Welcome to this presentation entitled: Plot Style Community Gardening in Minnesota: A preparation guide for new community gardeners.
Before we discuss community gardening, it would be helpful to know what a community garden is. The American Community Garden Association defines a community garden as, “Any piece of land gardened by a group of people” (ACGA, 2009). Similarly, Gardening Matters, a local organization devoted to community gardening in the Twin Cities says, “A community garden is any space where plants are grown and maintained by a community to meet the needs of the community” (Gardening Matters, 2009).
These definitions can include many types of gardens. A neighborhood garden, also called individual or family plots is one common type of community garden. Plots are typically rented to community members over a specific time frame for a fee. These plots are used by gardeners to grow their own vegetables and ornamental plants. Community gardens can also be used as an educational tool where youth are introduced to gardening through hands on gardening activities. Organizations can create gardens for the purpose of teaching job skills by raising and selling produce. There are also gardens where volunteers work to raise produce for food pantries. Another type of community garden is a demonstration garden where various plant varieties are on display as well as different gardening methods for public inspiration. If you visit a hospital or senior center, you may see an example of a therapy garden (McKelvey, 2009). These are just a few examples of community gardens.
If you are looking for a community garden, there are several organizations that have directories on their websites or can be reached by phone to answer questions. Gardening Matters is one of these local Minnesota organizations at the website www.gardeningmatters.org (Gardening Matters, 2009). The Minnesota State Horticultural Society’s Minnesota Green Program offers resources as well and can be found at www.northerngardener.org (MSHS, 2009). At the national level, The American Community Garden Association has a webpage to visit for a garden directory and numerous community garden resources at www.communitygarden.org (ACGA, 2009). While there are numerous types of community gardens one can be involved in, this presentation is intended to focus on providing information to gardeners new to plot style community gardening, or perhaps returning gardeners that would like more information. We will be discussing rules and courtesies, plant selection, pest management, and harvest.
While community gardening can be very rewarding, there are also some challenges to consider. If you rent a plot in a community garden, there will likely be a limited space to work with. You may also be close to neighbors with varying gardening skills. Many gardens have a set of rules and guidelines to follow. These rules may limit use of fertilizers, pesticides, and plant varieties. Some other challenges community gardeners may face include pests, theft and vandalism. Limitation of water, tools, and time can be challenging. Site permanency is a challenge for the whole garden since many sites are on land that may not be available from year to year (McKleavy, 2009; Shannon, 2005).
Despite challenges, being part of a community garden provides benefits like neighborhood and community development when neighbors and organizations interact. The access of land to those without space to garden at their homes is another benefit. Additional benefits include crime prevention and cross-cultural connections. Youth can learn about gardening while participating with their family’s plot. Growing your own food is rewarding, potentially money saving, and provides nutrition. Being part of a community garden also can offer health benefits through exercise and recreation (ACGA, 2009; McKleavy, 2009).
Before you get started, it is a good idea to be aware of garden rules and practice courtesy. Read over any rules that your community garden has in place. Report neglected plots to the garden coordinator rather than taking matters into your own hands. Garden coordinators can contact people that may be neglecting their plot to learn more about each situation and resolve any issues as they arise. Avoid watering, harvesting, or cleaning neighbor plots without permission as this may lead to frustration and confusion. Also avoid allowing plants to grown into your neighbors’ plot or aisle ways. Growing tall plants or placing structures in your garden that will shade neighbor plots can also create frustration and should be avoided.
Some community gardens have tools to borrow or storage space for your own tools. Some common tools to have available include trowels, hand forks, hoes, hand pruners, garden forks, shovels, and gloves. A wheelbarrow would be a great item to share as a group to be kept onsite. Water cans or hoses may also be needed depending on the water source in the garden. This list comes from American Community Garden Associations’ publication “Top ten tools every community gardener needs.” There may be additional tools you will find useful. Consider putting these items together in one container that can easily be transported when you visit your garden plot (ACGA, 2009).
Community gardens can bring individuals, organizations, and businesses together. Share ideas with neighbors and your community garden organizer to promote community. Don’t be afraid to speak up or even organize an event yourself. An annual picnic is a great way to celebrate the garden and serve some of the harvest. This would be a great time to invite organizations and businesses that may have supported the garden. Consider sharing recipes with gardeners and stay current with any postings or newsletters. Press releases are great to promote any events your garden organizes or to encourage new members at the beginning of the season. Posting articles with pictures through the season also increases awareness. Schools may also like to be involved. An art class could create a sign for the garden or make scarecrows to display. Local artists may be interested in displaying their art as well. All of these ideas can promote awareness and make it easier to connect with businesses and organizations that may be willing to donate products and services. These ideas were adapted from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guides “Community Gardening” (Kirby & Peters, 2008). You may be inspired by these to think of new ideas for your garden.
Throughout your experience at your community garden, consider personal safety and security. Be familiar with your neighbors by attending meetings and asking questions when you don’t recognize someone. Be sure to accompany visitors to your plot. Fences can also help prevent intruders and as an additional benefit, deter animal pests. Use common sense approaches like gardening in the daylight hours and in pairs. Carrying a cell phone is also helpful in case of an emergency (McKleavy, 2009).
