FAQs
How can we recruit volunteers for our garden project?
We are here to help you recruit volunteers. Write us a message in the Contact Us section of our website and we'll help you out. We also recommend checking out our Facebook Page if you are looking for volunteers.
How should I determine what plants belong in my garden?
The plants that are best for your garden depend on the climate of the area your garden is in. Israel has a wide variety of climates. Here are some sites that should help you figure out what plants are best for your garden and what time of year you should plant them.
How can I spread word about my garden to the public?
Check out the Maintaining Your Garden section for more information on how to promote your garden. We also recommend posting about your garden on social media. We have a Facebook Group where you can promote your garden and we would love to have you join.
Where can I sign up to volunteer at a garden?
Fill out this form on our website to sign up to volunteer. We are excited that you want to help out!
Where can I buy crops \ seeds to plant?
Before you buy, we'd advise you to try the free version first :).
Check if there is a seed bank in your community and ask your gardening peers for seeds and plants. If you do not have a community seed bank, maybe it's time to start one! We recommend you ask for seeds / plants from other community garden members close to your location. In order to locate nearby gardens, use the search bar on our map here . Another option is taking advantage of the local municipality's services. In some municipalities, plants and seeds are distributed to gardens seasonally. If you can not find who your local officials are, contact us .
How do I find a good spot for a community garden?
After gathering a group of people who want to create the garden with you, you should contact the municipality. They have a planning and mapping department and city officials can take you on a tour of potential spots for your garden. Make sure to check out several options.
What are the responsibilities of the municipality in the garden?
The local government should help provide water and land for your garden. They additionally should help clean up weather damage and remove stray branches. The municipality should also provide pesticides and aid in pest / fire ant removal. They should help with fencing (if required), electricity, and signage. They can also serve as a good partner for local initiatives like neighborhood-based DIY workshops, story telling events, etc.
How can we create a budget for our community garden?
Your community garden can fund its operations by having membership fees (we recommend yearly dues). You can also charge entrance fees to events in order to fund other community operations.
Suggested budget for garden foundation:
Watering computer & system 600 NIS
Dripping irrigation pipes 1500 NIS
Gardening tools 800-1200 NIS
Seeds and plants 3000 NIS
Haven't managed to gather all that money? Try to use free resources and contact a local official in your municipality. Also, feel free to give us a call.
There are many pests that damage our crops. Are there any biological methods to eliminate their damage or control their behavior?
There are a variety of pests that can harm plants in gardens. We describe how to handle a few of them below. Feel free to contact us if you have more questions.
Aphids are a type of bug that weakens plant growth. They can be treated by physically removing them with your hands or by being sprayed with water. Spraying plants with essential oils may protect them as well. For more info click here .
Mice and rats can also be an issue in gardens. Luckily, cats are natural predators of them. Introduce a cat in your garden or provide a bowl of water that will attract cats in order to deal with mice and rats. If there are mice in your compost, something about your compost is not working correctly. Compost should be hot enough to deter mice and cockroaches.
If birds are eating the crops you're growing, a good old-fashioned scarecrow should do the job of keeping them away.
How often should I water the plants in my garden?
The irrigation process depends on seasons, types of soil, types of crops, and the size of the plots.
* The numbers represent the calculated water consumption per garden. Units = X liters per squared meter each day
In Summertime *
Coastal Plain- grass & fruit trees: 3, flowers & vegetables- 4.5, bushes and ornamental trees- 1.5
Hashfela Region- grass & fruit trees: 3.5, flowers & vegetables- 5, bushes and ornamental trees- 1.5
Mountainous and Central Region: grass & fruit trees- 4, flowers & vegetables- 6, bushes and ornamental trees- 2
The Negev and Hot Valleys Regions- grass & fruit trees- 4.5, flowers & vegetables- 6.5, bushes and ornamental trees- 2
Arava & Eilat- grass & fruit trees- 7, flowers & vegetables- 11, bushes and ornamental trees- 3.5
In Fall / Springtime *
Coastal plain- grass & fruit trees- 2 flowers & vegetables- 3, bushes and ornamental trees- 1
Hashfela region- grass & fruit trees- 2.5, flowers & vegetables- 3, bushes and ornamental trees- 1
Mountainous and central region- grass & fruit trees- 3, flowers & vegetables- 4.5, bushes and ornamental trees- 1.5
The Negev and hot valleys regions- grass & fruit trees- 3, flowers & vegetables- 4.5, bushes and ornamental trees- 1.5
Arava & Eilat- grass & fruit trees- 5, flowers & vegetables- 8, bushes and ornamental trees- 2.5
How Often Should You Water?
