Welcome to the Growing Community Toolkit!
The Growing Community Toolkit is a free resource for community groups and volunteers in Sussex. It’s created by community volunteers to provide the accurate and practical information you need to set up and run a community group or community garden. You’ll find everything from getting insurance to growing carrots!
We’ve organised the Toolkit into subject areas, or ‘modules’, to make it easier to find what you’re looking for. You can also use the search tool in the menu bar above. The Toolkit is aimed at groups working outdoors, in public spaces and community gardens (although everyone is welcome) and is supported by live events and workshops. Join our mailing list to be notified of new content and events or contact us if you have any questions. We’ve got more live workshops coming soon – watch this space!
Online resources
Fruit trees and community orchards
Choosing fruit trees for community orchards or private gardens; winter and summer fruit tree pruning; understanding rootstocks, cultivars and fruit tree forms.
Planting trees in community spaces
This module is about planting trees in public spaces and brings together local experience, combined with advice from experts. Although the information relates to East Sussex, a lot of it applies to the UK as a whole. If you’re thinking of planting a tree in your garden, we hope you’ll also find it useful!
Setting up and running a community group
This module covers key topics to help you get started, including legal structures for community groups, essential policies and procedures, fundraising strategies, and where to find additional support.
Mental health friendly communities
Workshops and resources to foster understanding around mental illness and how to make everyone feel safe, welcomed and supported in their volunteering roles.
Water and watering
Covers key topics such as collecting rainwater, planning for efficient water use, tips for watering wisely, reducing watering needs, making the best use of mains water and drought resistant plants.
Helping wildlife in community gardens & public spaces
Covers key topics such as: an introduction to biodiversity, creating mini meadows, wildlife-friendly plants and where to go for more information.
Tools and equipment
This module includes a masterclass on keeping your gardening tools sharp and clean, as well as information on a new gardening tools lending library.
Getting people involved
This module looks at how to recruit and retain volunteers, as well as how and where to publicise your group and activities.
Growing vegetables, herbs and soft fruit in community spaces
Everything about how to grow vegetables, herbs and fruit in community spaces or in your garden.
Compost, soil, fertilizers and growing in raised beds
This module is all about compost and composting, understanding soil, soil additives and how to grow successfully in raised beds.
Finding, understanding and protecting your space (in development)
Module covers: land ownership; understanding a site in terms of sun, shade, wind etc; how to protect your space in the long term.
Looking after your space (in development)
This module will cover how to look after your space: keeping your site and volunteers safe; making sure tasks get done; daily, monthly and yearly planning; how to run a workshop or session.
Plant profiles (in development)
This module will help you with ‘right plant right place’. Master horticulturalist Dan Ori will share his top plants for local conditions, as well as advising where to go for more information and how to purchase plants ethically. (Content in development)
The Growing Community Toolkit is led by GIA (Gardening In Action) CIC. Our thanks to the Sussex Community Development Association Making It Happen and the Lewes District Community Fund for supporting this project
