Plot Style Community Plot Style Community Gardening in Gardening in

MinnesotaMinnesota

A preparation guide for new A preparation guide for new community gardenerscommunity gardeners

By Charlene Gruber and Kelsey SparksBy Charlene Gruber and Kelsey Sparks

What is a Community What is a Community GardenGarden

““Any piece of land gardened by a group of Any piece of land gardened by a group of people.”people.”

- American Community - American Community

Garden Association (ACGA)Garden Association (ACGA)

““A community garden is any space where A community garden is any space where plants are grown and maintained by a plants are grown and maintained by a community to meet the needs of the community to meet the needs of the community.” community.”

-Gardening Matters-Gardening Matters

Types of Community Types of Community GardensGardens

Neighborhood community gardens Neighborhood community gardens EducationalEducational

– School gardensSchool gardens– Job trainingJob training

Gardens that support food banks or Gardens that support food banks or sheltersshelters

Demonstration gardensDemonstration gardens Therapeutic gardens Therapeutic gardens

Finding a Community Finding a Community GardenGarden

Minnesota organizationsMinnesota organizations– Gardening MattersGardening Matters

http://www.gardeningmatters.org/http://www.gardeningmatters.org/

– Minnesota State Horticultural Society’s Minnesota State Horticultural Society’s Minnesota Green programMinnesota Green program http://www.northerngardener.org/mngreen.asphttp://www.northerngardener.org/mngreen.asp

National organizationNational organization– American Community Garden AssociationAmerican Community Garden Association

http://www.communitygarden.org/http://www.communitygarden.org/

Plot Style Community Plot Style Community GardeningGardening

ChallengesChallenges– Limited spaceLimited space– Close proximity to neighbor plotsClose proximity to neighbor plots– Rules and guidelinesRules and guidelines– Pest managementPest management– Theft and vandalismTheft and vandalism– Limited resourcesLimited resources– Site permanencySite permanency

Plot Style Community Plot Style Community Gardening Gardening

BenefitsBenefits– Neighborhood and community Neighborhood and community

developmentdevelopment– Land accessLand access– Crime preventionCrime prevention– Cross-cultural connectionCross-cultural connection– Youth educationYouth education– Food productionFood production– HealthHealth

Garden Rules and CourtesyGarden Rules and Courtesy Do:Do:

– Learn and follow rules and regulations at your Learn and follow rules and regulations at your community gardencommunity garden

– Be courteous to neighborsBe courteous to neighbors– Report neglected plots to the garden coordinatorReport neglected plots to the garden coordinator– Maintain you plotMaintain you plot

Avoid:Avoid:– Watering, harvesting, or cleaning neighbor plotsWatering, harvesting, or cleaning neighbor plots– Allowing your plants grow into neighbor plotsAllowing your plants grow into neighbor plots– Growing tall plants where they will shade Growing tall plants where they will shade

neighborsneighbors

ToolsTools Some community gardens have tools to borrow Some community gardens have tools to borrow

or storage spaceor storage space Some common garden tools:Some common garden tools:

– TrowelTrowel– Hand forkHand fork– HoeHoe– Hand prunerHand pruner– Garden forkGarden fork– ShovelShovel– GlovesGloves– Wheelbarrow (great to have as a group on site for onsite Wheelbarrow (great to have as a group on site for onsite

compost bins)compost bins) Water can or hoses depending on your water Water can or hoses depending on your water

sourcesource

Creating CommunityCreating Community Annual picnicAnnual picnic Share recipesShare recipes Read newsletters and garden postingsRead newsletters and garden postings Host events for community membersHost events for community members Send out press releases to the local newspapersSend out press releases to the local newspapers Post articles in local town newslettersPost articles in local town newsletters Get schools involved Get schools involved

– Art classes can design a signArt classes can design a sign– Have a scarecrow contest and display at the Have a scarecrow contest and display at the

gardengarden Ask artists to display workAsk artists to display work Invite organizations to purchase plotsInvite organizations to purchase plots Look for businesses and organizations willing to Look for businesses and organizations willing to

donate suppliesdonate supplies

Security in the GardenSecurity in the Garden Know your neighborsKnow your neighbors

– Ask questionsAsk questions– Attend meetingsAttend meetings– Accompany visitors Accompany visitors

