I Joined a Community Garden This Year—Here’s Everything I’ve Learned So Far

Sometimes you try something new and immediately know it’s going to become a constant part of your life for a long time. That could be anything from switching from butter to mayo on your grilled cheese or using the timer method to stay on task when cleaning (both things that have changed the game for me). The latest of these revelations in my life came when I joined my community garden.

I’ve lived in my current neighborhood in Brooklyn for two years, and every week I would walk past this community garden that’s just a couple blocks from where I live. Every time I would stop and admire the space, but I never thought much about becoming a member of the garden because, for one thing, I didn’t know how, and for another, my hands-on gardening experience was extremely limited. But a few months ago, I went to an event the garden was hosting, was welcomed in with warmth, and I signed up to join then and there. I’ve been going back every week since and loving every minute of it.

While I’ve only been part of my community garden for a few months now, it’s already made a major impact on my life (and my mood), and I’m finding myself constantly wanting to brag about it to anyone who’s willing to listen. So, that’s what I’m about to do. If you’ve ever been curious about joining a community garden, consider the below my proposal on why you absolutely should.

I’m Learning More About Community-Building

The thing I love most about the community garden I joined is that it’s truly communal. There are veterans of the garden who are designated leaders in the space, and there are volunteer-led committees that focus on different aspects of planning, but no one person owns any specific plots or plants. Any volunteers can help tend to any part of the garden, and when it’s time to harvest, anyone who’s in the garden can take part. There are also meetings throughout the year that all garden members can join to learn more about what’s being planned in and around the garden and to contribute any ideas for the space. Much of the funding for the garden, outside of grants, is supported by donations from the community.

Seeing the democratic way the garden is run outside of larger institutions has been heartening to me. I often get discouraged and overwhelmed by the news cycle, feeling like so much is out of my control. But seeing a small community come together to create something so positive and beautiful in my neighborhood has filled me with hope and joy. It’s also taught about not just the value of working together and how important it is to hone those skills for so many aspects of community-building.

I Feel More Connected to My Neighbors

There’s this common idea that New Yorkers don’t know their neighbors, but I think that idea is 1. false, and 2. it keeps people who are new to the city from making those extremely important connections. Joining my community garden has given me an opportunity to meet so many people who live in my neighborhood, which has made me feel far more connected to where I live. It’s also given me more pride in my neighborhood, because it’s not just where I live but also a community I contribute to and am a part of.

I Feel Inspired to Be More Civically Engaged

Following the thread of feeling more connected to my neighbors and my community, it’s a natural progression that I would start to feel more connected to the happenings in and around my city and state as well. According to a 2017 survey of 5,188 people from 26 communities across the United States, respondents who had a community garden within a 10-minute walk of their home self-reported higher levels of civic engagement than respondents without a garden, including 4% higher civic trust, 7% more participation in public life, and 6% more local voting.

Seeing the value of people working together in the garden has given me a better framework for different ways to work with people in other forms of community building. Many of my fellow gardeners are also involved in other community programs outside of the garden, like food drives, community fridges, and political campaigns—so I’m constantly feeling inspired by them.

I’m Spending More Time Outside

There are a number of proven mental health benefits associated with spending time outside and with gardening specifically. Gardening has been associated with fewer sleep issues, lower stress levels and depression, a better mood, and even a longer life. And while it’s a bit too soon to tell for some of these effect, I can easily say that I always leave the garden in a better mood. When I’m at the garden I’m socializing, getting to work with my hands, and I’m enjoying simply being outside. No matter what else I have going on in my life or my schedule, being at the garden just always feels like a good use of my time.

I’m Learning More About Gardening and Plants, Too (Of Course)

While I’ve spent all this time writing about how the benefits of joining a community garden go so far beyond the garden itself, I can’t ignore all the things I’m learning about what grows in the soil. I’ve learned about the different plants that will take over garden beds if you aren’t careful, different uses for herbs like lemon balm, the importance of pruning, and more. Everyone in the garden has been so generous in sharing their knowledge with me and fellow gardeners since there is a general understanding that the information sharing and support is good for everyone.

And while it’s a bit too soon for me to see the results of the things I’ve planted so far, I know it’ll be the best reward to see my contributions to the garden starting to bloom.