Gardener Seeking Vegetable Garden
There are millions like me, gardeners who don’t have vegetable garden space. I love growing my own veggies, but I live in an apartment. When I’m out walking, I look into grassy back yards, and imagine how I would change each grassy dessert into an oasis of vegetables. I’d like to knock on a door, introduce myself and ask if I could use their back yard to plant a vegetable garden. Certainly, I’d be glad to share the results. I can imagine the conversation now.
Home owner – “What’s in it for me?”
Me – “It’s garden sharing. I’ll do the work. It’s your yard. I’ll give 1/3 of what I grow to you.”
Ahh. But I’d never be bold enough to just knock on a door.
You want to garden, but don’t have space
I lost my garden space last year, when we decided to move closer to family, away from the west coast. Knowing we’d be moving to an apartment, I started looking for a garden plot three months ahead of time, at the end of January ’22. The city listed nine community gardens, but Google Maps showed only three. Odd? I posted the other six. I figured “If I’m looking for a community garden plot, others would be looking too.”
Then, I applied for a plot in the community garden closest my new address. The automated “Do Not Reply” message informed me: (1) The long waiting lists are currently capped at 300 for each of the nine community gardens and (2) The wait time could be years.
Numbers Define a Need
Google Maps published my community garden locations on January 30th. Two weeks later, Google Maps informed me, 1000 views total for my 6 community garden locations. I was surprised by the progress. Apparently, a lot of other people were looking. Gardeners seeking land. People wanting a place to grow their own.
When we arrived in early spring, I discovered that our building has several raised bed gardens on the roof. I was offered a 3 X 12 ft area. A small space compared to what I had, but better than nothing. Looking at Google Maps, I recognized my luck. This is the only apartment block in the area with rooftop garden beds, and just a bit larger than the 4 X 8 raised bed I’d get if I waited for a community garden spot.
A Modest Success
This year’s vegetable garden provided me with tomatoes, spices, a few butternut squash, and green beans. It was very successful for the space provided.
Meanwhile, Back at Google Maps
During the summer, I watched the google maps numbers grow.
I was shocked and amazed by the idea that there are so many gardeners seeking garden space. The question slowly formed in my head, “Is there a matchmaking app for gardeners? Does an app like “Tinder” exist for gardeners. Like a dating app, but instead of “Man Seeking Woman” it would be a garden sharing app that connects people wanting to grow food in a backyard with homeowners who have space for a garden.
I looked! While there are many garden share projects, there are no matchmaking apps. Such an app should be as easy as Tinder. You know, “Find a garden space nearby.” Doesn’t exit. I’m a creative person. There’s a need. Maybe I can create an app to fill that need. Shouldn’t be too hard? Right? OK, I’ll admit that I’m also a bit clueless. That was in August ’22. It’s in the works, coming this spring.
An Obvious Need
It’s January, 2023 now. I posted those community garden locations a year ago. These numbers are a continuing reminder that people want to grow their own vegetables
I assume these are gardeners seeking garden space, a place to grow their own food. Tens of thousands of gardeners in my city alone, are looking for a spot to grow vegetables now, this growing season. These people are looking for ways to grow vegetables in real soil. Beyond balcony gardens. Beyond container gardens. They want to create a vegetable garden in the ground. If they bother to apply to these community gardens, they’ll be put on waiting lists. Don’t blame the city, or the organizations that manage community gardens. The demand for community garden space will always be more than the supply.
Do You Need A Space to Grow Your Own Food?
People’s needs have changed. For many people, the desire for garden space has changed from a want to a need.
I see news articles about people having to choose between paying utilities, or buying groceries. I know that anybody with limited knowledge of gardening can grow their own seasonal vegetables from April to November, at a tenth of the cost of buying the same thing from the store.
Inflations and Hard Choices
I see news articles about people having to choose between paying utilities, or buying groceries. I know that anybody with limited knowledge of gardening can grow their own seasonal vegetables from April to November, at a tenth of the cost of buying the same thing from the store.
Who Is the Expert Here?
Me? I’m not an expert. I’m here because I want to help connect gardeners to garden space. People say I’ve got a green thumb. Didn’t used to be that way. I watch “expert gardeners” on YouTube, and I read, and play, and take notes.
Anyone growing any veggies this year got great bragging rights. My two tomato plants provided a pint of tomatoes every day from July to the end of September. Meanwhile that same pint of grocery tomatoes was outrageous.
Gardens Seeking Gardeners // Gardeners Seeking Gardens
This blog is about my journey as a gardener seeking garden space, and helping other gardeners find their own space. The app is coming. I’ll keep you posted.