Proposed Garden Plan

Proposed Garden Plan for 1314 10th street

The plan allows for 924 square feet of planting space, broken down into
a. 16 boxes measuring 4’x4’
b. 2 boxes measuring 2’x7’
c. 6 boxes measuring 2’x10’
d. 10 boxes measuring 2’x11’

The design includes 1 parking area measuring 9’x22’ for unloading materials along the east edge of the property (alley). As budget allows, this area will be filled in with gravel materials.

The design includes 1 area for compost and water storage measuring 7’x10’. Compost will be held in 2 bins set in series; one bin will be used for holding composting materials while one bin will remain empty for turning materials into. Compost will be available for use in 1314 10th street as it is available; composting materials will be accepted into the active bin if the materials measure less than 4’ from the ground.

The design incorporates fencing along the west (10th street walkway) edge of the property in one continuous piece. Fencing is also called for along the northern edge as appropriate to the residence in place currently, the compost area, and the parking area; due to budget constrictions initial fence build may be limited by priority. The priority, from highest concern to lowest concern is the west edge of the property, the compost boundaries, the parking lot boundaries, and finally the north edge of the property.

The plan for the garden will need to occur in phases:
Phase I: Necessary lot improvement.
Phase II: Assignment and plot indicators.
Phase III: Remaining lot improvement.

These three phases will result in an ongoing maintenance status of the garden as outlined by the garden membership guidelines and garden leaders.

Phase I: Necessary Lot Improvement
1314 10th will require three basic lot improvements, in order of priority: installation of a fence at the western end of the property; leveling of high and low ground to eliminate water pooling; weed/plant removal as decided by garden leaders.
Phase I: Plan for Accomplishment
Fence: Donors have been secured for the purchase of fencing materials. Garden leaders will secure any necessary permitting for the fence installation and oversee installation. A current section of fencing exists on the western edge of the property; this fencing section will guide the selection of new fencing (featuring wood slats, 8 ft sections, and open back facing the interior of the lot).
Ground Leveling: Garden leaders will oversee the leveling of the lot. Any funds remaining from fence installation will be used to cover the cost of mechanical levelers. Additional funds may be sought from neighborhood donors to allow for the use of mechanical levelers. If funds are not available to fund mechanical levelers, leveling will be done by hand before any construction of planter boxes.
Weed/plant removal: Plants in the lot only need removal from surface level, no roots need to be removed. Before the construction of planting boxes, plants will be trimmed to ground level and debris removed from the property to proper disposal. Trimming will be done by physical means only, no herbicides will be used to “kill off” plant life prior to removal. Ongoing trimming/removal of plants outside of the garden plan will also be done by physical means only.

Phase II: Assignment and Plot Indicators.
The plan allows for 924 square feet of planting space, broken down into
a. 16 boxes measuring 4’x4’
b. 2 boxes measuring 2’x7’
c. 6 boxes measuring 2’x10’
d. 10 boxes measuring 2’x11’
Garden leaders will work with neighborhood residents to assign boxes based on the growing needs of residents. Boxes on the western edge of the lot will be assigned first, eastern edge lots assigned last. Boxes will be constructed according to the Garden Membership guidelines, using materials provided by garden leaders and members. During the initial year of garden development, boxes will only be constructed if assigned to a resident.
Water will be a necessary addition to the lot. Due to the lack of a water tap present in the lot and the distance from any working tap to the lot, rain collection barrels will be placed within the lot for garden use.

Phase III: Remaining lot improvement.
Remaining lot improvement includes all remaining fencing, in priority order as stated above, gravel loading/unloading area at eastern edge of lot, additional planting box construction, the addition of ‘walkway’ materials (such as mulch, grasses, creeper ground coverings, or recycled plastics covering) between planter boxes, and installation of water spigot.

Once all three phases of the garden development have been completed, the garden will move from development to maintenance. Garden maintenance will include:
a. Annual Membership drive, unless plots are all assigned
b. Annual review of member guidelines, effectiveness of guidelines, and recommended changes to guidelines
c. Establishment and management of a Garden fund to cover the cost of repairs, as needed, to the garden
d. Plot reassignment, as needed
e. Consideration of additional garden aspects, such as benches, compost bins, planting stations, etc.