Successful strategies and barriers to community gardening in metro Atlanta, Georgia

Abstract

Community gardens (CGs) promote personal and community health by creating access to fresh produce and strengthening communities. CGs can vary by purpose, organizational structure, size, crops and role in the community. Successful strategies and barriers to viable CGs are not well‐understood. This research characterizes CGs in two urban counties in Atlanta, Georgia. A list of CGs was compiled from information provided by key stakeholders, and solicitations for information to CG leadership were made. School‐based and therapy gardens were excluded. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of garden leaders to better understand the (1) relationship of the garden and community, (2) barriers to feasibility and accessibility of the CG, (3) successful strategies (4) motivating factors for garden creation and involvement, and (5) elements that keep CGs sustainable. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. Benefits and purposes of CGs vary by community. CGs foster access to fresh food, knowledge and community connections. Primary barriers to creating and sustaining CGs are leadership constraints, reliable access to natural resources and unclear regulations. Better characterizing urban CGs leads to greater understanding of their benefits, tips for creating and sustaining CGs and leveraging CGs to promote personal and community health.