determine the layout of your garden plots and other amenities. The Community Garden Network has great templates from other gardens and it's probably a good idea to visit an existing community garden or two as well.
Talk with city staff to discuss how to design your garden to be accessible, including features such as raised beds and barrier-free pathways.
This is also the time to make key decisions that will dictate the cost of your garden, like:
- Pathways and access to the garden
- Fencing or delineation
- Type of storage, if any
- Gathering spaces, seating or art
While the city's grant support is substantial, it will not cover the full start-up costs of a new community garden. Additional funds could be raised through member fees, donations, fundraising, sponsorships or other community grants. Remember to build a "rainy day" fund for unexpected costs in the future.
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| 8. Complete a Community Garden Agreement |
| This agreement, between your community garden group and the city, will lay out clear roles and responsibilities for both the start-up phase and long-term care and ongoing maintenance of the garden. This agreement also includes insurance requirements that are necessary to protect your garden planning group and the gardeners themselves. |
| 9. Plan how to run your garden |
Key decisions include:
- On-going volunteer roles
- Annual maintenance and operating budget and garden plot fees
- How people sign up for plots
- Gardener guidelines
- Annual work days, potlucks or celebrations
- Ways to give back to the community
City staff and the Community Garden Network can provide templates for these details. Once you have plans in place, you can start signing up gardeners, assigning plots and clearly defining roles and responsibilities of all gardeners.
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| Build the garden |
| 10. Prepare the site and build the garden |
| We'll work with you to create a schedule of who is doing what for garden construction.
Build community and a sense of ownership in the garden by hosting a work day for all gardeners. Assign tasks, such as building the plots, installing fences, organizing tools, etc. Try to find something that meets everyone's skill levels and abilities. Don't forget lunch breaks or fun stuff like live music.
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| Start gardening! |
| You did it! Your community garden is ready to go. Host an official opening and take lots of pictures to remember this special day. And don't forget to thank all the amazing volunteers who made it happen! |
