Building a Garden (with no support funds)

Guidelines for Establishing the Garden

The Plots
The garden plots will be done in planter bed format. The soil in this lot is just too poor for planting directly into the ground. The plot building dimensions are set by the garden design. Sizes include 4'x4', 2'x7', 2'x10', and 2'x11'. Planter boxes will be a minimum of 1’ tall (recommended) and a maximum of 3’. Boxes taller than 1’ will have adjusted vertical growing limits such that they do not shadow nearby boxes. Boxes taller than 1’ must be approved by garden leaders. Boxes are to be built from wood, unless previously approved by garden leaders.

The usual standard is to charge garden members an annual fee to cover the cost of maintenance, etc. Instead, garden members be asked to cover the cost of your planter bed. The garden will continue to operate this way until all the planter beds on the design are built, then we'll begin an annual fee.

Planter boxes need be filled with a mixture of 1/3 blended compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 coarse vermiculite. It's the perfect combination for a program called Square Foot Gardening (SFG). Garden members will not be required to SFG, though it is recommended based on garden space. Garden leaders can help members to find sources for these materials.

The Design
Plots will be assigned in consideration of 1. the needs of the gardener and 2. the overall design of the garden. Plots near the western edge will be assigned first. The perimeter of the garden is going to be used for a rose garden and a butterfly garden, assuring good pollination of garden plots. The garden will be developed as indicated by the garden proposal.