Community gardens are about to enter full bloom, and their organizers say they need volunteers to help sustain them.
More and more of these neighborhood-led gardens are sprouting around Tulsa. They offer free and healthy food alternatives, as well as an outdoor hobby for the warming weather. It can be challenging to get one started, though, and usually takes a dedicated group to keep it growing.
“Nobody does this if they don’t have a passion for it — for people, for food, for medicine. That’s just part of it,” said Tearria Sanders, garden coordinator at Kendall Whittier’s Tipton Community Garden.
Here’s our guide to Tulsa’s community gardens.
What is a community garden?
Each one looks different, but the overarching idea is a shared space for you and your neighbors to grow your own food. Many have open hours where you “take what you need, do what you can,” Sanders says.
Some require you to reserve a specific plot of land, while others are open to anyone. Some have raised beds while others do not. You might need to chip in a few dollars for upkeep while others are funded by nonprofits and grants.
Where can I find one near me?
The Flyer has gathered a list of active community gardens around Tulsa. If you know one and don’t see it on this list, please reach out at libby@tulsaflyer.org.
How do I get a garden in my neighborhood?
To start, you need land. Sanders says their lot was donated to Kendall Whittier Inc. in 2014 specifically to become a garden. At Terra-Rose Arbaugh’s garden near the Red Fork neighborhood in west Tulsa, the city received grants to start it at Challenger 7 Park years ago.
Next, you need water. Fletcher Stewart, president of the Crosbie Heights’ Neighborhood Association, says their garden suffered without a water line. They tried a water reclamation system, but everything still died in the Oklahoma heat. Without a nonprofit, they’re using city funds from the Vibrant Neighborhoods Partnership to install a water line in the coming weeks.
Quality raised beds can be easier to get if you have the ability to apply for grants to purchase them, often through a nonprofit. As for seeds, Arbaugh can usually tap into her network and find donated seeds. She also recommends ChipDrop for mulch, which can get expensive, or you can visit the City of Tulsa’s free mulch site.
How can I help?
Sanders, Arbaugh and Stewart all mentioned a growing need for volunteers. The Kendall Whittier garden uses GivePulse, which allows students to sign up for time at the garden and get credit. CrossWind Community Garden in Broken Arrow also takes student volunteers, according to Brenda Nickels, who oversees the garden.
Visiting nearby schools can be great for networking and getting people involved, Sanders says. Tabling at the Tulsa Farmers’ Market also helped.
Arbaugh runs hers on her own, but she’d love having some extra hands. It can be expensive to start a garden from scratch and she hopes people will utilize their west Tulsa space. Stewart says their work days usually see high turnouts and welcomes anyone to their garden.
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