The benefits of community gardens vary depending on the location, but there are many benefits to a garden. When people grow vegetables and fruits together, it builds a sense of community and allows them to share their harvest with others in their homes or neighborhood. There are also other important aspects such as the built environment and physical exercise gained from gardening. These benefits should not be underrated, as the benefits are crucial to our health and longevity.
A garden project does not have to be a large, formal structure like a traditional gardening pattern. Community gardens can take many forms, from an outdoor plot of grass with a small patch of vegetables to an entire community garden consisting of plants worldwide. Some of the benefits of community gardens include:
1. Increase access to fresh foods
Gardens allow people to grow their food, allowing them to have more control over the ingredients they consume. This increases access to fresh, healthy food and can help with the growing problem of world hunger.
2. Contribute to the built environment
Gardens that go along with existing landscaping are often more successful than those new to the neighborhood. People may feel more connected and involved when living in a community where there is a garden in their area and a community where there is a garden for plants and flowers.
3. Improve food security
Gardens allow people to have more control over the ingredients they consume, bringing about food security.
4. Build a sense of community
Gardening is a communal experience and allows people to feel connected to their neighborhood and city. People who garden together can invite their neighbors over for a gardening party, where they pick produce together.
5. Increase physical fitness
Gardening can provide many benefits in terms of exercise; working in your garden requires physical effort and requires you to move around often.
6. Increase fruit and vegetable intake
Growing your food allows you to consume more fruits and vegetables in a shorter period.
7. Focus on sustainability
Creating an environment that focuses on sustainability is important for a community garden project, whether planting natives or implementing composting methods to reduce the amount of waste produced by gardening.