A Series of Lectures By Mr. Allah Dad Khan Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK , Provincial Project Director CMP II MINFAl Islamabad and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan

2. Kitchen Gardening ( Community Gardening)
A Series of Lectures
By Mr. Allah Dad Khan
Former DG Agriculture Extension KPK ,
Provincial Project Director CMP II MINFAl
Islamabad and Visiting Professor the
University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan

3. WHAT IS A COMMUNITY GARDEN?
A Community Garden is a unique use of public op
en space, managed by the community primarily fo
r producing food and contributing to the developm
ent of a sustainable urban environment.
It is a place for learning and sharing about sustain
able living practices whilst actively building comm
unity through shared activities, and contributing to
improved health and well‐being.

4. Benefits of Community Gardens
1. Health: Community gardens provide a place to grow healthy,
nutritious food resulting in both gardeners and their families eating a
wider variety, larger quantity, and higher quality of fresh fruits and
vegetables.
2.Nature: Lessons learned in the community garden about water
conservation, water quality preservation, environmental stewardship,
and sustainable land use may be taken back to homes, businesses,
and schools and implemented, improving environmental health
3. Life Skills: In addition to a wealth of basic horticulture information,
gardeners learn important life skills such as planning, organization,
and teamwork.
4. Finance: Community gardens may have financial benefits for both
the gardener and the landowner. Some gardeners sell the produce
they grow. Others benefit by reducing the amount they spend on
produce. Property owners may generate income by renting garden
plots.

5. Types of Community Gardens
1. Plot Gardens (divide into individual plots)
2.Cooperative Gardens (work as a team on one large garden)
3.Youth Gardens
4.Entrepreneurial Market Gardens (sell produce)
5. Communal gardens
6.Food pantry gardens
7.Therapy gardens
8.Demonstration gardens

6. How to Start Community Gardening
Any of the following groups may have land, resources, and interested employees or clients.
1. Citizens’ groups
2. Colleges and universities
3. Community and senior centers
4. Community organizations
5. Cooperative Extension
6. Agriculture Department
7. Health departments
8. Housing authorities
9. Social services organizations
10. Municipalities
11. Community lands
12. Parks and recreation
13. Private businesses
14. Motor ways Road spaces
15. Retirement communities
16. Schools and clubs

7. BASIC CONSIDERATIONS
Purpose Of community gardening
1. Determine Need and Interest: What is the goal
(individuals growing for themselves, service group,
beautification...)
2. If a service garden, are those who will benefit
willing to be involved?
3. Hold an exploratory meeting. Invite everyone
interested or even peripherally involved (neighbors,
service organizations, gardening groups, building
superintendent and board, community groups,
elected officials...)

8. ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:
1. What is your purpose? What are your short and
long-term objectives?
2. How are decisions to be made? Who chooses
leaders and how?
3. How will work be shared? Who does what?
4. How will you raise money? Membership dues,
fund raising, grants, sponsors?
5. Are you open to change? Flexibility is important
when goals and members change.
6. Do you want to be incorporated or act as an
organization?

9. Organize the Community Garden Committee
1. Set up a Planning Committee
2. Choose a name
3. Consider finding a sponsor (a local business or association)
4. Contact similar groups in your area for advice
5. Will membership be required?
6. Will dues be charged? If so, what do you get for your dues?
7. Are you required to work as a member?
8. Are there rules to follow? Who decides on them?
9. Plot sizes? How will they be assigned? How will they be laid
out?
10. Will the work be done individually or will large jobs, like tilling,
be cooperative?
11. Will there be hours?
12. What are the minimal maintenance requirements?
13. Who will be responsible for tools?

10. Rural community gardens
1. Traditional neighborhood-type gardens with individual and
family plots;
2. Gardens that provide demonstration and education to
gardeners at neighborhood gardens and home gardens;
3. Communal gardens tended collectively with the produce
going to a local food pantry;
4. Educational gardens that offer classes to the public;
5. School gardens that incorporate gardening and nutrition
education;
6. Community-assisted home gardens where an experienced
gardener mentors novice gardeners in their home gardening
efforts;
7. Gardens affiliated with an existing agency, apartment
complex or church.