Perimeter fencesPerimeter fences– Deters animalsDeters animals– May prevent intruders May prevent intruders – Vines can soften the lookVines can soften the look

Personal safetyPersonal safety– Garden during daylight hoursGarden during daylight hours– Keep a cell phone nearbyKeep a cell phone nearby– Garden in pairs Garden in pairs

Soil TestSoil Test

Ask to see a soil test or test your own plotAsk to see a soil test or test your own plot Helps determine fertilizing needsHelps determine fertilizing needs Determine soil pHDetermine soil pH Ensure fertile soil for plants and avoid over fertilizingEnsure fertile soil for plants and avoid over fertilizing

Soil tests available at University of Soil tests available at University of Minnesota Soil Testing LaboratoryMinnesota Soil Testing Laboratory

Contact your local extension educator Contact your local extension educator Call the University Soil Testing LaboratoryCall the University Soil Testing Laboratory

(612) 625-3101 (612) 625-3101 Visit the Soil Testing Laboratory websiteVisit the Soil Testing Laboratory website

– http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu Lead testing can be requestedLead testing can be requested

Soil CompositionSoil Composition

Sand, silt, and claySand, silt, and clay– Soil texture will affect wateringSoil texture will affect watering

Sand will require more watering that other Sand will require more watering that other soil typessoil types

Clay can be prone to over wateringClay can be prone to over watering Organic matter percentageOrganic matter percentage

– Increases pore space in clay soilsIncreases pore space in clay soils– Holds moisture and nutrients in sandy Holds moisture and nutrients in sandy

soilssoils

FertilizingFertilizing

Plant nutrition is essential for optimum Plant nutrition is essential for optimum yieldsyields

Synthetic fertilizers Synthetic fertilizers – These may not be allowed in your garden plot These may not be allowed in your garden plot

so check the rules carefullyso check the rules carefully Organic fertilizers Organic fertilizers

– Examples: blood meal, fish emulsion, manures, Examples: blood meal, fish emulsion, manures, composts, cover crops, and green manure composts, cover crops, and green manure cropscrops

– Fresh manure vs. composted manureFresh manure vs. composted manure

Water ManagementWater Management

Understand the watering system for Understand the watering system for your gardenyour garden– Consider any rules for water use with Consider any rules for water use with

the system availablethe system available Some offer steady sources while Some offer steady sources while

some will have supply tankssome will have supply tanks

Water tank at Cambridge Community Garden

Water ManagementWater Management

Mulch helps soil stay evenly moistMulch helps soil stay evenly moist Check garden rules before installing Check garden rules before installing

drip irrigation or other systemsdrip irrigation or other systems Avoid overhead wateringAvoid overhead watering Water early in the dayWater early in the day

– Leaves dry quick preventing diseaseLeaves dry quick preventing disease

Selecting VarietiesSelecting Varieties

Most vegetables varieties perform Most vegetables varieties perform well;well;– Avoid:Avoid:

Varieties restricted by organizationVarieties restricted by organization– Aggressive / invasive varieties Aggressive / invasive varieties

grow into pathways, neighbor plotsgrow into pathways, neighbor plots

Tall plants that shade Tall plants that shade

– Try:Try: Unusual varieties less common in storesUnusual varieties less common in stores Plants with special interest for childrenPlants with special interest for children

Challenging Plants Challenging Plants Sweet cornSweet corn

– Some require isolation to prevent cross pollinationSome require isolation to prevent cross pollination Affects flavor and kernels Affects flavor and kernels

– Example: shrunken supersweet (sh2) types should be 250 ft. Example: shrunken supersweet (sh2) types should be 250 ft. from other sweet corn types or field corn or planted at from other sweet corn types or field corn or planted at different timesdifferent times

– Isolation can be difficult without communication between Isolation can be difficult without communication between neighbor plotsneighbor plots

Tall plants can shade neighbor plotsTall plants can shade neighbor plots– SunflowersSunflowers– Amarathus Amarathus – CornCorn– Plants on support structuresPlants on support structures

Challenging PlantsChallenging Plants Vine crops Vine crops (watermelon, muskmelon, cucumbers, (watermelon, muskmelon, cucumbers,

squash)squash)

– Do not allow vines to grown into Do not allow vines to grown into neighbor plots or rowsneighbor plots or rows

