recently john sent me an article on how community plots are popping up all over the garden state. if you're looking for community gardens in your area, you could search this site. ours didn't show up, so you may also want to ask around or call your town whatever. (not sure who to call, sorry!)
how ours works is we are given two free plots under the agreement to keep it planted, neat, and organic. the use of non-organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides is prohibited. compost is provided at the start of each season and even some free plants are donated every now and then. it's a wonderful thing to be a part of and i feel really blessed to have one so close-by.
the picture above shows our two plots. (the one below is from june of last year.)
in what was before the gourd's bed i'm trying the three sisters method with multi-color sweet corn, pole beans and squash.
last year the jordans grew amazing corn stalks in their plot. they also grew brussel sprouts, which i will be trying for fall. the jordans take extra produce from the garden to local food banks. you can tell from their sign they're a sweet bunch!
mick and miguel, the self-proclaimed community garden "water fairies", take time to make their plots look so pretty. they make me feel like a real slacker in that department, but john says he'll make us a sign soon. maybe i'll take random knick-knacks off the shelf and stick 'em in the dirt!=)
the reynold's are growing some huge-ass broccoli! seems like the
trick is to give them adequate space, like one per 2 by 2 foot space.
now i know for next time.
their broccoli is nearly double the size of mine! it's hard not to compare your plants to the others in the garden.
especially when the two things you wish you had the most of are growing
poorly for you and flourishing the next plot over!
i'm not sure whose spot it is, but they better get to harvesting that spinach and lettuce before i do...(or maybe i did pick some already. muahahahaha!=) what? it helps them grow better! really!
It must be lovely to have a community garden!
ReplyDeleteit is, malle, and i hope one pops up close to you!
DeleteThat is really a cool way to run your community garden. I can not believe all the 'free" stuff. I hope you have a great garden year.
ReplyDeletethanks jane, you too!
DeleteBeautiful garden and it's great that they are raised beds and provide compost! i just joined one here which is also free of charge but it's a lot of work just to set it up.
ReplyDeleteit is a lot of work in the beginning but it definitely pays off in the end!
DeleteExcellent post and thanks for sharing, but I really wish we had community gardens where I live. Seeing these pictures make me want one even more. I used your link and the closest ones are 100 miles away in Atlanta or Macon. Please post again every month so we can see the progress of everyone's plots.
ReplyDeletei will for sure!
DeleteBeautiful! I love looking at other gardens!
ReplyDeletethank you, lauren. me too.=)
DeleteVery nice! Glad you bike is all ready to carry your veggies home! Hope I can come visit. xoxox
ReplyDeletethanks again for the basket! i hope you can visit soon too. xoxoxo
Deleteso beautiful!! i love the little signs, too :) x
ReplyDeletethanks for coming by chantilly! so glad you did - i'm listening to "in the war" (again) as i type. beautiful beautiful music you've created!
ReplyDeleteWe just had one of these pop up in my community too! I found out about it a week too late though as all the plots sold out like hotcakes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet comment Kelli! When I clicked back to you're blog I just about died when I saw it's focused on animal friendly eating and gardening and such. I'm the same as you - not a vegan or vegetarian per-say but I do try to keep meat to a minimal and eat more plant based and less artificial. I've also been itching to start a garden at my new house...we shall see:) Really loving all your content on here! xx Marisa
thank you marisa! ours filled up this year so the creator of the first garden made another! she's amazing, mickie. we have some really dedicated members that help out a lot, too.
Deleteit all starts with the itch! you'll have one someday! i recommend to start with potted herbs like mint and rosemary. you'll use them often and they're perennial so they'll come back every year. then when you have your garden space, you can put them in the ground!
I wish I was part of a community garden like that. Love the signs, too. I know you could make a really creative one.
ReplyDeletethanks shannonmarie! i hope so!=)
DeleteMy family is also part of a community garden, and I just love seeing all of the cute signs that pop up at the beginning of each growing season (even though my family has never made one, either!). I adore the picture of the Jordan's sign; too cute. This might be the kick in the butt I need to make my family an official plot sign!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your plot; looks like y'all are set to have a bumper crop of fresh veggies!
oh that's a great gift idea!!! i'd LOVE it if someone made me one!
Deletethanks gwyneth. our fingers and toes are crossed!=)
Love whimsical and fun garden art and signs. Can't wait to see what you have. And very cool that your community garden is set up the way it is. We pay 65/plot (10x40) and the max plots you can have is four. It includes water. We have 8 (?) plots dedicated for a local food bank that all gardeners are "encouraged" to work in (water veggies, weed, plant, harvest, deliver, etc). It's a huge community garden (150 families last I heard). Hubs-dear is prez of the association so he's quite busy. :) Anyway, it's great being part of a community like this because of the fun things going on, including the art/signs, and connecting with the other gardeners. And everyone (well, most everyone *wink*) is so nice and generous. Everyone is always sharing their harvest.
ReplyDeleteIts a beautiful garden I like greenery too much. These pictures shows that how much you are interested in natural beauty. I am also planning to for this type garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelli! I thought I'd stop by after seeing your registration for the food swap :) I'll have to pick your brain about the community garden effort - what a great idea! See you soon, and feel free to help spread the word about the swap! - Lauren, South Jersey Swappers
ReplyDelete