A new year brings new opportunities!
Have you ever volunteered at a community garden? It is one of our favorite things to do. This is a space where people, plants, animals, and microorganisms can thrive together. It’s also an opportunity for like-minded people to connect and share what brings them joy and meaning.
What is a community garden?
This is a small plot of land that is often owned by either local government or non-profit organizations. They are cared for by locals who want to get involved in the community. Volunteers can expect to be tasked with watering, weeding, planting, and more.
Why are community gardens important?
A garden by the people and for the people is vital to healthy communities because it invites all kinds of creatures (including people!) to come and find safety.
In these spaces, plant and creature biodiversity is prized. Plants have the opportunity to grow stronger and healthier since they are naturally protected from pests and diseases. Pollinators and other critters can get enough to eat and be sheltered from traffic and other dangers. Native plants have a place to grow and provide needed habitat.
For humans, this is a place of encouragement and positive change. People of all ages and walks of life are welcome. Nature schools can visit these places where growth is being fostered, and our children get to learn invaluable lessons from the earth. Friendships can be formed while digging in the dirt!
You also get a sense of what it is to leave a legacy. Oudolf Garden Detroit is a great example of this. Volunteers have a chance to help the landscape tell its story and help lives of all kinds flourish. When we are much older, the garden will come into its own, and future generations will be able to come and enjoy it.
We’re preserving these stories every time we take the garden in with our senses, breathe out gratitude, and find a way to be helpful.
Garden Volunteering 101
Find a garden near you by asking neighbors or checking with your local library. Google “community garden” or “garden club” in your town. They will most likely provide info on how to begin volunteering.
Some of us have physical or mental limitations that could prevent us from diving into the garden community. However, there are opportunities for everyone to participate! You can water or do something that doesn’t require bending or carrying. You can join the board of directors and work behind the scenes. You can organize fundraisers, coordinate with volunteers, and/or be a passionate voice. You can bring your kids to the gardens and introduce the next generation to this special space. Who knows? It could be an experience that ignites a lifelong passion for tending to the earth.
You don’t need to be a master gardener to help the garden. If you are new to gardening, work closely with a mentor who can teach you more about the process. Start with a simple task like weeding. Learn one species of a weed, like black medic (a common Northern MI weed). Go weed all of those out, and just like that — you have helped the garden. Though weeding can seem arduous, you can find ways to make it more approachable. Go early in the morning, set a timer, and work for an hour or two. Bring garden gloves, a coachable attitude, and full bottle of water.
Remember that a weed in another garden may not be a weed in this one. Make sure you’re always ready to learn things that you wouldn’t expect to!
Which gardens do you enjoy volunteering in? Share your experience with us in the comments below! We wish you a year full of sweet connections in the garden.
Until next thyme,
My Thyme Gardens