Guide: How City Dwellers can Start Growing with Community Gardens

The team at Plum Hollow Farms created this simple guide to help city folks grow their own food and get back to the land by getting involved in a Community Garden, either by joining an existing one or starting a new one with a local farm

Fun fact: Studies show that gardeners live longer and happier lives

If you live in the city but dream of fresh air, green fields, and vibrant vegetables, you’re definitely not alone. In a world ruled by screens, nothing compares to getting your hands in the soil, feeling the sun on your back, and growing real food alongside like-minded people. But how?

Community Gardens are one of the best ways for city dwellers to reconnect with nature, build friendships, and learn to grow food, even if they don’t have land of their own.

Best of all, it’s easier than you think. With a little determination and less than $50, you can start growing your own food this season.

What’s a Community Garden, Anyway?

Community Gardens are shared growing spaces—usually tucked into underused plots on farms or in urban spaces—where volunteers come together to grow food.

Farmers often welcome community gardeners onto their land in exchange for a few hours of help, shared harvests, or both. It’s a beautiful example of mutual support: farmers gain help, and gardeners gain access to soil and sun.

Here’s the Plum Hollow Farms quick guide to help get you started.

Step 1: Find a Farmer

The first thing to do is find a farm within your travel radius. Open Google Maps and search “farms near me” or “market garden.”

Check their websites or social media to see if they already run a community garden. If they do, amazing! Reach out and ask how you can get involved.

Another great way to connect with local farmers is by visiting your nearby farmers' market.

Walk up to vendors and ask if they already have—or would be open to starting—a community garden. Many farmers are open to creative ideas, especially when there's an offer of help involved.

Step 2: Send a Request

If the farm doesn't yet have a Community Garden, pitch them the idea:

• Request land, about 300 square feet (e.g., 3 rows of 100 feet or 6 rows of 50 feet) would be ideal

• Say you'll use your own tools (spade, shovel, and rake will do for most)

• Offer to trade volunteer time on the farm for access to the garden, we suggest a 40/60 split (40% farm, 60% Community Garden)

• Offer to share your harvest with the farmer

• Emphasize safety: mention a simple volunteer waiver to release the farmer from liability in case of injury

• Clearly state your planting principles, for example, are you committed to being pesticide-free?

Make it easy for the farmer to say yes. Be respectful of their time and make your proposal clear and simple.

Pr Tip: You may also have friends who live in rural areas with big yards. They also might be open to letting you set up a Community Garden on their land. As the saying goes: You get 100% of the things you don't ask for. In other words, ask, and you shall (eventually) receive!

Sample template for Community Garden outreach email:

Subject line: Community Garden Idea: Quick Request

Email body:

Hi [Name],

Would you be open to letting me set up a small Community Garden on your land?

We'd bring our own tools, follow safe and natural growing practices, and help out on the farm in return.

Happy to share some of the harvest too.

Totally understand if it’s not a fit but your farm looks ideal and I thought I’d ask.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Step 3: Invite Some Folks

Gardening for food is more fun—and more manageable—with friends.

Post your announcement on your fave social media, particularly the Facebook Groups in your area, or local community boards to find people interested in joining you. Aim for a small group of 6–10 people. That way, you can cover for each other during holidays or busy seasons.

Both Farms and Community Gardens are especially busy in late spring for planting and again for harvest and processing in early-to-mid fall, so having a core group ensures things run smoothly even when things get a little hectic.

Step 4: Start Growing

You can start growing dozens of veggies from home for well under $50.00

You don’t need a fancy greenhouse or even access to the Community Garden to start growing your own food. You can raise strong, healthy seedlings right in your apartment, condo, or home for under $50.

Here’s what you'll need:

• Seed trays, egg cartons, or plastic food containers

• Seedling mix (light, fast-draining soil)

• Seeds (try veggies like tomatoes, peppers, or leafy greens)

• Optional: Use a small grow light for a few hours a day

Pro tip: Use a gentle fan to strengthen stems. No fan? Try brushing your hand gently over the seedlings each day mimics wind and helps them grow strong. Think Russell Crowe in Gladiator wheat field style (minus the sword).

After 4-6 of weeks, transfer your individual seedlings into solo cups or small pots with potting soil (not seedling soil) so they can continue to grow.

After another 3-5 weeks they’ll be ready for transplanting into the Community Garden at the farm.

The Big Picture: Food, Friendship, and Freedom

Starting a community garden isn’t just about growing vegetables. It’s about growing friendships, sharing knowledge, and building resilience. You don’t need to be an expert. You just need a bit of determination, some dirt, and a willingness to show up.

At Plum Hollow Farms, we’ve seen how community gardening brings people together, and anyone can do it. It’s the perfect antidote to screen time, stress, and disconnection.

So why not start this season?

Good luck and happy growing!

If you’re interested in learning more about our Community Garden or starting your own, reach out to us Plum Hollow Farms.

We’d love to connect.