COMMUNITY GARDEN CHECKLIST
This checklist is intended to assist you in the planning of your new community
garden.
1. Garden Vision
This is the overview of the garden. The garden vision must meet the
community’s needs and interest. Clearly define who, what, where, when,
why and how of the garden.
□ Define the main purpose of the garden (grow food, build community, service
learning, other)
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Identify the use of the garden (plan around your garden vision)
What population will the garden serve (identify the community)
Organize gardeners (are there enough gardeners to maintain and sustain a garden?)
Choose garden site (see number 4)
2. Considerations
The success of your garden plan is in the details. Be specific. The more
details decided upon in advance, the easier the garden planning will be.
□ If in a HOA, board approval must be obtained (this MUST be done FIRST)
□ Who is drawing the plans for the garden (hired services, donated services, selfdrawn)
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Who is building the garden (community, donated services, hired contractor)
How are materials and equipment getting to the garden space
How will the garden be secured (fencing, prickly plantings, lighting)
What kind of community garden works in the garden vision (family
owned beds, communal beds, market garden, kitchen garden, donations) (for market and kitchen
gardens be aware of the food laws)
□ Where are the garden building materials coming from (reclaimed or
recycled, donated, purchased)
□ Will educational classes be available (who will be teaching)
□ Will there be a compost area (who will maintain)
□ What kinds of herbicides and pesticides will be allowed (organic?
conventional? hydroponic?)
□ Will the garden’s hours be able to accommodate the extreme
summer heat (In the Mojave Desert, it is not unusual for temperatures to be above 110° in
the summer. The garden hours need to be extended to before 9am and after 5pm for the safety
of the gardeners )
3. Organize Gardeners
Organize the garden team and choose a coordinator.
□ Find people interested in gardening in the community gardening (This
must be more than wishful thinking on the planner’s part. Get a firm list of names of potential
gardeners, including phone numbers and email addresses)
□ Find people interested in starting up the garden (these need not be the
gardeners)
□ Determine level of support and commitment of the gardeners (do NOT
overestimate this. The gardeners are the most important part of the equation)
□ Consult with local experts (Cooperative Extension office, city planning, botanical
gardens, etc.)
□ Choose a Garden Coordinator
□ Describe and define roles and responsibilities of the garden officers,
gardeners and volunteers (what kind of time commitment are you expecting)
□ Keep the gardeners (and potential gardeners) informed (what is
happening in the garden to keep the excitement going, use social media, flyers and to increase
interest)
4. Garden Site
Take an objective look at the garden site
□ Where is the closest water source
□ Does the garden have easy access to water (Garden site MUST have easy access
to water)
□ Does the garden have at least 8 hours of direct sunlight (look at
surrounding structures for shade and the “wind tunnel” effect)
□ Who owns the land – permission will have to be obtained
□ Who will hold the liability insurance, landowner or garden
□ What is the slope of the land (is the land flat?, if not what is the pitch- do you need to
meet ADA (American’s with Disabilities Act) standards
□ Is the area easily accessible to gardeners (will the garden be open hours that will
accommodate a large amount of people; is the garden easy to get to)
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What is the garden size (start small, is there room for expansion)
Is there room for parking (if needed)
Is there a restroom (if needed)
What was on the land previously
What kinds of animals are found in the neighborhood (feral cats, rabbits,
quail, ground squirrels, coyotes, etc.)
□ Does the land have good drainage
□ Soil testing (have the soil tested and follow the recommendations for improvement, if
needed)
□ Is the area zoned for a community garden (check with your city planning
department to be sure the land can be used for a community garden)
5. Garden Budget
What is the money needed for? Where is the money coming from?
□ What is your start-up budget
□ Where is your initial money coming from (donations, private monies,
fundraisers, etc.)
□ Open a bank account for the garden
□ Develop a monthly budget
□ What are the garden dues paying for (water, common area maintenance, garden
manager, insurance, etc.)
□ Insurance
6. Sustainability of the Garden
How will the garden be maintained the garden through the years
□ Develop partnerships (nurseries, schools, spiritual or religious groups, Cooperative
Extension, etc.)
□ Education (Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, guest speakers on topics interesting to
gardeners, etc.)
□ Rules and regulations (clear cut rules and regulations make for a pleasant working
environment)
□ Garden activities and special events (these will be community building events for
the garden)
□ Record the garden successes (articles in newspaper, develop friends in the media,
etc.)
□ Website, Facebook (Keep social media updated with successes of the garden)