Community gardening groups have many benefits
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Gardening groups are a great way to bring people together in a meaningful shared endeavor. Growing plants as part of a team can have physical, mental, and social benefits, as well as learning new skills.
For budget-conscious growers, gardening clubs and community gardens are also a great way to save money. Find out how you can reduce costs by joining a gardening group.
1 – Exchange knowledge
Whether you’re growing fruits and vegetables or ornamental plants and flowers, you can avoid costly mistakes by learning from the experienced gardeners in our group. Learn practical tips on sowing, plant care, pruning, pest control, and soil management to help your plants grow.
2 – Swap plants and seeds
Derek Daly of @fivemountgardener says, “When you become good friends with other gardeners, you always have the opportunity to share seeds, plants, and cuttings.” Allotment owner Steve Newland of @snewland97 agrees that free plants and exchanges are always available in the gardening community. He often picks up extra strawberries and raspberries this way. Just plant a few extra seeds when you get started so you always have something to replace.
Annabelle from North Leeds Garden Design recommends being wary of freebies, but with one important caveat. “Make sure your giveaways are of high quality, otherwise it becomes a false economy.”
3 – Share the land
Community gardens and farms offer affordable or free gardening space. If you don’t have your own garden and don’t have the budget to rent an entire community garden, this is a cost-effective way to actually till the soil.
4 – Bulk orders
Ordering important items like soil, compost, and well-rotted manure in bulk is a good way to significantly reduce costs for everyone in your group. Some gardening clubs partner with local tree surgeons and will provide free wood chips that are always useful for composting, mulching, or covering paths.
5 – Get group discounts on seeds and plants
Gardening groups often benefit from generous discounts. For example, each member of T&M’s Horticultural Group Scheme receives a 50% discount on seeds and a 20% discount on other live products such as potatoes, garlic, shallots, onions, plants, bulbs and fruit. Once your group is registered, everyone, whether it’s a club or an individual, can use their unique discount code on every order.
6 – Community composting
A communal composting bay creates large amounts of nutrient-rich compost for everyone to use, free of charge. This system is much faster and more efficient than collecting and composting the materials alone.
7 – Share tools and equipment
Gardening groups share recycled pots, trays, stakes and canes, which can be borrowed if needed. Catherine from Growing Family also notes that many organizations have large tool loan programs. “Don’t be tempted to buy tools you’ll only use once in a while. Instead, see if you can rent them. This will not only save you money, but also connect you with other local gardeners and help the environment. It’s a great way to reduce the impact of
8 – Reduce food costs
If your gardening group works together to grow fruits and vegetables, you’re in for a treat. Bringing fresh, seasonal produce home can save you a lot of money at the grocery store. Any surplus can be traded with other groups, shared with local communities or distributed through food banks.
Gardening groups make growing fruits, vegetables, plants, and flowers easier and cheaper by sharing resources, sharing expertise, and fostering a supportive community. Join a local group and start reaping the benefits today!
Thompson & Morgan’s horticulture team produces a wealth of content about gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalog was published in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown to become one of the UK’s largest mail order seed and plant companies. Through publishing catalogs and operating an award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the highest quality products money can buy.
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