Concept

BENEFITS OF A SHARING GARDEN
Growing the food in one large plot, instead of separately rented plots (as in most community gardens), has many benefits: 

Water more efficiently: Plants can be grouped together with similar watering requirements and placed so shorter plants are not blocked from receiving water.

Grow the maximum amount of food: With fewer pathways between garden rows, and greater flexibility for plant placement and rotation, the garden can be grown more efficiently.

Manage weeds and pests more easily: In a typical community garden setting, the lack of weed and pest-management in one plot can lead to the spread of offending bugs and weed seeds. In a Sharing Garden, if pests/weeds appear, they can be managed cooperatively and more efficiently.

Keep materials out of the landfill: In our gardens, we use salvaged and recycled material whenever possible. This keeps these materials out of burn piles and the landfill while providing new life for tools and building supplies. Leaves, grass clippings, and other organic material contribute to the fertility of the soil instead of being burned or filling up landfill space.  We currently recycle food waster from Body Restaurant and Spa, Dulce Bakery and Ohori's Coffee.

Build community: Though some community gardens have regular work parties and social gatherings, the emphasis is on each gardener doing his or her own thing. In a Sharing Garden, the focus is on cooperation and sharing a common goal. Having a meaningful shared purpose builds great camaraderie and relationships that can be called on in times of crisis.

See:
The Sharing Garden
Winter 2011, Intentional Communities Magazine

Concept

BENEFITS OF A SHARING GARDEN
Growing the food in one large plot, instead of separately rented plots (as in most community gardens), has many benefits: 

Water more efficiently: Plants can be grouped together with similar watering requirements and placed so shorter plants are not blocked from receiving water.

Grow the maximum amount of food: With fewer pathways between garden rows, and greater flexibility for plant placement and rotation, the garden can be grown more efficiently.

Manage weeds and pests more easily: In a typical community garden setting, the lack of weed and pest-management in one plot can lead to the spread of offending bugs and weed seeds. In a Sharing Garden, if pests/weeds appear, they can be managed cooperatively and more efficiently.

Keep materials out of the landfill: In our gardens, we use salvaged and recycled material whenever possible. This keeps these materials out of burn piles and the landfill while providing new life for tools and building supplies. Leaves, grass clippings, and other organic material contribute to the fertility of the soil instead of being burned or filling up landfill space.  We currently recycle food waster from Body Restaurant and Spa, Dulce Bakery and Ohori's Coffee.

Build community: Though some community gardens have regular work parties and social gatherings, the emphasis is on each gardener doing his or her own thing. In a Sharing Garden, the focus is on cooperation and sharing a common goal. Having a meaningful shared purpose builds great camaraderie and relationships that can be called on in times of crisis.

See:
The Sharing Garden
Winter 2011, Intentional Communities Magazine

Concept

BENEFITS OF A SHARING GARDEN
Growing the food in one large plot, instead of separately rented plots (as in most community gardens), has many benefits: 

Water more efficiently: Plants can be grouped together with similar watering requirements and placed so shorter plants are not blocked from receiving water.

Grow the maximum amount of food: With fewer pathways between garden rows, and greater flexibility for plant placement and rotation, the garden can be grown more efficiently.

Manage weeds and pests more easily: In a typical community garden setting, the lack of weed and pest-management in one plot can lead to the spread of offending bugs and weed seeds. In a Sharing Garden, if pests/weeds appear, they can be managed cooperatively and more efficiently.

Keep materials out of the landfill: In our gardens, we use salvaged and recycled material whenever possible. This keeps these materials out of burn piles and the landfill while providing new life for tools and building supplies. Leaves, grass clippings, and other organic material contribute to the fertility of the soil instead of being burned or filling up landfill space.  We currently recycle food waster from Body Restaurant and Spa, Dulce Bakery and Ohori's Coffee.

Build community: Though some community gardens have regular work parties and social gatherings, the emphasis is on each gardener doing his or her own thing. In a Sharing Garden, the focus is on cooperation and sharing a common goal. Having a meaningful shared purpose builds great camaraderie and relationships that can be called on in times of crisis.

See:
The Sharing Garden
Winter 2011, Intentional Communities Magazine