11. RESOURCES AND FUNDING FOR
GARDENS
 Community Development
 Community Foundations .
 Corporate Partners
 Donations
 Individuals or Community Members
 Publicity
 Sale
 Service Organization
 Special events

12. Challenges in Community
Gardening
1) Management
Community gardens are management intensive. They demand patience, time and the capacity to work with and organize people and projects. They
also typically require systems to enforce rules and resolve conflicts.
2) Maintenance
Community gardens are maintenance intensive. Grass will need to be mowed, equipment will need to be repaired, and plant debris will need to be
composted, among other things.
3) Participation
From year to year, gardeners and garden leaders come and go from community gardens for a variety of reasons. Because of this, it can be
challenging to maintain a sense of community and consistency at gardens.
4) Theft and vandalism
Theft and vandalism are commonplace at many community gardens. As a general rule, theft is the result of adult activity and vandalism is carried
out by children.
5) Gardening skills
Many new and some returning gardeners don't know a lot about gardening. Gardeners who lack gardening skills and have poor gardening
experiences may be more likely to give up.
6) Leadership skills
Many gardeners may not have the skills to take a leadership role at their respective garden.
7) Services and supplies
Plowing, tilling and the delivery of compost and mulch can be challenging services for gardeners to arrange for themselves.
8) Water
Most gardens need some way to irrigate fruits and vegetables during the summer. Finding a source of water can be challenging. Also, because
most community gardens are located on borrowed land, installing a water hydrant may not be feasible or cost effective.
9) Site permanency
Most community gardens are located on borrowed land. This limits the amount of infrastructure that can be added to a particular site. It may also
create an atmosphere of instability among gardeners since the garden could be lost at any moment.

13. Steps Towards Community Gardening
1. Step 1
Talk with friends, neighbors and local organizations about your idea. As you talk to
people, collect names and numbers of those who are interested.
2. Step 2
Hold a meeting with anyone interested in the garden
The purpose of this meeting is to determine the feasibility of starting a garden, to brainstorm
ideas and to address some basic questions.
3. Step 3
Find and evaluate potential garden sites
Get on your bike. Go out on foot. Tour the neighborhood with friends and
family and talk to your neighbors.
4. Step 4
Identify local resources needed for starting a garden
Gardens can require a fair amount of tools, equipment, supplies,
infrastructure, knowledge and other forms of support.
5. Step 5
Hold a second meeting.
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the notes from the previous meeting
and hear reports from the people who volunteered to find and evaluate
possible locations for a garden (Step 3) and identify local resources for
starting a garden (Step 4).

14. 6. Step 6
Draft a lease agreement
It is in everyone's best interest to have a written agreement that outlines your group's and the landlord's
obligations and responsibilities and includes a "hold harmless" clause that states that the landlord is not
responsible if a gardener is injured on the property. Try to negotiate a lease that enables your group to use the
land for at least three years.
7. Step 7
Develop a site plan
The plan for your garden can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. Consider including the following elements
in your plan:
A. The boundary of the lot
B. The location and size of garden beds
C. Any trees, shrubs or existing vegetation that will be kept
D. Driveways, pathways and open spaces
E. Compost bins
F. A shed
G. The location of the water source
H. Common or shared garden areas such as perennial or herb beds, a row planted for donation purposes, a
picnic table with chairs, or grassy areas
I. Garden sign
J. Garden name

15. 8.Step 8
Establish gardener guidelines and draft the gardener application
Just as there are many types of community gardens, there are many types of gardener guidelines and gardener applications. Having clear guidelines
for gardeners to follow and an application to collect their contact information will aid in your efforts to keep order among and stay in touch with
gardeners.
I. For starters, let's look at some common issues that most gardener guidelines address.
II. Application or membership fee. Is there a fee to garden? How much is the fee? Is there a sliding scale? When is the fee due?
III. Plot maintenance. Is there an expectation that plots will be maintained to a certain standard? What happens if a plot is not maintained? Who
decides?
IV. Garden maintenance. Are gardeners expected to volunteer for certain chores?
V. Planting restrictions. Are there restrictions on which types of plants can be grown?
VI. End of the season. Do plots need to be cleaned by a certain date at the end of the season?
VII. Composting. Which materials may and may not be composted?
VIII. Materials and tools. Are shared materials and tools available for gardeners to use? How should these items be handled and stored?
IX. Pesticides. Which pesticides are allowed?
X. Other people's plots. How should gardeners treat and respect others' gardens?
XI. Water. Can the water be left on unattended?
XII. Pets and children.
XIII. Alcohol and drugs.
XIV. Unwanted activities. How should theft, vandalism and other unwanted activities be handled and reported?
XV. Violation of garden rules. What happens if a rule is violated?

