(McGlone et al. 1999, Glover 2004; see also DeLind 2003 for a critique of a different type
of community-based food initiative). Community gardens have a long history and heritage
(Irvine et al. 1999), which dates back to the nineteenth century and the upsurge in allotment
gardening in England and potato patches in the USA. That said, it is generally accepted that
interest in the contemporary community garden movement originated from the 1970s
onwards, much of it starting in North America (Pudup 2008). Through their long history,
community gardens have evolved and their definition has become somewhat unclear.
Multiple meanings are often ascribed to them by organisers and participants.