Introduction
What could be more natural than to think that a garden can thrive on its own! But this is not the case. Very quickly, certain material needs arise, such as the purchase of tools, seeds, etc. These expenses require resources and a budget. Good communication will help to reach people who are sympathetic to the cause, and consequently to recruit members, volunteers, donors and even fundraisers.
At the same time, the organiser supervises and coordinates the group responsible for drawing up and fine-tuning the garden’s operating rules. For example, the group appoints reference persons for tools, sowing and watering, ensuring that activities are well organised.
All the ingredients are now in place to cultivate your garden using agro-ecological methods, favouring natural cultivation that respects the soil and biodiversity.
Long live the new garden!
Lessons
L1. Accounting and financial management
L2. Communicate to exist
Give your community garden wings! For a community garden to grow and to flourish over the long term, it needs more than water and sunshine: it needs visibility!
Here’s how to “communicate to exist” and ensure your community garden’s longevity.
Social networks
Share the life of your garden: harvest photos, workshop videos, gardener anecdotes… Create “Wow!” moments that your subscribers won’t want to miss.
Diversify your platforms: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok don’t reach the same audience.
If you’re on the fence about whether to create a website or a Facebook page, remember that these two tools are complementary. The website belongs to you, while the Facebook page remains the property of the platform and can disappear.
Colorful flyers and eye-catching posters
Place them in local cafés, schools and shops. Make them cheerful and dynamic to attract the curiosity of passers-by.
Local press and radio
Contact local newspapers and radio stations, and invite them to visit your community garden for an interview. Once there, the journalists will discover your project and relay its story all the better.
A community garden is above all a collective adventure. A convivial atmosphere encourages everyone to flourish. So it’s important to nurture this community bond.
Organize events!
Picnics, DIY workshops, open-air concerts… All these occasions reinforce conviviality and attract new participants. The HelloAsso platform lets you organize free online ticket sales.
Discussion groups and newsletters
Use WhatsApp or Messenger to keep everyone informed. Also send out a regular newsletter with gardening news and tips.
Volunteer opportunities
Post jobs on JeVeuxAider.gouv.fr to gain visibility and recruit new volunteers.
Forge links with local associations, businesses and schools. They can offer logistical or financial support, or simply give you greater visibility.
Collaborative projects
Organize an ecological workshop with a local association or a gardening session with schoolchildren. It reinforces your impact and gets the word out.
Support from local businesses
Offer to sponsor events or provide equipment in exchange for visibility in your communications.
Involve town councils and institutions
Invite them to participate in or support your actions to promote the community garden.
Communication is an essential lever for raising funds.
Attractive activity report
Produce a polished document illustrated with photos taken on the spot. This report can be used at general meetings, in your dossiers for partners or in calls for public and private projects.
Crowdfunding campaign
Platforms such as Ulule or KissKissBankBank enable you to mobilize your community around a motivating project.
Communication must be ongoing! Here are a few tips to keep you on track:
- Track your progress: note the number of new members, events organized, or media mentions.
- Renew activities and collaborate with other associations.
- Keep in touch all year round: even in winter, keep the garden alive with newsletters, network posts or themed workshops.
- Draw up a communication plan to guide you.
- Share communication tasks between several people according to their skills or interests.
*NB: Communication tools are constantly evolving. Stay focused on the channels that are most relevant to your garden, so you don’t spread yourself too thin.
Contact local newspapers and radio stations and invite them to visit your community garden for an interview. Once there, the journalists will discover your project and relay its story all the better.
As attachments, you can find two templates that you will be able to re-use: a communication plan and an example of activity report.
