How to set up your own urban garden and rent it out

In cities, urban gardens are experiencing an unprecedented increase. According to a survey carried out by the consultancy GEA 21 (Grupo de Estudios y Alternativas), the number of urban gardens has increased exponentially from 1. 000 in 2000 to more than 20. 000 at present. Particularly noteworthy are school, community and social gardens for therapeutic purposes, which often make use of abandoned or disused government-owned land, transforming it into ecological oases of sustainability, self-management and coexistence. These gardens aim to move towards a friendlier and more sustainable city model.

If you want to rent out your garden, it is important to prepare it properly to ensure that it is in good condition for the tenant. So here are some tips on how to fix it and prepare it.

Get the most out of your garden for rent

In order to be able to rent your orchard and to avoid any problems with the tenant in the future, it is important to carry out cleaning and care work before a first visit and the signing of the contract.

Before the tenant arrives, make sure that the garden is clean and tidy. Remove weeds, prune trees and shrubs, and clean up any areas you can.

In addition, you must:

• Prepare the soil: Make sure that the soil is well prepared for cultivation. Turn the soil and loosen the soil with a spade or plough to allow better drainage and aeration.
• Condition: Add organic matter to the soil, such as compost, manure or compost, to improve soil fertility and provide nutrients for plants.
• Irrigation and drainage: Ensure that there is sufficient access to water for irrigation and that the drainage system works properly.
• Plan the layout of the garden: Divide the garden into plots or areas so that the tenant can organise his cultivation and distribute the crops effectively.
• Determine which crops are suitable for the garden: Identify which types of crops are most suitable for the garden and which are most profitable for the tenant. Ensure that the soil and climatic conditions are suitable for the crops to be planted.

The contract

When renting your garden, it is important to draw up a rental contract that specifies the terms and conditions of the rental. There are some key aspects that cannot be missed, such as:

• Identification of the parties: The contract must include the names and addresses of the lessor (owner of the orchard) and the lessee (person who will rent the orchard).
• Duration of the contract: It is important to establish the duration of the lease, i.e. how long the tenant will have access to the garden.
• Payment of rent: The contract should state the amount of rent and the terms of payment. It is important to establish the form of payment and the due date of the rent.
• Obligations and responsibilities of the lessor and the lessee: The contract should set out the obligations and responsibilities of both parties. For example, the lessor may be responsible for maintaining the orchard and carrying out major repairs, while the lessee may be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the orchard and carrying out minor repairs.
• Return of the orchard: The contract should establish the conditions for the return of the orchard at the end of the lease. This may include the obligation of the tenant to clean the orchard and leave it in good condition.

In short, renting your vegetable garden can be a excellent way to generate additional income and promote sustainable agriculture in your community. To do this successfully, be sure to arrange and prepare your garden before renting it, establish a clear and detailed lease contract, and communicate effectively with your tenants. By following these tips, you will be able to rent your garden effectively and reap the benefits of sustainable urban agriculture.

Formalities and obligations when renting an urban vegetable garden

You have a rustic plot: You can convert it into urban gardens