I decided to try a community garden, need some help...

[Dork Fish]

As the title says, I ran out of room and decided to try a local community garden. I have no idea what the soil is like. Should I test it? Or just start amending it?

I would like to improve the soil...what should I add to it? Mushroom compost, etc?

I intend to plant 6 heirloom tomato plants. Some pole beans, squash, zucchini, etc. it is 20' x 20'

Any tips/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Andrea

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Redbaron]

By all means test it. However it is a bit late to make any big changes. By the time the results are back your plants should already be growing!

But there are some generic things you can do.

1) Incorporate some good composted organic material in the transplant holes and the squash hills before you seed.

2) Inoculate the beans as you plant the seeds to fix nitrogen.

3) Use a good compost tea (AACT) or seaweed/emulsified fish extract as foliar spray.

4) Paper and mulch the whole 20X20 area.

5) Observe closely when you work the area. Look for signs of anything that might be a problem later. For example: How many worms are in the soil? Is the soil rich and loamy? Drainage? Insects, spiders, etc... good or bad? Try to pay attention to everything.

6) Talk to the other gardeners in the community plot. They know the particular conditions there better than anyone.

7) Good luck!

[Dork Fish]

Thanks, Scott!!!

Here are the guidelines for the Community Garden...

Garden Guidelines:
By accepting this community garden plot, you agree to the following rules for the garden:
1. Gardening courtesy and communication:
One of the main goals in community gardening is to work together or next to each other in relative
harmony. Please be courteous in all interactions. Respect the peace of neighbors; no loud noise or music,
foul language or disrespectful conduct, alcohol or drug use is permitted at the Community Garden.
Smoking must be kept outside the garden area as tobacco can carry viruses which are harmful to
vegetables.
Garden managers will check plots regularly to encourage productive use
by participants.
2. Definition of a “working garden”:
A garden plot must be maintained, planted or mulched, and stay within its boundaries. Plots must not be
consistently weedy, untended or filled with debris. During the growing season, gardeners are expected to
spend at least two hours per week (on average) tending the plot.
3. Gardening Hours:
Gardening hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The use of power equipment is restricted to the hours of
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
4. What is appropriate to grow:
Vegetables, herbs, flowers and small fruit plants for home consumption and donation are appropriate. No
large structures, trees, or large collection of non-plant items are allowed. Crops must be legal and for
personal use or donation.
5. Gardening Season:
Gardeners are responsible for keeping the plot gardened, cover-cropped or mulched. For most gardeners,
the growing season will be from April or May until August or September. Some gardeners, however, will
put in early spring crops as early as February, and others may have crops growing late in the fall.
No matter what crops you decide to plant, you are responsible for basic plot maintenance. Weedy plots
are subject to warning and loss of garden privileges. Perennial crops and some annual hardy winter crops
may be over-wintered, but should be maintained.
6. Water Availability:
Water in the gardens is turned on by April 1 and shut-off by October 31.
7. Spring Preparation & Planting:

By

May 15 your garden should be in the “getting started” stage. This deadline exists to motivate our

gardeners to show that they are going to use the garden plot, and not waste it. Some garden plots are

reserved with the best of intentions, but end up not being planted. If you haven’t started preparations by
this date, there is probably someone who would be willing to take over your plot. The minimum
requirements of “getting started” include:

o

Weeding and planting; edging weeds along borders

o

Working the soil in preparation for planting

o

Harvesting of crops, if appropriate

o

Pathway clean-up

8. Summer Planting and Growing:

PLANTING: By

June 1, there should be substantial progress towards a productive garden, which includes:

o

At least half of the plot(s) worked and planted

o

Removal of remaining weeds

o

Establishing and caring for plants

o

Continued pathway maintenance

By

June 15, there should be gardening activity, and weeding throughout the entire plot. If these

deadlines are not met, you plot will be offered to the next person(s) on the waiting list and your

registration fee will be forfeited.

9. Fall Harvest and Clean-up:
Annual crops should be harvested and the plants cleaned up and composted. Garden plots should be
cover-cropped, and/or mulched around perennial plants by October 31.
10. No Garbage Service:
There is no garbage service at the Community Garden. Please keep trash and litter cleared from your plot
and take it home for disposal.
11. Garden Debris:
Garden compost bins are available for your use from mid-spring until harvest time in the fall.

Please use

these compost bins ONLY for garden debris waste (no garbage or plastic) and ONLY for

materials from the Community gardens – not from your home.

