| Research was based on two national community garden surveys. The first survey measured community gardener social, demographic, and educational backgrounds. The second survey of community garden coordinators measured educational delivery systems and garden management.;Organized community gardens that use combined social and written information educational methods have significantly large garden sizes, more plots per families, more garden volunteers, higher numbers of returning gardeners, and lower percentages of abandoned plots. Organized gardens that use social interactive methods have a higher percentage of lower income gardeners. Availability of land for expansion, permanency, availability of educational materials, personnel to manage, and continuous funding are important factors contributing to successful community gardening programs.;Social interactive models are recommended for promoting and enhancing successful urban gardening programs in Sub-Saharan African countries. However, any successful project must consider socio-economic, cultural, and ecological conditions in the target areas. National governments, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies could contribute to the development of gardening programs.;Methods used to educate and recruit community gardeners are largely influenced by demographic factors, socio-economic status, educational background, and community garden organization. Social interactive methods were the most important in recruiting and educating low-income, uneducated, older, Hispanic-American, and African-American gardeners. Younger educated gardeners prefer written information methods. |
