This is a continuation of a series.  Click here to read Community Gardening: What We’ve Learned Part 1 and Part 2.

Here are a few more things we’ve learned from our time in a community garden.

Hand watering takes longer than you think.  Our city regulations prohibit us from using soaker hoses on timers.  If this were an option, I’d do whatever I could to find the money to make it happen.  The reduced trips to the site and the time saved in travel would be completely worth it.  Spraying water from a hose is also less efficient since some water is lost into the atmosphere.  Also, some plants, such as tomatoes, are actually hindered by getting their leaves sprayed (especially in the evening) as this can encourage disease.

Get a watering buddy.  My garden is eight minutes from my home.  That can really seem like an eternity when you try and figure out how to schedule a daily round trip to the garden with time to weed and water.  A gardening friend agreed to alternate watering days with me last year.  I watered both mine and my buddy’s plot on a set schedule that was mutually beneficial.  She covered the days that worked for her.  Between us we cut down on the number of times we each had to visit the garden.  She was also a good contact to have when I had to be gone for the weekend.

This year since we have so many plots a buddy doesn’t really work out.  But I still have garden friends who are willing to help out in a pinch to keep our plants happy when we can’t make it by.

Walk or bike to the garden.  Some of my fellow gardeners were having to water their plot twice a day just to stay ahead of the scorching drought.  Gas prices are a great reason to find a garden that is close enough to bike or walk to.  If your garden is on your way to and from a frequent stop (like the grocery store or library) allow yourself a little extra time before or after to drop in and check on the plants.  Combining trips has saved me so much time!

We have learned so much from growing our own food in a community.  I am excited to share with you our learning experiences in upcoming Community Gardening posts.

What is your favorite part of working inside a community garden structure? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Beth is a wife to Mike and mother to their five children who range in age from toddler to teen. She spends her days doing school and her nights doing laundry. Saving money in the meantime helps. Beth is learning how to live organically now in the hopes of one day being a successful homesteader.