In the hot summer days of July - August 12-15 min. 3 times a day.
In other summer days- 10 min., 3 times a day
In fall / spring- 10-15 min., Once or twice a day
As we go towards the winter, we recommend you switch to 20-30 min. once a day.
How can I prevent and recover from vandalism in the garden?
Graffiti:
Prevention: Have an artistic element in your garden so people do not feel a need to vandalize it. If the garden is family-owned, we recommend having signs on the garden plots that say which family they belong to. When someone sees that a plot is privately owned they will be less likely to vandalize it.
Recovery: If there is a graffiti problem in your garden, embrace it! We recommend you give a space for people to paint and create art in your garden. This way the garden will not be vandalized and everyone will be happy. Use social media to explain the garden rules and inform people of the issue.
General Damage:
Prevention: Use signs labeling herbs and plants. When people see these belong to someone they will be less likely to intentionally harm them.
Recovery: Tell everyone in the community what happened. The community can band together to help make up for the damaged property. Additionally, use social media to let people know what's happening. If people are aware of a vandalism problem, they will be on the lookout for it and be more proactive in preventing it.
How can I prevent and recover from theft in the garden?
Theft of Food:
Prevention: Use signs in Hebrew, Arabic, and English emphasizing that while the garden is public, only the garden activists should harvest the crops. You can also assign a shared plot to visitors, so they can pick food freely.
Recovery: Try to grow more than you need in the next season in anticipation of potential future thefts. We also recommend you grow more in the public shared plot section. Use social media to explain the garden rules and inform people of the issue.
Theft of Tools and Equipment:
Prevention: Create a designated space to place tools. Use several locks to keep the tools safe. Make sure whoever is last to leave does a sweep around the garden to check for tools that are left out.
Recovery: Contact the municipality and explain what happened. They may be able to help provide tools. Use your garden's budget to buy new tools. You should also use social media to explain the garden rules and inform people of the issue.
What species are invasive to Israel?
Invasive species are organisms that have deviated from their natural dispersion due to human action, intentionally or unintentionally. By spreading, invasive species can harm ecological systems.
Since each plant has a function to play in nature, we will NOT recommend you uproot them all. However, if invasive species are stealing your vegetables' water or causing rashes, you may want to uproot them. Here is the SPNI guide to invasive species in Israel.
How do I build a community around the garden?
First, focus your efforts on locating activists to create the starting group. Garden activists can be found on social media networks, geographical networks (local WhatsApp groups or physical boards), at institutions, and in service-based networks.
Secondly, knock on some physical and virtual doors. Make a list of people who are interested in joining your community garden initiative and reach out. Make sure you know the local behavior code / culture beforehand.
Thirdly, schedule an introductory meeting inviting the people on the list, city officials, experienced gardeners, and a social worker if required. In these meetings, you can create a vision for your garden, your garden's mission, and a plan for the year. We recommend you take inspiration from successful local / national community gardens that you personally enjoy.
Then assign members roles in the community garden based on their strengths. Some example roles are garden coordinator, watering coordinator, event manager, graphic designer, treasurer, cleaning leader, arts & crafts coordinator, DIY leader.
Lastly, work together! If you are looking for more tips about maintaining a community you can find some here . If you are interested in taking a community management course click here .