– Consider using support structures when Consider using support structures when allowed allowed Beware of shadingBeware of shading

– Look for compact “bush” typesLook for compact “bush” types

Contain Yourself!Contain Yourself! Consider compact plant varietiesConsider compact plant varieties

– Bush varieties of cucumbers, Bush varieties of cucumbers, muskmelon, watermelon, and squash muskmelon, watermelon, and squash

– Determinate tomato plants Determinate tomato plants – Compact varieties of vegetablesCompact varieties of vegetables

Solanum Melongena

'Fairy Tale'

Compact eggplant

Lycopersicon esculentum ‘Window Box Roma’

Determinate tomato

Contain Yourself!Contain Yourself! Materials designed to contain climbing or Materials designed to contain climbing or

tall varieties tall varieties – Fences and trellisesFences and trellises

Pole beans, cucumbers, or squashPole beans, cucumbers, or squash– Use varieties with fruit under three pounds are best Use varieties with fruit under three pounds are best

– NettingNetting Use between stakes, on walls, or with structures Use between stakes, on walls, or with structures

noted abovenoted above– Cages or StakesCages or Stakes

TomatoesTomatoes– TeepeesTeepees

Pole beansPole beans CucumbersCucumbers

Contain Yourself!Contain Yourself!

A French Charentais melon 'Savor‘ on a

fence structure

Large fruit may need support!

Cucumis sativaus ‘Olympian’

Cucumber on a teepee

Some Some indeterminate indeterminate tomato plants tomato plants can become can become

very tall! very tall!

Contain Yourself!Contain Yourself!

Annuals vs. PerennialsAnnuals vs. Perennials

Annuals complete their lifecycle in one Annuals complete their lifecycle in one yearyear– Most vegetables traditionally grown in Most vegetables traditionally grown in

Minnesota gardens are annualsMinnesota gardens are annuals Perennials live for more than two yearsPerennials live for more than two years

– Check rules for your community garden Check rules for your community garden – May be allowed when returning to same plotMay be allowed when returning to same plot– Utilize containers above or below ground for Utilize containers above or below ground for

aggressive mints, horseradish, etc.aggressive mints, horseradish, etc.

Perennial EdiblesPerennial Edibles RhubarbRhubarb HorseradishHorseradish RaspberriesRaspberries StrawberriesStrawberries BlueberriesBlueberries Many small fruitsMany small fruits Fruit treesFruit trees Some mintsSome mints AsparagusAsparagus ChivesChives

Containing PerennialsContaining Perennials

PerennialsPerennials– Utilize containers Utilize containers – Set containers in gardenSet containers in garden– ““Plant” container with drain holes Plant” container with drain holes

Keeps roots containedKeeps roots contained

PlanningPlanning

Know the best date to start each Know the best date to start each plantplant

Consider the last average frost date Consider the last average frost date in your city as a guidelinein your city as a guideline

PlanningPlanning

Decide what you would like to grownDecide what you would like to grown– Use an existing garden layout Use an existing garden layout – Create your own layoutCreate your own layout

Consider plant spacing Consider plant spacing recommendationsrecommendations– Use the sample layouts to get startedUse the sample layouts to get started– Modify as neededModify as needed

Cool Season VegetablesCool Season Vegetables

These can be seeded directly outside These can be seeded directly outside as soon as the soil is workableas soon as the soil is workable

*Dates are approximate for *Dates are approximate for Minneapolis/St. PaulMinneapolis/St. Paul– Adjust for your locationAdjust for your location

Cool Season VegetablesCool Season Vegetables April 15*April 15*

– BeetsBeets– CarrotsCarrots– Lettuce (leaf)Lettuce (leaf)– SpinachSpinach– TurnipTurnip– Onion setsOnion sets– Onion transplantsOnion transplants– Onion seedsOnion seeds– Head lettuceHead lettuce– Potatoes (Irish)Potatoes (Irish)– KohlrabiKohlrabi– KaleKale– CollardsCollards– EndiveEndive

April 10*April 10*– RadishRadish– PeasPeas

Cool Season VegetablesCool Season Vegetables

Transplant outdoors April 15Transplant outdoors April 15th* th*

– or when soil is workableor when soil is workable Start seed indoors March 1stStart seed indoors March 1st