16. 9. Step 9
Prepare and develop the site
Once you've held the meetings, gained commitments from a number of
people, selected a location, identified and assembled the resources, drafted
and signed the lease, established the garden rules and made the plans, it's
time do the physical work of preparing and developing your community
garden.
 There are many ways to go about this, and much will depend on the
condition of your site. Generally, groups will schedule regular workdays to
take care of the initial tilling, trimming and building projects. It is helpful if
one or more people can lead various projects and coordinate equipment,
supplies and volunteers.
10. Step 10
Celebrate your success
Don't forget to take a step back and recognize your accomplishments. Hold
a garden party and invite neighbors, local businesses and organizations.
Show off the work you've done, and talk to people about your plans for the
future. This is a great way to gain community support for your garden.

17. Security and personal safety
i. Theft
ii. Know your neighbors.
iii. Harvest produce on a regular basis.
iv. Consider growing unpopular, unusual or hard-to-harvest varieties.
v. Grow more than you need.
vi. Put a border or fence around your garden or individual plots.
vii. Use common sense.
viii. Report theft, vandalism and unusual activities to garden leaders and the police.

18. Leadership And Community Gardens
1. Lead by example
2. Delegate work
3. Appreciate the contributions of others, regardless how large or small the contribution
4. Welcome and encourage criticism
5. Help people believe in themselves
6. Articulate and keep sight of the higher purpose
7. Avoid doing all of the work.
Team Leader Work
a) Forming a team or scheduling regular workdays to complete garden projects and maintain common
areas
b) Hosting community gatherings to involve neighbors and gardeners
c) Planning winter or off-season activities or meetings
d) Drafting and enforcing garden rules
e) Seeking out funding sources
f) Developing a garden budget
g) Making sure that both gardeners and interested neighbors know how to become involved

19. What can happen in Community Gardens?
• Growing food – vegetables, herbs and fruit are the most common plantings and organic methods are
mostly preferred.
• Growing flowers, and other ornamental plants can also happen ‐ indigenous and/or native plants are
encouraged in some gardens.
• Keeping animals – chickens, ducks, bees etc may be kept when approved.
• Cooking and eating ‐ Community Gardeners often share their produce (eating and cooking together or
• Socialising and learning – when gardening alongside each other, relationships form and gardeners
exchange knowledge and skills.
• Arts in a public space – gardens can be a venue for performances or workshops such as mosaic making and
sculptures. Finished works can decorate the garden.
• Celebrations – special celebrations can occur at different times of year, respecting and involving nearby
residents.
• Solitude – garden design can include a secluded ‘quiet corner’ where gardeners and visitors can relax, read
be by themselves.
• Community education – gardeners may offer courses and workshops for each other and the public on skills
such as cooking, gardening, conserving water, recycling and making compost.
• Formal community support – some gardens have areas and programs designed for groups with specific
disabilities such as those in wheelchairs.
• Gardening space and services offered to schools – local schools may use or visit a Community Garden as
part of their educational program.
• Farmers markets – sometimes gardeners can sell their produce direct to the community.
• Veggie swap – local gardeners sometimes swap or trade surplus produce.

20. What do successful Community Gardens have in common?
i. Common vision, agreed methodologies, simple rules, management plan
ii. Gardener commitment
iii. Willingness to work together, teach and learn from each other
iv. Gardening knowledge, training available for new gardeners
v. Focus on social aspects
vi. Good communication (internal and external)
vii. Shared responsibilities, participation in decision‐making, democratic approach
viii. Strong community leadership, good management / governance processes (including grievance procedures)
ix. Funds available, reliable income stream
x. Secure quality water source
xi. Realistic financial planning
xii. Mix of age, culture, ability and skill levels (being inclusive)
xiii. Suitable location
xiv. Security of tenure, lease / licence
xv. Good garden design, good garden aesthetics
xvi. Shelter, secure storage, meeting place under cover
xvii. Positive relationships with neighbours.