Gardens can boost morale - consider one for your worksite.

5 Steps to Create a Company Community Garden

1. Send out questionnaire to employees to see if there is an interest in creating a company garden.
2. Create a garden committee to oversee installation and maintenance of garden.
3. Find a location on the property that is sunny most of the day with access to water.
4. Receive approval to use that space for a garden.
5. If you are located in Mecklenburg County, contact your Working Toward Wellness Representative to find resources for discounted compost soil, seeds, planting tips and tilling.

5 Steps to Creating a Container Garden

Designate specific outdoor planters as Container Gardens. Find employees that have an interest in gardening. Each interested employee should be assigned their own container or designated section to plant, maintain and harvest. Ask employees to bring in soil, seeds or plants to put into containers or Company may want to provide potting soil. Participants should be aware that if their container is not maintained it will be forfeited.

Easy to grow container plants: Basil Cabbage Chives Cucumber Parsley Patio Tomatoes Peppers – Bell or Habanera Rosemary Strawberries Oregano

Gardening in the Workplace: Adopt-a-Spot

Create competition between employees or departments by creating “Adopt-a-spot” areas. These areas may include flowers as well as produce and herbs to beautify the outdoor environment. Gardening is a wonderful team building exercise and helps improve employee moral by giving them a place of expression and ownership in their work environment. This is a great place to utilize edible landscaping.