You may have sometimes passed by an area within our estates and thought it would be a great place to grow some flowers or for a herb garden. Setting up a community garden group in one of SHA’s communal areas can be a rewarding project, improves the environment, allows you to spend time bonding with the community and is something that we strongly encourage all tenants to participate in.
Therefore, we’ve provided a helpful step-by-step guide below on how you can consider running a community garden group with your neighbours and friends if you are interested.
How to run a community garden group
Talk to neighbours to find residents who are interested in gardening. Make communication easy by holding a meeting to discuss ideas, roles, and responsibilities.
Check with SHA about available communal spaces. Consider small spaces, even small patches of grass, unused corners, or raised beds that can work. Look for external spaces. The local councils or community centres may offer some space too.
Get approval by contacting us or your landlord for permission. You can seek local support by approaching charities or local businesses or look for grants & funding from organisations like the local councils or environmental groups. Reach out to us if you would like our help facilitating any conversations.
Decide what to grow: consider vegetables, flowers, herbs, or pollinator-friendly plants. Design the layout by planning pathways, planting areas, and communal seating, if possible. Make it inclusive, with raised beds for accessibility and areas for children can encourage wider participation.
Ask for donations from local businesses, garden centres, or councils that may provide tools, seeds, and compost. Organise a launch day or a fun event that can engage more residents. Set a maintenance schedule to assign watering, weeding, and general upkeep tasks, so that responsibility is shared.
