Start a community food garden
Starting a community food garden is one of the most productive and exciting things a community can do. Also, growing your own food is often cheaper and healthier than food bought in a shop.
Before you begin
You will need to make sure you have:
- written permission to use the land for at least for five years;
- fenced the area to protect it from intruders (e.g. dogs or thieves);
- access to water (preferably recycled water, like grey water); and
- committed community members.
Please note
These are necessary requirements if you are seeking support from the City of Cape Town.
If you are looking for available land, or are not sure who owns the land,
get in touch with the City.
Learn how to set up a food garden in your community following the simple steps below.
Step 1: Make a good team
Ensure you have a committed community members:
- If you don’t already have a team, let your community know of your plans. Make it clear that a garden takes hard work and commitment.
- Form a garden committee and appoint a garden coordinator – this makes it easier to manage the garden and team.
- Create garden rules and guidelines – for example, a schedule of who will work when and how the harvest will be shared.
- Reach out to governmental and non-governmental organisations for training, support and funding.
Top tip
Start out simply. You can always invest in your community garden – for example, add a garden shed or compost bins – later on.
Step 2: The plan
Decide which type of garden is right for your community:
- In a community garden, everyone contributes to one large garden and shares the harvest. This type of garden needs cooperation and regular meetings and works best with a small group (3-8 people). This garden might be at a school, church, crèche or club for the elderly.
- In a plot community garden, you divide the garden into plots that are looked after independently. This is a good option for groups with different schedules.
Top tip
When deciding what to plant, consider what your community likes to eat, which crops are easiest to grow, and which plants are high in nutrition. Read
What to grow in your food garden.
Step 3: Learn how to garden
For an overview on planting, harvesting and maintaining a food garden in a sustainable way please read
Start a food garden.
We also recommend you read:
Step 4: Make sure you go green
When planning your garden, there are some tried and trusted methods you can use to grow healthy, strong plants that are right for our environment:
- Work with nature and plant according to the seasons.
- Plant a variety of indigenous plants, even if not edible. This is good for the health of the soil and you’ll have fewer pests.
- Some plants work beautifully together – this is known as “companion planting”. For example, basil helps to keep pests away and leads to sweeter tomatoes.
-
Create compost or a worm bin with your kitchen waste. Compost improves the quality of your soil, resulting in healthy plants.
- Use water wisely. Even when we are not in a water restriction period, water is precious and has to be conserved. Try using
alternative water sources for your garden.
Top tip
Indigenous plants are best because they use less water, require less fertiliser and pesticides, attract birds and bees, and look great all year round.
You can consult our Smart Living Handbook for more advice on how to grow and live smartly and sustainably in Cape Town.
Step 5: Turning a food garden into a business
Some general tips for creating income from your food garden.
Check commitment: Make sure your team (staff or volunteers) are motivated to be part of the project.
Answer these questions:
Which crops best suit the land that I am working on? Which are easiest to grow? Which are most cost-efficient with the best market potential? Which will be easy to sell?
Get creative: If you don't have it, make it, reuse or recycle; e.g. use old tyres if you don't have containers.
Create networks: Sell surplus (extra) food to your neighbours, school kitchens, informal traders or to a veggie delivery scheme. Bigger food gardens can also approach supermarkets.
Invest in the future: Use a portion of surplus income to buy seeds for future planting. As you expand, you can experiment more and invest in better resources (e.g. tools).
Think ahead: Sow seeds or plant seedlings regularly – and according to the planting season – so you have a reliable supply (and variety) of fresh produce.
Stay positive: Don't give up if some crops fail. Successful food gardening is about experimenting and learning.
Go holistic: Rather than spending money on inputs like compost, see if you can make these yourself – or get someone else in your community to make them for you. If you make it yourself, sell on the surplus to other food gardens!
Learn from others: Visit successful gardeners in your area to see how they're doing it. Attend free workshops or training sessions or use free online resources so that you keep developing your gardening – and entrepreneurial – skills.
Step 6: Get support
Get involved in our food garden programmes in the city.
See our full list of
City-supported food gardens and get in touch with one of them, or sign up for the
Cape Town Green Map newsletter to stay informed about opportunities and collaborations, and connect with Cape Town’s green community
Step 7: Help your community
Get in touch with one of the
City-supported food gardens to find out how you can get involved or make a contribution. Donate tools and other resources (e.g. seeds, compost, training) to a community food garden. Buy your fresh produce from a community food garden – either directly or via a vegetable box delivery scheme (if applicable).
Please note
Some City parks also have community food gardens. If you’d like to set up a food garden in your local park,
contact us today.
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