We would like to grow our own yummy carrots, tomatoes and herbs and participate in the growing modern-day victory garden movement, but we live in the urban landscape of the District — picture apartment buildings surrounded by blocks and blocks of concrete. A new resource we found allows us to use someone else's garden to grow our own veggies.
Sharing Backyards DC has an interactive map that shows you where there are gardens you can use, and where people are who are looking for gardens. According to Sharing Backyards, 40 percent of North Americans do not live in single detached housing with yard space, and 60 percent who do have access to land in the cities don't use it.
If you are looking for a place to plant your seeds, click on the garden image on the map for contact information, or add your contact information to a place on the map. If you want to share your garden you should consider when you would like to make your land available, if you have tools to share, who will provide seeds and care for the soil and if you want to allow access to locks and gates, among other things.
The snow is on the ground for now, but won't be forever! We'll be sweating in the humid days of August before you know it and enjoying the bounty of summer gardens.
For help and more info, email Sharing Backyards.
(Image: Doug Kapustin, Baltimore Sun)
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Arlington has community gardens all over the city, and you can register to get a plot of land to grow your veggies and flowers. They also provide water and sod. The annual fee is really cheap -- like $80 or something like that.
view Kenneth's profile
This is really amazing--does anyone know of anything like this in New York? I have a friend with no backyard who would really like to plant and grow vegetables. What a great idea/website.
view brooklynsmall's profile
DC has community gardens too - over 30. Including one of the few remaining Victory Gardens. They are very popular and most have long waiting lists, so this is definitely a possible solution to that problem.
view hillgirl's profile
this is brilliant! i've passed this info along to my neighborhood listserve.
view scenicartisan's profile
Hey Folks!
YES there is a free yard sharing social network called http://hyperlocavore.com - Jump right in! Right now we're in the middle of The Great Let's Get Growing Seed Share, so it's the perfect time to get started.
Liz - owner/maker - hyperlocavore - a free yard sharing community - because everyone loves a homegrown tomato!
view hyperlocavore a free yard sharing community's profile
I should add, anyone from anywhere can start a yard sharing group on the site.
view hyperlocavore a free yard sharing community's profile