Stow Community Garden Newsletter

March 2018

Inside this issue:

Dates to Remember

1

Information Exchange

1

Seed/Seedling Swap

2

Stow Community Garden Rules

3

Questions & Contacts

5

Garden Planning Meetings

2

Good to Know 4

S T O W C O M M U N I T Y G A R D E N A S S O C I A T I O N S T O W P A R K S & R E C R E A T I O N D E P A R T M E N T

Community Garden Shed

Welcome to the first issue of the Stow Community Garden Newsletter

The Manure Spreader for 2018. We hope you will again be joining us for another great year at the Stow Community Garden!

Garden Information will be distributed to you through:

Ë The Manure Spreader Garden Newsletter emailed to you.

Ë Scarecrow Garden Sign near the Garden entrance

Ë Email Blast Announcements that are time-sensitive or especially

important are sent by an email “blast” directly to all current gardeners.

Visit the City of Stow website at:

http://stowohio.org/funinstow/community-garden-program/

Ë Bulletin Boards on the Garden Shed

Check the display cases frequently to stay informed.

A detailed diagram of the garden and its numbered plots

A list of registered gardeners and their plot numbers

A copy of the community garden rules

The most recent copy of the garden newsletter, The Manure Spreader

And additional Important Garden Announcements

Manure Spreader

IMPORTANT DATES - Stow Community Garden 2018

Returning 2017 Gardeners Pre-Registration ends May 4, 2018 (Return your forms that were mailed to you with payment to hold your plot from last year to Stow Parks & Recreation Dept.

Start of Season: Usually just after Memorial Day with Tractor plowing of field (dependent on weather conditions) & placement of -Field staked for paths & garden plots & labeled with #s by garden volunteers WAIT until All the plots have been staked and numbered before entering the garden.

A NOTICE WILL BE POSTED AT THE GARDEN SHED WHEN THE GARDEN PLOTS ARE READY TO PLANT + AN EMAIL NOTICE WILL BE SENT TO GARDENERS WHEN GARDEN IS READY FOR PLANTING

Open Registration/Switch Plots: Saturday, May 12, 2018 9:00am - 10:30am at Stow City Hall

New Gardeners will be taken at this time and Returning Gardeners may switch to a new plot.

Planting Deadline: Garden Plots must be planted by June 15, 2018

End of Season: All produce must be harvested & materials removed by: Sunday, September 28, 2018

Page 2

The Manure Spreader

Community Garden Planning Meetings are open to all current Community Gardeners.

A core group of gardeners volunteer countless hours of their time and energy trying to ensure your garden experience is positive. Your participation is not only welcome but is crucial to the garden’s continued future. The Stow Community Garden is truly run by the volunteers. Additional help from new volunteers is always needed. We hope you will join us.

Garden planning meetings are open to all registered gardeners. They are an opportunity to share ideas, make constructive suggestions, participate in decision making and volunteer with garden activities.

Meetings are held on the Second Tuesday of each month 10:00am at Stow City Hall 3760 Darrow Road.

Garden

START COLLECTING With a little planning, gardening doesn’t have to be an expensive activity. Remember the three R’s to keep costs down by Recycling, Reusing and Repurposing.

Newspaper, cardboard, straw or grass clippings to use as a compostable mulch A thick layer of mulch, applied early reduces weed seed exposure to light and prevents them from sprouting. Fewer weeds means less weed pulling.

Finely ground egg shells Spread them on the soil surface around broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage or any plants that attract snails, slugs or cut worms. The soft undersides of these pests are damaged by the sharp edges of the eggshells. Eggplants, peppers, tomatoes and other plants are susceptible to blossom-end-rot, caused by calcium deficiency. Eggshells are comprised of ~93% calcium carbonate. Over time, finely powdered eggshells will add calcium to the soil.

Compost made from leaves/grass clippings/food scraps/worm castings/well aged, composted animal manure/ used coffee grounds

Stakes/ supports Inexpensive, used items are available at yard sales, thrift stores

Tools To avoid theft, label conspicuously with your name. Take tools with you when you leave the garden.

