What is a Corporate Garden?
Since the pandemic, so many of us have worked from home, spent more time with our roommates or family unit — maybe too much time, maybe so much time that we’ve retreated into some pretty fun “new” hobbies. Many of those hobbies will be gone as the return of office is nigh. Knitting during a conference call, perfecting your eggplant parm recipe during your weekly breakdown, or reading a romance novel in bed, taking breaks between chapters to make love to some spreadsheets — all of that may be ending. But one hobby should stay, right? and that hobby is gardening. A corporate garden is a place at or around the office where fruits and vegetables can be grown. It has many benefits. Here’s three right now:
Physical activity is a much needed change of pace from most desk jobs. It’s known that the more one stays still, the more likely they are to develop health risks such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety… I’m feeling it just talking about it. Substituting 30 minutes of inaction with light activity can improve health, give employees a reason to come into work, and also, lest we forget: an apple a day keeps the health care cost away.
Working together on something other than work can create a more equal and relaxed work environment between all levels of the org chart. The tensions of the office can be healed, just throw a little dirt on it.
Through a corporate garden, there is an opportunity to improve the community and act as a beacon for good business. A harvest can be donated to a local food bank or bolster the snack section for clients, the green space can be a place for people to gather and bond, and the social network pages will have something new to post.
I know. You’re sold already. Here’s what you need to do to make it happen.
Pitch the idea.
Bring up the benefits to your coworkers and managers ( feel free to share this article, too!). Decide your opt in and opt out policy. Who will work the garden? Will the space be communal or will everyone have their own plot? Where will the food go when it’s finished?
Pick the location. Does your campus have any uncontaminated green space? An unused rooftop? Maybe there is a way to get a raised garden bed planter in that corner office with all the light? Ok, that might be hard, but everyone wants that office anyway, so why can’t everyone have it!
Create a schedule. Once there is a dedicated space, there needs to be a dedicated time. How will you rotate the work? What are the logistics of people changing clothes and getting back to work? What happens over the weekend? If it seems too daunting, dial it back. Even having a few tomatoes or a company watermelon can still be rewarding.
Have fun!
If staying motivated starts to become a problem, remember to keep it light and enjoyable. Consider naming the plant or garden each year, giving awards for which department has the best green thumb, and so on. Stay engaged and stay creative!
We are all entrepreneurs because, in some way or another, we believe in a better tomorrow. So remember this great quote as you go on your way: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” -Audrey Hepburn
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