BroccoliBroccoli Brussels sproutsBrussels sprouts CauliflowerCauliflower Lettuce (head)Lettuce (head) Early cabbageEarly cabbage

Early MayEarly May

May 1May 1stst – Seed outdoorsSeed outdoors

Swiss chardSwiss chard CucumbersCucumbers ParsnipsParsnips

May 1May 1stst – Transplant outdoorsTransplant outdoors

Late cabbage Late cabbage – Start indoors April Start indoors April

1515

May 10thMay 10th– Seed outdoors Seed outdoors

PumpkinsPumpkins Squash, summerSquash, summer Squash, winterSquash, winter Sweet corn Sweet corn

– Date may vary with Date may vary with typetype

Warm Season VegetablesWarm Season Vegetables May 15May 15thth

– Seed outdoorsSeed outdoors Beans (snap bush, Pole, Lima, dry shell)Beans (snap bush, Pole, Lima, dry shell) MuskmelonMuskmelon RutabagaRutabaga WatermelonWatermelon

May 15May 15thth

– Transplant outdoorsTransplant outdoors Tomato (Seed indoors April 1)Tomato (Seed indoors April 1) Celery (seed indoors Feb. 15)Celery (seed indoors Feb. 15)

June 1June 1stst

– Transplant outdoorsTransplant outdoors Eggplant (start indoors March 15)Eggplant (start indoors March 15) Okra (start indoors March 15)Okra (start indoors March 15) Peppers (start indoors March 15)Peppers (start indoors March 15)

Starting Seed IndoorsStarting Seed Indoors

Commercial seed-starting mixes are Commercial seed-starting mixes are suggestedsuggested– Vermiculite and peat basedVermiculite and peat based– SterileSterile– Soil lessSoil less– Lightweight Lightweight – Free of weed seedFree of weed seed

Starting Seed IndoorsStarting Seed Indoors Fill containers with soiless mixFill containers with soiless mix

– Moisten prior to filling or water after filling Moisten prior to filling or water after filling Plant seed four times as deep as the seeds Plant seed four times as deep as the seeds

widthwidth Label traysLabel trays Cover with thin layer of vermiculiteCover with thin layer of vermiculite

– Allows lightAllows light– Maintains moistureMaintains moisture

Determine which varieties need light or dark Determine which varieties need light or dark conditions to germinateconditions to germinate

Consider heat mats Consider heat mats

SeedlingsSeedlings

Use fluorescent lights (cool white)Use fluorescent lights (cool white)– Four inches above the seedlings Four inches above the seedlings – Twelve to sixteen hours of light daily Twelve to sixteen hours of light daily

““Harden off” plants from the garden Harden off” plants from the garden center or those you have seeded is center or those you have seeded is recommended prior to plantingrecommended prior to planting

Bring plants outdoors for part of the day to Bring plants outdoors for part of the day to gradually adjust to wind and temperature gradually adjust to wind and temperature fluctuations for one-two weeksfluctuations for one-two weeks

Chemical Use in theChemical Use in theCommunity GardenCommunity Garden

““A substance or mixture of substances A substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate a pest, and a substance or mixture mitigate a pest, and a substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.”regulator, defoliant, or desiccant.”

Minnesota state law (18B.01 subd. 18)Minnesota state law (18B.01 subd. 18)Definition of PesticideDefinition of Pesticide

Chemical Use in the Chemical Use in the Community GardenCommunity Garden

Pesticides include:Pesticides include:– Herbicides for weedsHerbicides for weeds– Insecticides for insectsInsecticides for insects– Fungicides for fungiFungicides for fungi

The label is the final authority on how you The label is the final authority on how you may legally use any pesticidemay legally use any pesticide

Read the label carefully and follow all Read the label carefully and follow all directionsdirections

Many community gardens do not allow Many community gardens do not allow pesticidespesticides– Check your garden rules and ask questions Check your garden rules and ask questions

before using any productsbefore using any products

Weed ManagementWeed Management

Weeds in the community gardenWeeds in the community garden– Creates an undesirable appearanceCreates an undesirable appearance– May develop seeds that blow into neighboring May develop seeds that blow into neighboring

plotsplots– Compete with vegetables for space, water, and Compete with vegetables for space, water, and

nutrientsnutrients– Allowing weeds to overgrow may cause you to Allowing weeds to overgrow may cause you to

lose your plotlose your plot Manage weeds in your garden plot so you Manage weeds in your garden plot so you

can be welcome back to the community can be welcome back to the community garden the following seasongarden the following season

