Questions to consider:
Plan a Ground-Breaking Day celebration!
Invite the community to help build the garden. Make it a fun event with food, refreshments, and music!
Experiment with different varieties!
Consider growing costly vegetables that you might not usually buy.
Plant foods that grow well in Maricopa County
It is important to consider the climate and soil when determining your crop
Plant according to the season
Use our Vegetable Planting Calendar as a resource
Get the community involved in every step of the way, a thriving garden needs constant support from the people that use it.
Grants, in-kind donations of materials, and other resources help your community maintain the garden.
Careful planning, decision-making, and leadership is important to making your garden successful!
Identify the people who will be involved in the garden, involve them in the planning process to build their commitment to the project, and encourage them to contribute their strengths.
Use it to educate students and families about nutrition and encourage them to eat more fruits and vegetables. Incorporate gardening into topics like science, math, problem-solving, and teamwork. Provide school lunch ingredients from sanitarian-approved gardens, provide donations for food banks or families in need. Tie gardening to health, nutrition and wellness. Get the community involved - create a gathering plate and point of pride! Use the produce you grow for taste testings.
This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP through the AZ Health Zone. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information in its programs and activities.
