I've come across a community garden that seems to have been abandoned. Earlier in the year, there were some plots planted, but now they're overgrown, and a lot of the vegetables are either ripening or falling to the ground to rot. I want to know—should I step in and pick them, or is that a social faux pas? What's the right thing to do?
3 Answers
I wouldn’t just assume it’s abandoned, though. It might look overgrown, but sometimes people still tend to gardens with minimal effort. If you notice there’s no signage at all and nobody knows about the garden, that could be a hint. Just be cautious before you clear it out completely.
I’ve worked at a couple of community gardens, and honestly, if no one’s taking care of those plants, it’s perfectly fine to step in and harvest some! In many cases, garden organizers would be relieved that someone is using the food, especially since unharvested veggies can attract rodents. People do abandon plots sometimes for various reasons, and usually, that's when the produce is ripe. So feel free to treat it like it’s your plot—harvest and even do some weeding if you want! We’ve donated abandoned plots to food banks, so it’s definitely encouraged.
If you're really sure no one’s taking care of it anymore, then go for it! I wouldn’t want good food to go to waste either. Just make sure you’re not stepping on anyone’s toes—if you think there’s a chance it’s still being maintained, maybe leave a note or something to check.