Community building is not simple. I see many gardens having problems with it. Over the past few years, I have realized that the best way to develop a community is to work together on projects, such as building something. A culture of collaboration develops through completing tasks together. For example, we built a pergola in the Toldy garden.

We should build a shading system over the community space because the summers are too hot. We first considered sun sails, but then we decided on pergolas. Organizing and building it was a real community effort, and not only that. It was a family project: the girls cooked pepperpot and tended to the flower and herb gardens. It ended up being a very productive day.

I find that one of the best ways to build a community is to build something together, organize an activity, and do it together. This could be building a pergola, cooking together, or tidying up the land we share.

Yesterday was a very good experience for everyone who was there. For example, we learned each other’s names.

I photographed the whole day. Here is the process: