As part of Arlington’s ongoing sustainability efforts, we’re focusing attention on urban agriculture. Nothing defines fresh and local like growing produce in your own backyard or in a community garden.
Community gardens provide many unique benefits to urban residents.
- These gardens provide a catalyst for neighborhood and community development.
- They stimulate social interaction and encourage self-reliance, while adding beauty to our neighborhoods.
- It’s also a place to teach your children about the earth and growing things and reduces our carbon footprint.
- Community gardeners can produce nutritious food that helps reduce their family food budget.
- Many gardeners also donate produce to local food assistance programs.
- Self-reliance, physical health and strong communities are just some of the things that can be grown in a community garden.
Practicing green gardening, like composting, planting native plants and eco-friendly lawn care, is also an important part of sustainable living. Not only do green gardening practices help create a beautiful landscape that’s a vital part of your home and community, but they can save you money by reducing energy consumption and improve the quality of our local streams.