Heavy poly cording to mark the perimeter of your plot No plastic tape, fishing line, wire

Water Bucket(s) Provides gentle, more efficient, less wasteful watering than using a hose

Garden Hose A limited number of used hoses have been donated. They are attached to the spigots with Y-connectors so more than one person can have access. You are welcome to bring your own hose. Be aware that, like tools, it may disappear if left in your plot or attached to the spigot when you leave. Donations of hoses in good repair are always welcome.

SEED AND SEEDLING SWAP: Gardeners often find themselves with more seeds or seedlings than they

need. Consider giving them away or exchanging them with other gardeners at the seed and seedling swap.

No money will be exchanged. The swap will be held on the Second Saturday after the gardens open for

planting. Any extras will be used to grow food for donation to the food pantry at Open M in Akron.

Stow Parks & Recreation Department & Stow Community Garden Association

2018 Stow Community Garden Rules & Maintenance Planting-Start of Season: Gardens are normally ready for planting around Memorial Day. DO NOT Plant prior to gardens being staked with plot numbers. (Weather dependent) Gardens planted before plot numbering is complete or those using unassigned plots are subject to loss of plot. Locating Your Garden: Gardener’s Name / Plot #’s are listed at Garden Shed IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE ON THE PATH (4’ wide) TO LOCATE YOUR NUMBERED STAKE. Your garden is to the RIGHT of your numbered stake in the lower left corner of your garden plot. Garden Plots not planted by Fri., June 15th, 2018 will be forfeited without refund & re-assigned. Unworked Plots: If you are on vacation or ill ask other Gardeners to water, weed and harvest for you.

Water Use: Water spigots are available at the garden. Gardeners must be at the garden site at all times when watering.- Do NOT let water run openly without need. There is an expense associated with water used in the gardens We ask that Gardeners practice water conservation. Garden Hoses: Hoses are not provided by the Stow Community Garden but are donated by other gardeners. Note: Gardeners using a watering can or jug have priority to the water supply. Most gardeners who use garden hoses attach a “Y” connection with a cutoff valve between the water spigot and their hose so others may use the spigot without interruption. Hoses may not be removed from the attached water spigots - Do Not leave a hose in the aisles; after each use please recoil the hose at the spigot for the next user. Plastic Ground Cover, Plastic Tape, Fishing Line, Wire Fencing, Styrofoam - Are Not Permitted in garden plots. If found; these materials will be removed. These materials have broken equipment when mowing & plowing and or are not biodegradable. Recommended alternatives: Wood Chips, grass clippings, straw, paper. Fabric type ribbon, string, rope or cloth strips may be used to mark plot. YOU must remove all materials you place in garden at the end of season. The Stow Community Garden Association & Stow Parks & Recreation Department are not responsible for materials used in the gardens. Mesh fencing, if utilized, must be staked on the inside of garden plot so as not to sag in to the aisle.

Gardening Hours: The Stow Community Garden is located within a Stow City Park and thus gardeners must follow all City of Stow and Stow Park Ordinances. Parks including the gardens are open from Dawn to Dusk. You may not be in the gardens after dark.

Dogs/Pets/Alcohol/Firearms: No Dogs, Pets, Alcohol, Drugs or Firearms are permitted in the gardens. PER CITY OF STOW PARK REGULATIONS (955.02) Smoking is not permitted in the garden.

Plantings: All garden plants should be contained within your plot. No stacking of plant materials. Tall plants should be planted in the center of your plot so as not to shade a garden neighbor’s plot. Weeds / Rocks / Debris should be placed in the designated areas, not in aisles or at water spigots. Each gardener is responsible for keeping their plot weed free and keeping the adjoining aisles clear. Use only natural or organic weed/animal deterrents. Round Up or chemical weed killers are NOT permitted . Children are welcome in the garden, but must be supervised by an Adult at ALL Times.

Pilferage/Theft: Anyone caught stealing will be put out of the Community Garden Program & Stow Police will be contacted. Gardeners should attempt to become acquainted with other gardeners using the surrounding plots and help in protecting the gardens from theft or vandalism. If you are suspicious of behavior please take note and contact the Stow Parks & Recreation Department.

Harvest: Gardeners should pick their produce when ready, thereby avoiding tempting others. Only registered gardeners or their designee are permitted to harvest their garden plot.

