10 percent of the plots need to turn over every year. Most often, that happens naturally, and the people on the waiting list
are the first ones to get a shot at the plots.
"I wanted to work on a second location for another community garden in Mill Valley. It took a lot of work, but a yearand-a-half ago, a spot was finally designated. Now we're in the
second part of building a community garden, and that's the
expense of actually building the garden."
The ancillary benefits of community gardens extend
throughout the community. Not only do they provide a chance
"…There are always a few
community members who are
very vocal against something
whether it's logical or not"
for residents to commune with nature, catch up with their
neighbors, meet new friends and enjoy the outdoors, but the
food produced by the gardens is often used to help others.
Marin County food banks are customary beneficiaries of
excess food produced at the community
plenty of work in those areas for anyone who doesn't have a
plot.
"There are other people who don't even have plots who
want to be involved," Hamblett said. "We're always welcoming
anyone to get involved, however they like. If someone came
in who didn't have a plot and was helping out with all of the
(projects), I guarantee you they would have more food and
vegetables than they could possibly want."
That's quite an illustration of the definition of community.
gardens. In addition, several gardens —
including the San Geronimo and Mill
Valley locations — involve local senior
groups and assisted-living facilities in
their activities, providing a fun and social outlet for senior citizens to enjoy
others and the outdoors.
"It's just a good thing all around, and
there are so many benefits to it," Peratis
said. "People really want to go out and
grow their own vegetables, and I think
it's important to promote. The more buzz
we can get going about community gar-
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Just because there are no plots available at local gardens doesn't mean those
interested will be turned away or can't
participate in the garden activities. Most
gardens have a number of common
areas and a variety of ways to become
involved.
The San Geronimo Valley garden,
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for instance, has communal and picnic
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SUMMER 2013 • FLOURISH
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