A community garden is a collaborative space where neighbors are empowered to come together to enjoy the pleasures of gardening, design and maintain a space in their community and create a culture of self-sustainability. If you are looking for a healthy activity that can help the environment, connect you to nature and provide the opportunity to interact with other residents in your area, then getting involved in a community garden might be for you. Community gardens provide many benefits – from creating a prettier neighborhood aesthetic to reducing crime rates. Here is a closer look at 5 reasons to get involved in your community garden.
1. You can help clean up the environment.
Because community gardens are especially popular in urban areas where foliage might be rare, a community garden provides space for more greenery. Since plants take in carbon dioxide and add oxygen to the air that we breathe, more plants means cleaner air. They also absorb rainwater so there is less runoff in the streets and fewer pollutants are washed into rivers, streams and lakes. Having fresh produce from a local garden can also help reduce the carbon emissions it would take for food to travel from a farm to your table.
2. You can improve your health and wellness.
Gardening can do wonders for you – both physically and mentally. All that digging, planting and weeding is great exercise that doctors say provides some cardiovascular benefit. You’ll also always have access to fresh fruits and vegetables so there is an opportunity to eat healthier. One study shows that it can even help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
3. It’s a great opportunity for learning.
Being involved in a community garden has proven to be valuable when it comes to educational opportunities. It is a chance to learn from experienced gardeners and gain knowledge on how to grow bigger and better produce. Participating in your community garden also gives you the chance to learn about your neighbors who may have different cultural, social or religious backgrounds.
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4. It fights food insecurity.
Participating in a local garden is a great way to hinder the existence of food insecurity in your direct area. By growing fresh produce, gardeners can save money that can be used towards other household necessities and provide access to highly nutritional food at an affordable cost.
5. You can help provide community youth with an alternative.
Young children and adolescents can benefit greatly from community garden programs because they are given the opportunity to learn about environmental issues, teamwork and business principles. By participating in your community garden, you can help provide local youth with the skills they need to be successful in gardening and beyond.
While a community garden can be a big project that can take months of work and planning before seeing any results, many people have found the benefits of community gardening well worth the effort. If you are inspired to become involved and reap the benefits of gardening for yourself, find a community garden near you!
