Planting a Community Garden on Your Property Line Can Bond the Neighborhood, but Comes With Hidden Risks

Imagine having easy access to fresh produce right outside your home. With a community garden, that can become your reality.

As long as you and your neighbors are on board, everyone can enjoy fresh fruits and veggies, better curb appeal, and stronger community ties. 

“Our community garden has become a green space where neighbors grow vegetables, teach community members about food and sustainability, and build a culture of self-reliance and care,” says Judi Desire of the Uptown & Boogie Healthy Project in New York City.

Once you know how to get started, the success of your community garden comes down to collaboration, thoughtful planning, and due diligence. 

How to bring up the idea 

Knocking on someone's door feels like a dated form of communication, but it can actually be a very effective way of deescalating tension before it even forms. 

Oftentimes, neighbors are discouraged by formal notices sent in the mail for proposed projects. Going the old-fashioned route and initiating the community garden conversation in person can reduce pushback and set a collaborative tone. 

Barry E. Janay, owner and president of the Law Office of Barry E. Janay in Livingston, NJ, recommends bringing a gift like a pie, some wine, some chocolates or something else to show that you mean well and break the ice. 

If a knock on the door doesn't work, texts or emails are your next best options. 

“Given the ‘community’ goal, I recommend inviting all potentially affected neighbors to an informal meeting to discuss the project and a possible partnership,’ said Joseph Brickman, real estate attorney at Williams Teusink LLC in Atlanta.

Once you have a few neighbors in front of you, focus on the benefits of a community garden as that’s what will ultimately sell them—not the logistics. After all, most people are going to be more interested in fresh produce and lower grocery bills than garden layouts and property lines. 

Dividing initial costs and ongoing labor

The division of cost and labor can get complicated but as long as everyone is excited about the garden and committed to contributing, the project can move forward with minimal disputes. 

Ideally, all neighbors would split the initial costs like soil, raised beds, fencing, seeds, and irrigation supplies evenly.

As far as labor is concerned, try to divide tasks based on what each neighbor enjoys and how they want to contribute. For example, one neighbor might prefer planting while another would be better off building raised beds. 

“When a neighbor is tasked with something they actually enjoy, the chance of them following through is much higher, " says Ben Mizes, real estate agent and president at Clever Real Estate in St. Louis. 

No matter what you decide, make sure it’s in writing and everyone has a copy of the plan of action. A maintenance schedule in a spreadsheet can ensure all neighbors understand their role and what’s expected of them.

Steps to implement a community garden

Once you get the green light from your neighbors and home in on costs and responsibilities, follow these steps to bring your community garden to life:

Verify local zoning regulations and HOA rules

First and foremost, you need to make sure that both your HOA and local zoning codes allow the use of a community garden on your property. 

“If you're planning on building the garden along your property line, you also want to make sure your adjacent neighbor agrees with your assessment of the shared boundary line,” says Brickman. 

Additionally, you’ll need to ensure you aren't violating any required setbacks or minimum distance requirements for new structures you might want to build like fences or greenhouses. 

Lastly, if you live in an HOA, check its bylaws. Some HOAs prohibit garden beds around houses so it’s important to do your homework. Reach out to the board if you have any questions or need clarity.

“In the event a garden is allowed, you may need to get permission to break setback rules for structures in the garden. If that's the case, garnering neighbors' support becomes even more important, as local zoning boards often consult with those neighbors in making their decision,” adds Brickman.

Survey the property line

The next step is to get a survey done of your property line. Don't trust your neighbor’s opinion or a fence or hedge.

“A professional survey from a licensed surveyor is essential to determine your exact property line and reduce the risk of disputes and legal issues,” explains Janay.

Call 811 

Before you dig or plant anything in your garden, call 811.

“It’s a free service that will mark out the location of underground utilities like electrical, phone, cable, water, and sewer, so that you don’t plant anything on top of them,” says Janay. 

Choose the right crops

Now comes the fun part! The best crops for a community garden are easy to grow, high-yielding, and appeal to most people in the community. 

Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, beans, peppers, lettuce, and herbs are good bets, but again, make sure to have a conversation with your neighbors to decide on what you all would like.