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Community Gardens
Published on Mar 05, 2019
Why
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Community Gardens
Jessica Rymel- Cass County AgriLife Extension Agent- Agriculture and Natural Resources1
My name is Jessica Rymel. I am the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent for Cass County. I supervise the master gardener program, where we have 30 trained volunteers working to establish community gardens in areas where they are needed.
Photo by On the Commons
What is a community garden?
A community garden is a shared place where people can produce food.
A community garden is a natural space where gardening can occur.
These gardens can produce, fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Many people find the shared responsibilty makes the task of maintaining a garden less daunting.
Larger gardens even host chicken houses and honey bees to provide a greater number of healthy food options to residents of that area.
These gardens can produce, fruits, vegetables, herbs, or flowers. Many people find the shared responsibilty makes the task of maintaining a garden less daunting.
Larger gardens even host chicken houses and honey bees to provide a greater number of healthy food options to residents of that area.
Photo by vicki moore
Why should we have a community garden?
community gardens can create opportunity for education, community development and physical activity
In Texas, the leading causes of death are linked to lifestyle choices, including the lack of fruits and vegetables incorporated into most people's diets.
It is recommended that we eat 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day! In Texas, over 40 percent of adults consume less than 1 serving of fruit per day and 22 percent are eating less than 1.6 servings of vegetables per day.
It is recommended that we eat 7-13 servings of fruits and vegetables per day! In Texas, over 40 percent of adults consume less than 1 serving of fruit per day and 22 percent are eating less than 1.6 servings of vegetables per day.
Photo by Victoria Bilsborough
What's more is...
17% of the households are below the poverty line-- 3% higher than Texas average
26% of people aged 0-17years are below the poverty line-- 4% higher than the Texas Average
The percentages only increase when you look at populations that are considered economically disadvantaged, especially economically disadvantaged children. 25% of children in Cass county are considered economically disadvantaged.
Community gardens can help to combat this issue. People in general, and children specifically, are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables that they helped to grow. Providing areas for children to participate in this type of activity in paramount.
Community gardens can help to combat this issue. People in general, and children specifically, are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables that they helped to grow. Providing areas for children to participate in this type of activity in paramount.
Photo by Christine Siracusa
When should this garden be established?
Now it is time to put in your spring garden.
This time of year we can cultivate some of the best vegetables of the year such as jalepenos, tomotoes, okra, and squash.
To keep cost minimized, many dedicated gardeners start seeds early in the season, so that by the time the danger of frost has passed, they have plants large enough to put into the ground.
This time of year we can cultivate some of the best vegetables of the year such as jalepenos, tomotoes, okra, and squash.
To keep cost minimized, many dedicated gardeners start seeds early in the season, so that by the time the danger of frost has passed, they have plants large enough to put into the ground.
Photo by Rob Pumphrey
Where should this garden be placed?
Community gardens can be found just about anywhere. People have even learned how to create gardens that can grow up walls.
It is important to make sure that there is a way to easily water, which will make life easier in the middle of the summer when the plants need intensive watering. The plants also need partial shade during the hottest parts of the day. If you are planning to grow during the winter, you need to make sure that there is a wind break of some type to protect plants. When choosing a location, all of these things must be taken into consideration.
Gardens can be grown in raised beds. This prevents the need to till up soil, and also creates a barrier for weed growth.
It is important to make sure that there is a way to easily water, which will make life easier in the middle of the summer when the plants need intensive watering. The plants also need partial shade during the hottest parts of the day. If you are planning to grow during the winter, you need to make sure that there is a wind break of some type to protect plants. When choosing a location, all of these things must be taken into consideration.
Gardens can be grown in raised beds. This prevents the need to till up soil, and also creates a barrier for weed growth.
Photo by beingtwinflower
How can we make this a reality?
Steps:
1- Find a location
2- Identify Responsible Parties
3- Develop a plan
Type of Beds
Seasonal Produce
4- Find Funding
CCMG funds beds, also
have local businesses
willing to sponsor parts of
the projects
1- Find a location
2- Identify Responsible Parties
3- Develop a plan
Type of Beds
Seasonal Produce
4- Find Funding
CCMG funds beds, also
have local businesses
willing to sponsor parts of
the projects
Photo by j_arlecchino
Ways to help
- join the Master Gardeners
- sponsor a garden bed
- help identify places that would be willing to allow a garden to be established
Photo by bgottsab