End of Season: All Produce must be harvested from your plot by: Friday, September 28, 2018 You are required to remove All stakes, string, wire cages, etc. off your plot by this date.

Please Do Not Remove the Plot # Stakes that were installed by the Community Garden Association

The Stow Community Garden Planning Committee can amend the rules for the benefit of the Program. In Registering for a garden plot you agree to abide by the Stow Community Garden Rules / Regulations. Stow Parks & Recreation Department 330-689-5100

YOUR GARDEN

# Garden Stake w/number

Garden Path

Page 4

Stow Community Garden Newsletter

DO NOT BRING WHY ALTERNATIVE

Plastic ground cover

Breaks into pieces, difficult to remove completely, not biodegradable

Organic mulches such as newspaper, cardboard, straw, grass clippings

Plastic tape, wire, fishing line

Plastic tape breaks into pieces, remains in soil, not biodegradable damages tilling equipment, causes injuries

Heavy poly or other cord that doesn’t break easily into pieces Non-biodegradables must be removed by end of season.

Styrofoam, glass Breaks into pieces, remains in soil, not biodegradable

Sturdy plastic containers that can be removed from the garden

Preservative treated wood

Toxic chemicals leach into soil Untreated wood, metal, plastic boards

Epsom Salts

Soil testing has shown high levels of Mg are already present in soil

Pets / Loud music Alcohol / Drugs Firearms

The Garden is located on City of Stow park land City of Stow Park Regulations (955.02)

No smoking or tobacco products Including tobacco as an ingredient in homemade remedies

TMV (tobacco mosaic virus) spreads from tobacco products to hands to the garden. Spreads extremely easily and causes disease in plants

Weed killers, especially ROUNDUP

Very toxic; kills both good and bad plants; slow to decompose; spreads & contaminates other gardens

Use compostable mulch to prevent weed seeds from sprouting Use natural or organic weed killers such as vinegar and use selectively Hand pull weeds including their roots before they go to seed.

Insecticides are highly discouraged

Toxic to both good and bad insects. Beneficial insects are essential for pollination and fruit formation

Soapy water (Dawn dish soap or Irish Spring are safe and work well against insects). Deter animals with nets, row covers, mesh or other permitted fencing

Common Rule Infractions & Reasons for Enforcement

FROST AND YOUR GARDEN It’s tempting to start planting outdoors when it's sunny in late April or early May. Remember that frost is still possible at least until around May 15th. Tomatoes, peppers and other cold sensitive plants can't tolerate a heavy frost and need to be protected in a cold frame or with row covers.

Seedlings need to gradually adjust to life in the real world before being planted outdoors. This process, called “hardening off” involves gradually exposing them to longer periods of time outside. Avoid buying seedlings too early so they don’t become root bound and leggy by the time you are ready to plant.

Before planting can begin in the Community Garden it must be plowed, staked and labeled. These tasks are weather dependent but generally are accomplished by Memorial Day. As a result, the growing season at the Community Garden is shorter than it might be for a home garden. For planning purposes, count on having approximately 125 days available to use the community garden.

You will probably be disappointed if you plant something that requires a longer growing season.

Stow Parks & Recreation Department 3760 Darrow Road (City Hall) Stow, OH 44224 Phone: 330-689-5100 Website: http://stowohio.org/funinstow/community-garden-program/

Stow Community Garden Stow Parks & Recreation Contact: Kathy McConnell - Recreation Supervisor kmcconnell@stow.oh.us

Stow Community Garden Association Karen DePalo - Chairperson Email: dpalok@aol.com Lynette Holland - Chairperson

Garden Association Committee Members: Joe Antonucci Donna Campana Rick Hertle Genice Robinson James Robinson Mary Lou Rosinski Becky Umbach Community Garden Newsletter Coordinator Email: ruohio@aol.com

Stow Community Garden: Contact Information 2018

One way to get started with your planning is by browsing through catalogs, gardening websites and the public library. These websites have a wealth of free gardening advice:

www.burpee.com/gardenadvicecenter www.edenbrothers.com/ www.gurneys.com www.jungseed.com/ www.rareseeds.com/