Soil testing is important to understand your gardens fertilizing needs and to avoid fertilizing more than necessary. Your community garden organizer may already have soil test results available for your garden. If the community garden soil has not been tested, you can have your own plot tested. Contact your local extension educator or the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory for details regarding soil testing. Also find out if a test has been done in your community garden to analyze lead content in the soil. This test is also available at the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory (Fritz, 2009; Rosen, 2002).
In addition to soil fertility and pH, the relative amount of sand, silt, and clay can be found on your soil test from the University of Minnesota. If you are familiar with growing in sandy conditions and your new plot is a clay type soil, it may be easy for you to over water. Adding organic matter to the soil can help sandy soils hold moisture and nutrients. Organic matter may also benefit clay soil by increasing pore space for optimum root growth. The percentage of organic matter already in your soil can also be found in your soil test results (Meyer, 2007).
Use your soil test to help determine any fertilizer that may be necessary in your garden. Plant nutrition is essential for optimum growth and yields. Before deciding on a fertilizer source, be familiar with the type of fertilizer allowed in your garden. Synthetic fertilizers may not be allowed in some cases. As an alternative to synthetic fertilizers, some organic fertilizer examples include blood meal, fish emulsion, manures, composts, and cover crops. Something to keep in mind is that in most vegetable garden situations, fresh manure should be composted or heat-treated prior to use. Proper processing and handling is important since fresh manure can cause health risk to humans. (Rosen & Bierman, 2007; Rosen & Bierman 2009)
You will also want to be familiar with your water source for the garden and any rules your garden may have in place. Some gardens have water tanks, like this picture from Cambridge Community Garden, while others have faucets with a steady source of water.
Be sure to check rules before setting up any type of irrigation system. Utilize mulch to hold moisture making your job easier. Avoid watering at night.. By watering early in the day, leaves have the opportunity to dry which helps to prevent disease (Barrott, 1999; Beckerman, 2004).
There are some considerations to follow when selecting plant varieties to grow in your garden plot. While most vegetable varieties will perform well, avoid plants restricted by your garden organization. This may include aggressive or invasive varieties that can grow into pathways and neighbor plots. Perennial plants that will come back the following season may be prohibited. Tall plants that shade can also create a challenge. You may want to think about including unusual vegetable varieties that are less commonly found in stores. If you have limited space available, vegetables that may be difficult to find or expensive to purchase can be a priority. Unique plants that appeal to children if you have little helpers working with you may also be fun to try. Look for varieties that produce unique colors and shapes of vegetables.
Growing plants that cross-pollinate with neighbors’ plants can be a challenge in the community garden. Sweet corn is an example. Some types of sweet corn require isolation to prevent cross-pollination that can affect the kernel flavor and texture. Shrunken supersweet, known as (sh2) types, should be 250 ft. from other sweet corn types or field corn. Isolation can also be achieved by planting at different times (Tong, 2009). This process can be difficult if you aren’t communicating with your neighbors. As mentioned earlier, tall plants should also be avoided when they will shade neighbor plots. Sunflowers, Amarathus, Corn, and plants on support structures are examples
Vine crops like watermelon, muskmelon, cucumbers, and squash can grow into neighbor plots or in pathways. Consider using support structures if this is allowed and if positioned so it won’t shade neighbors. Compact bush types of these vine crops can also be found (Naeve, 2005).
Besides bush types of vine crops, there are other varieties that will contain themselves. For example, tomatoes can be found in determinate or indeterminate types. Determinate tomato plants tend to be more compact than indeterminate. Pictured is the determinate tomato ‘Window box Roma’. Other compact varieties are available like the compact eggplant, ‘Fairy Tale’ pictured on the right.
If a compact variety is not available, consider support structures and materials. Fences and trellises can be used with pole beans, cucumbers, or squash. Varieties producing fruit less than three pounds are best. Netting can be used between stakes, on walls, or with fences and trellises. Cages and stakes are common to support tomato plants. Teepees can also be used for pole beans and cucumbers (MacKenzie, 2009).
You can find directions as shown on this slide for creating your own teepee or trellis system. Remember that some community gardens may not allow a large structure so consider rules and the location of the structure prior to installation.
This slide shows these structures in action. Large fruit like the melon shown on the left may need support when grown vertically. This is the fence structure in the center with a French Charentais melon ‘Savor”. On the right is a cucumber plant on a teepee structure.
This is a picture of an indeterminate tomato plant. As you can see, they can become very tall and can create shade!
Edible gardens can include annuals and perennials. Annuals complete their lifecycle in one year. Most vegetables traditionally grown in Minnesota gardens are annuals. Peas, corn, beans, and lettuce are all examples. There are also some perennial vegetables and small fruits. These live for more than two years. Some perennials are difficult to remove. This can create problems when plots are rotated to new gardeners. Small root pieces in the ground from horseradish and perennial mints, for example, can grow back the following year even after the plant has been removed. Check the rules at your individual community garden to determine which plants are allowed. Some gardens may not allow perennials, but others may when you are returning to the same plot year after year.
Examples of edibles that are perennial include rhubarb, horseradish, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, asparagus, some mints, chives, and other small fruits and tree fruits.
One idea for containing aggressive perennials like mint and horseradish is to use a planter above ground or sunk into the ground that can be removed at the end of the season.
Planning is important to get the most from your garden. Knowing the best date to start each plant is important to avoid frost injury. Consider the last average frost date in your city as a guideline.