Market research

At the start of our design process, we focussed on designing for community gardens. Initial research has been done on different aspects of a community garden, such as costs for water, seeds, and gardeners. This knowledge is still applicable for the gardens that we will place in care homes. Community gardens are mostly maintained by the people that pay for their individual plots. The cost for the maintenance (soil, tools, seeds) is paid by the people that rent the plot. Water is most of the times provided by the person who rents out the land. A community garden owned by a group of people usually tries to get sponsors or donations to pay for their needed tools. 

A gardener does cost on average between €30 and €60 per hour in the Netherlands excluding travelling costs. Another option is to pay the gardener a fixed amount per year or per month that is established in a maintenance contract, the cost will be around €900 per day, this includes all costs.  

The benefits of community gardens include strengthening neighbourhoods, reduce negative environmental impacts, (mental) health improvement by more physical outdoor activities and fresher food intake. 

 

How are current community gardens maintained? 

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A community garden is a piece of land that is taken care of collectively by multiple people, publicly or privately held. In a community garden, people use a shared plot or have induvial plots. When the land is divided into different plots, the different individuals or groups that use the plot take care of their plot. The other option is to have a shared area where the land is maintained by a lot of people. This type of gardening needs good rules to make it successful and divide the maintenance of the garden. 

 

The resource cost of maintaining a garden 

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In some community gardens, the maintenance cost is for the user themselves through membership dues. Others need sponsors for tools or seeds, or they get money donations.  The cost of maintaining a garden mostly depends on the size of the garden and how well it is taken care of. Some community gardens use fundraisers to get some of the money that they need. Another possibility might be selling some of the vegetables, fruits and flowers. 

 

Water

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Water is most of the times provided by the person who rents out the land. Drinking water in the Netherlands cost between 1.04 and 1.74 euros per cubic meter, depending on the exact company serving the area (Statista, 2020). For plants in the summer, it is recommended to apply about 2,5 cm of water over the surface area of the garden bed per week. That is approximately equal to 25 litres per m2. For shorter and cooler days during the spring or fall, half of the amount is recommended (University of California: Agriculture and Natural resources & de Peyste, 2014).

 

Seeds

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The cost of the seeds depends on the type of plant. But most seeds are quite cheap for a lot of seeds. When you are using the seeds together the relative price will become less.

Other needs

- Soil

- Tools

- Management 

 

How much does a gardener cost?

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A gardener who is maintaining your garden does cost on average between €30 and €60 per hour in the Netherlands (Hovenier: Kosten & Prijzen 2021 | Kosten-Hovenier.nl, 2021). This does not include the travel expenses and the materials needed to maintain the garden. The cost depends on the amount of maintenance done by the person(s) themselves and the size of the garden. The price also depends on the type of vegetation, for example when there is only grass to maintain this will take a lot less time than a bed of flowers. Another option is to pay the gardener a fixed amount per year or per month that is established in a maintenance contract, to keep the garden looking decently. When a maintenance contract is used the gardener often gives a discount because they know what they are up to, the cost will be around €900 per day, this includes all costs.  

 

What are the benefits of a community garden?

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The benefits of a community garden can be grouped into the factors influencing the social environment and factors that influence the nutritional health environment (Egli et al., 2016). Benefits of a community garden in the social environment include strengthening of neighbourhoods and maintaining social ties and interactions, the feeling of safety and neighbourhood pride (Ohmer et al., 2009). Community gardening can also be used as a method to improve neighbourhoods with social, cultural, environmental and economic conditions. 

The health benefits are caused by multiple aspects of gardening. When vegetables and fruits are cultivated the gardens provide increased access to fresh and safe foods, which can lead to an increased intake of fruit and vegetables (DeMuro, 2013).  Gardening also gives people more opportunities to increase physical and outside activity while maintaining the garden. Gardening can also contribute to better mental health and promote relaxation. Furthermore, gardening can improve dietary habits while learning about plants and therefore reduce the risk of obesity.     

Community gardens likewise help improve air quality and increase biodiversity. Another positive aspect for the environment is that the distance travelled to buy food can be reduced by growing your own food. And waste can also be reduced by introducing composting.