In the last part of the series of communal gardens we present the most common types of communal gardens. The communal garden can take different shapes and forms depending on the desired benefits and goals, as well as the available land. The community garden can be a place where plants, vegetables, herbs or flowers can be grown in the company of neighbours and friends. It can also be a collection of individual plots of land, each of which is cultivated by an individual gardener or sanctuary, where individuals can learn or treat. There are many ways to organise a social garden, but there are several methods that are the most common, including surrounding gardens, allotment gardens, allotment gardens, donation gardens, school gardens, therapeutic gardens and market gardens. A community garden can be one of these or a hybrid of several horticultural styles.

Neighbourhood gardens

The surrounding garden is a plot of land, which a group of neighbours tend to merge into a group. These gardens often consist of both edible and ornamental plants and are often seen as a kind of park for the community. Neighbourhood gardens strengthen social ties and at the same time beautify the neighbourhood.

Allotment gardens

Allotment gardens are usually empty plots, which are divided into individual plots. These parcels are then assigned to people who tend to occupy the parcels in any way they like. These gardens are popular with people who like gardening but do not have their own backyard. The result is a beautiful patchwork of different gardens that provide fulfilment for individuals and natural beauty for the community as a whole.

Donation gardens

Donation gardens focus on the cultivation of edible plants for philanthropic reasons. The resulting food goes to local food sideboards and shelters for the homeless. Most donation gardens focus on organic products and rely on natural fertilizers and organic soil conditioners to produce healthy, reliable yields. These gardens also often produce their own composts, using the food and vegetation residues they leave behind. Since the garden is the centre of the city, we recommend the Bokashi compost fermentation system rather than the traditional decomposition system, as it is much faster and does not emit unpleasant odours to the community.

School gardens

School gardens give urban children the opportunity to experience horticulture in a way that is normally unavailable. These gardens focus on teaching children about sustainable agriculture, science and applied mathematics in a practical horticultural atmosphere. This interaction also ensures personal development as they develop their teamwork skills, learn life skills and develop social skills. The result is a more competent child with a strong sense of fulfilment. Schools can also benefit from collecting waste from cafes and transforming it into soil changes. Such projects help children learn how to recycle and grow plants. As less waste goes to landfill, transport costs are lower.

Therapeutic gardens

The aim of a therapeutic garden is to provide emotional, spiritual or physical rehabilitation to those who need it. These gardens are popular in hospitals, elderly care centres, therapy centres, addiction rehabilitation centres and special schools. Therapeutic gardens are based on the principle that people want to commune with nature. Green space encourages exercise and introspection, both of which are therapeutic.

Market gardens

As demand for fresh local products grows, so does the demand for market gardens. The market garden is a communal garden which is cultivated for profit as a source of additional income for families with lower incomes. These gardens allow needy people to harvest their own crops for sale to restaurants, private individuals and farmer markets.

Roof and balcony gardens

In many urban areas space is limited….. or so it would seem. It is enough to look upwards to see that there are areas of land that can be transformed into food production areas. These farms can provide local products to fit any of the above garden types. They also help to provide much needed oxygen and clean air in these urban areas. Several cities, particularly New York and Chicago, boast many roof gardens. These places are chosen for a variety of reasons, such as low rent and a strong roof. The soil is pulled onto the roof and rebates are developed for planting. Irrigation lines are installed and a farm is on top of the building. Areas left for composting and rainwater collection.

For more about gardening and landscaping ideas, visit Clapham-Landscapes.co.uk.