Growing Food for People in Need

Common Good
Gardens 

A Garden with a Purpose

​The Common Good Gardens mission is to grow and deliver fresh vegetables and fruits to people in need, to improve the nutritional quality of food available to the needy, and to educate the public about gardening by, including but not limited to, sharing gardening expertise and providing hands-on experiences.
 
Common Good Gardens: Growing Food for People in Need.
 
​The all-volunteer gardens were founded in 2002 by passionate gardeners who wanted to benefit others by providing fresh, naturally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs for those in need on the shoreline. Dedicated gardeners, drivers, farm stands, and the Grace Episcopal Church make this all possible. Our produce, along with donations from farm stands, is delivered weekly to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries for distribution. The Common Good Gardens, located behind the Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, is dedicated to the common good.

The Garden Today

The Common Good Gardens remains true to the founder's vision, is a vibrant and ever-evolving place. Gardening practices are developed and refined by the most current and qualified information available. The Ways We Do Things are refreshed by the ideas and energies of our new and veteran volunteers.  The Common Good Gardens is a learning place – a place to grow in and with.
What's Changed?
  • New gardening spaces: The garden now encompasses over ½ acre, including a large blueberry garden and raised beds.
  • A programable drip irrigation system has been installed.
  • A large 22-bin compost area has been created.  The bins are carefully layered with nitrogen and carbon-rich natural materials, rotated, and watered to encourage microbial action. The result is fertile soil rich with organic matter.
  • An enhanced web presence. Facebook now compliment the Garden's website.
How We Have Grown?
  • We make all our deliveries to Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantries locations.
  • We grow over 20 vegetable varieties.
  • In an average year we harvest, collect and donate about 18,000 pounds of produce.
  • We apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practices to manage and deter pests.
  • We remain a no till garden. This continues to protect our soil’s structure.
  • We regularly test the soil and implement any recommendations.

Find us on Facebook, @CommonGoodGardensOS