12. Pets in the Garden:
Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the garden area.
13. Plot

Registration and Fee Required Annually:

Plots are $25.00 each annually

and are not transferable without the permission of the Environmental

Commission Community Garden Committee. Gardeners are responsible for keeping addresses and phone

numbers current with the coordinator.

14. No refunds:
The garden registration fee you pay only partially covers the costs of operating the Community Garden
Program. If you give up your garden plot after you have registered or if you fail to maintain your plot and
it is transferred to another gardener, your plot fee

will not be refunded.

15. Pathways:

The Village does not mow or provide regular upkeep to the pathways or other common areas at the
Community Garden. Rather, each gardener is responsible for keeping the surrounding pathways weeded
and well tended. Your garden space may stop at the edge of your plot—but

your responsibility includes

the pathways surrounding your garden

.

Everything you plant must remain within the perimeters of the designated plots, allowing adequate space

for growth and keeping pathways clear. Allow for access within your own plot.

16. Vegetable Theft:
Any gardener reported for taking vegetables, flowers or supplies from another’s plot may have their
garden privileges revoked. Gardeners are encouraged to harvest your crop regularly to reduce the
temptation of theft by others.
17. Natural Gardening Encouraged:
Use of herbicides and/or weed killers is prohibited. Use of chemicals or propellants banned by the federal,
state, or local government, shall be grounds for forfeiture of the privilege to use the Community Garden.
Gardeners are encouraged to use natural gardening techniques. Free brochures will be available with
suggestions for natural gardening techniques.
18. Children in the Garden:
Children are encouraged to garden with their parents or grandparents, but they must stay on the paths of
their assigned garden without going through the plots of other gardeners.
19. Rodents, Other Animals and Fences:
Because rodents and other wild animals may be prevalent in the undeveloped area surrounding the
various garden sites, it will be the responsibility of the individual gardener to control these pests within
their own garden space.

Non-permanent fencing is allowed, but may not cross garden pathways.

20. Composting:

On-site composting is encouraged, but must be limited to compostable materials

produced at the

community garden site

.

21. Newspaper Mulching:

Newspaper is not allowed as a mulching agent/weed barrier. Although this may be an acceptable practice
in home-gardens, the Environmental Commission does not want complaints from other gardeners and
from area residents, about newspapers blowing around the area because they were not adequately
covered up and maintained.
22. Gleaning Program:
Often times a problem that arises with community gardens is that produce goes to waste in the field
during harvest time. We will be partnering with"" by collecting “extra” produce for
donation to the food pantry which serves approximately 200 families per week.
Gardeners wishing to participate in the “Growing & Giving” gleaning effort will be notified in advance when
to harvest what they need. Any ripe produce left in your plot will be collected, washed, chilled, prepared

and delivered to "" the next day.

[tam91]

Mushroom compost is always good.

[Redbaron]

No News Papers! Bummer! Time to roll out the cardboard or bogus paper!

[tam91]

Sams Club has a giant roll of heavy black garden cloth, you'd need the little stakes too. That works pretty well.

[Dork Fish]

Hmmm, I think I might have some...

Now I need to find some 4x4 posts.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Dork Fish]

Actually, I think I will use T- posts. They will be easier to store.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[tam91]

T-posts are great for florida weave - you'd need 4 for your 6 tomatoes in a row. You need really tall ones though for the heirloom plants. I've usually got the best deal at Farm and Fleet lately - I've got an email coupon for 13% off, I'll send it to you just in case.

[Dork Fish]

Awesome! Thank you

I have five in a row. Kind of messes things up a bit.

[tam91]

Hmmm... I'd have thought 20 feet would be perfection for 6 plants
Well I'm sure it'll work out great.

[Dork Fish]

Lol, maybe I looked at it wrong. :rolleyes: I can probably make that work.

I have to go rent a tiller today, I can't get the one a borrowed to stay running.

I do have fabric for weeds. Yeah

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[Dork Fish]

Ugh, finally finished. I planted 24 tomato plants (eye roll). I was only going to plant 12. I hope I can put 3 U posts per row instead of 4. That will save a little money.

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

[tam91]

hahaha there's always room for more

You may get away with 3 plants between each post, I haven't tried that before. I'd think the worst that would happen would be that it would sag more.

[Dork Fish]

I didn't plant cucumbers, pole beans, lettuce and Swiss chard like I wanted to. Lol maybe I should get another plot!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2