Sustainable Community Gardens

Community Gardens are one of the best ways to guide a community into sustainable and healthy living. 

It can provide a space to learn, grow, and build relationships with members of the community while promoting healthy living, organic diets, and small-scale farming. The best advantage of a community garden is its benefits those with small or no garden space or little time to maintain one of their own. For some, raised bed gardens and vegetable drums are privileges a communal space can provide. 

The Malabar Community Garden is one of many sustainable initiatives orchestrated by members of a community, for the community. At the community center, experts share their knowledge of gardening, food production, and business development with the residents who are encouraged to 'grow what you eat.' In the garden, they practice organic pest controls and fertilizing, and both raised bed and hydroponic gardening techniques. It is then maintained daily by residents and is visited regularly by those who wish to purchase homegrown produce.

Community Gardens like these have been the subject of studies around the world. For instance, North Carolina State University has collected a database of information regarding the many benefits of community gardens ranging from nutrition, community development, and stress. These benefits have been experienced worldwide, and can even apply in this local case. 

Nutrition 

For decades community gardens have been used to ensure food security for families year-round. However, the availability of cheap fast food and the high cost of fruits and vegetables has encouraged many of us to neglect a healthy diet. This resurgence of communal gardening also aims to make fresh organic food accessible and promote a healthy way of life. Not only is the cost of fresh produce reduced, but studies have shown that there is a reduced risk of obesity and obesity-related issues associated with community gardens.

Community Development

Our fast-paced lives have had us all consumed with 'securing the bag'. As a result, so many of us have failed to build homes out of the houses we live in. We take little involvement in community activities and are too busy to build relationships with the people around us. Yet, research on community gardens has shown a positive impact on residents who live near the gardens, with this impact expanding overtime to the wider community as more people get involved. Not only are social ties encouraged, but vacant lands used for crop production can uplift the scenery and even increase the property values of some neighbourhoods.

Stress

So many of us continue to feel maxed out after a long day at work. Gardening is a free and easy way to destress after a workday (or week). There are numerous articles available proclaiming the advantages of gardening on your mental and physical health. As these two are often related, studies on the effects of gardening on depression have reported an improvement in some participant's physical health and stress levels. More recently, the American Institute of Stress has illustrated the many ways your garden can reduce stress levels, recommending that individuals get at least 150 minutes of moderate garden activity per week. 

When thought of holistically, it's incredible to see how a simple community initiative can lead to its overall development. I am excited to see more projects like these expand throughout Trinidad and Tobago!

This particular project was established by The Sunbeam Foundation. Make sure to check them out if you are interested in their upcoming projects, or would like to get involved!

- Live simply ♡

These images were taken during my recent visit to the Malabar community garden. All images are my own. Please request permission before use.