Now that you have a plan, the next step is to design your garden.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. START SMALL. This is so important! Aim for what Stephen calls "small concentric circles of success." Don't be overly ambitious in the size of your garden if you're new to gardening. Less is more when you're just starting out. As you progress and your garden increases size, you'll be able to look back on how far you've come and be proud of your accomplishments.
2. DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST.This tip applies to a few different areas. First, if you're growing somewhere where you'll be planting directly in the ground, research the area where you'll be planting. What was there before? This is important for urban gardens especially, because you want to be aware of any possible chemical contamination of the soil. Similarly, when choosing a site for your garden, think about all the variables that will affect the growing environment: what kind of exposure does the garden site get? Is there adequate drainage? Is fencing a good idea to prevent furry friends from raiding your garden? Do you need permits to work on this site? Investing a little extra time at the outset to research before you start will pay off in the end.

This section will help guide you through designing your new community garden.