🌱 Lend & Tend: Ground Rules, Risks, and Getting Started

Welcome to garden-sharing! Here’s everything you need to know to get started safely, confidently, and with a touch of fun.

📜 Ground Rules

Age Requirement: Lenders and Tenders must be 18 or older.
Ownership & Agreements:

  • Garden Lenders: Decide how, when, and to whom you lend your space.

  • Garden Tenders: Choose how, when, and where you contribute.

  • ✍️ Draft an agreement: Include visitation rules, expectations, garden plans, project goals, how long your garden sharing terms last and should be signed by both parties: Lender and Tender. (Suggested template agreements* are available once your Lend and Tend Patch-Match has been processed.)

  • Respect Boundaries:

  • No access to gardens or properties without prior consent.

  • All terms are agreed privately between Lenders and Tenders.

    • Lend and Tend or associated gardeners/ garden Tenders are not under any obligation to provide garden Lenders with permanent gardening service(s) for any limited time, other than what the garden ‘Tender’ and a ‘Lender’ mutually agree privately..

⚠️ Garden-Sharing Risks

🛡 Safeguarding Tips

  • 📧 Connect Safely: Start with an email, phone/video call before meeting in person.

  • 👯‍♂️ Bring a Buddy: Meet your Patch-Match with a friend/family member/ partner during initial visits. Your buddy can always help you suss out if garden sharing's going to be right for you.

  • 🔒 Stay Protected: Lend and Tend is not liable for loss, damage, or injury. Check your insurance for adequate coverage.

🚧 Hazard Awareness

  • 🏡 Lenders:

    • Clear your garden of hazards like glass or seek professional advice for safety if harmful materials are present (e.g., buried asbestos). Please clear dog mess.

    • Ensure tools and equipment are safe to use.

  • 🌱 Tenders:

    • Follow product guides for tools and equipment. If unsure, don’t use it.

    • 🧤 Wear gloves, goggles, and knee pads as needed.

⏳ Getting Ready

  • 🕰 Be Patient: Patch-Matching can take time. Matches are more likely in residential areas, but you can help spread the word by sharing our posters or talking to your community!

  • 🔒 Your Information: We respect your privacy. Share only what you’re comfortable with (e.g., accessibility needs) to help us find the best match.

  • 📆 Trial First: Start with a 2-4 week trial to test compatibility before committing to a longer-term garden-sharing project.

❓ FAQs

1️⃣ How much does it cost?

  • Registration is Free!

  • £24/year for all inclusive annual membership.

    • Or £12/per single Patch-Match

    • Or £12/per single Featured Post

  • People in receipt of pension or universal credit can receive a concessional membership.

  • 🌟 Pay it forward: Gift a membership are available £24/year to someone in need or donate to support our concessions.

2️⃣ Who pays for tools and supplies?

  • 🤝 It’s up to you! Discuss who covers costs for new tools, seeds, or plants. Most Tenders bring seeds, while Lenders often have basic tools like mowers.

3️⃣ How do we split the harvest?

  • 🥒 🍎 Decide together! Write it into your agreement or keep it casual. Just be clear to avoid misunderstandings.

4️⃣ Where can I Lend or Tend?

  • 🌍 Check our map to see garden-sharing locations—from Aberdeen to Adelaide!

5️⃣ How long will it take to get Patch-Matched?

  • ⏱ Matching can take weeks, months, or more depending on availability in your area. Help by sharing Lend & Tend with others in your community!

  • We have posters you can print to put up in your local community's cafes, libraries and places of interest to help so you can spread the word, but old fashioned world of mouth is very helpful too. 

🌻 Why Garden-Share?

  • 🤝 Build stronger, greener communities.

  • 🐝 Protect wildlife and support sustainability.

  • ❤️ Enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of gardening.

  • 🌎 50% of our profits go to community and environmental charities.

Most of all, we’re for nature and our neighbourhoods. Lend and Tend also aims to raise awareness about protecting wildlife, and our environment and securing our future food sources. 

We’ll also donate 50% of our profits to charities and organisations that support the communities where we work.

Let’s support nature and our neighbourhoods —one garden at a time.

🌍 Check the Map | 💌 Contact Founder Joyce Veheary: Joyce@lendandtend.com