Weed ManagementWeed Management

There There are various options to manage are various options to manage weeds in your garden plot weeds in your garden plot – MulchMulch– Hand pulling or hoeingHand pulling or hoeing

These methods may be prohibited in your These methods may be prohibited in your gardengarden– Synthetic herbicidesSynthetic herbicides

Read label carefully if allowed in the gardenRead label carefully if allowed in the garden

– Roto-tillingRoto-tilling

Weed ManagementWeed Management

MulchMulch– Manages weedsManages weeds– Conserves moistureConserves moisture– Moderates soil temperaturesModerates soil temperatures– Blocks soil splashBlocks soil splash– Adds organic matterAdds organic matter

Weed ManagementWeed Management

Synthetic MulchSynthetic Mulch– Plastic sheetsPlastic sheets

Effective for blocking weeds, but also block water Effective for blocking weeds, but also block water when drip irrigation is not used belowwhen drip irrigation is not used below

Increases soil temperature for warm season cropsIncreases soil temperature for warm season crops– Landscape fabricLandscape fabric

High cost for a vegetable garden settingHigh cost for a vegetable garden setting– Ground up tiresGround up tires

Difficult to removeDifficult to remove

These artificial materials do not break down These artificial materials do not break down readily and may not be allowed in your readily and may not be allowed in your plot gardenplot garden

Organic mulches Organic mulches – May be a good choice for a community May be a good choice for a community

gardengarden– Some may need to be removed at the Some may need to be removed at the

end of the seasonend of the season

Weed Management: Organic Weed Management: Organic MulchMulch

Weed Management: Organic Weed Management: Organic MulchMulch

Wood chips and pine barkWood chips and pine bark– May require additional nitrogen since the May require additional nitrogen since the

woodchips use nitrogen as they break downwoodchips use nitrogen as they break down– Avoid mixing into the soil at the end of the seasonAvoid mixing into the soil at the end of the season

Clean strawClean straw– Weed free straw avoids introducing weed seedsWeed free straw avoids introducing weed seeds

Grass clippingsGrass clippings– 1-2 inches of dry clippings1-2 inches of dry clippings– Avoid those from lawns treated with herbicidesAvoid those from lawns treated with herbicides

Insect Pest Insect Pest

Insect pests can create a gardening Insect pests can create a gardening challenge, managing them can require challenge, managing them can require some planning under a community garden some planning under a community garden settingsetting– Hand pickingHand picking– Synthetic insecticidesSynthetic insecticides– Organic insecticidesOrganic insecticides– Traps & barriersTraps & barriers– RepellentsRepellents– Beneficial insectsBeneficial insects

Insect PestsInsect Pests Pesticides may be prohibited in your gardenPesticides may be prohibited in your garden Alternative management methodsAlternative management methods

– Remove weeds, debris, and spoiled fruit where insects may Remove weeds, debris, and spoiled fruit where insects may harbor harbor

– Monitor for insect holes in leaves and hand pick insects as you Monitor for insect holes in leaves and hand pick insects as you see themsee them

– Utilize barrier methods like floating row covers or ReemayUtilize barrier methods like floating row covers or Reemay Reemay polyester cloth allows 80% light and water in but insects outReemay polyester cloth allows 80% light and water in but insects out Secure Reemay or row covers over plants early in the season before Secure Reemay or row covers over plants early in the season before

insects are activeinsects are active Secure with rock or soil to secure the edges so insects can’t slide inSecure with rock or soil to secure the edges so insects can’t slide in Varieties that require insect pollination will need to be uncovered at Varieties that require insect pollination will need to be uncovered at

a specific timea specific time

Insect ManagementInsect Management

Beneficial insects and organisms can be Beneficial insects and organisms can be effective if planned wiselyeffective if planned wisely

Discuss with coordinator and gardenersDiscuss with coordinator and gardeners– Beneficial insects may move to other plotsBeneficial insects may move to other plots– If other gardeners use insecticides, the If other gardeners use insecticides, the

beneficial insects may be affected beneficial insects may be affected Consider beneficial insects species more Consider beneficial insects species more

likely to stay in a small arealikely to stay in a small area

Disease ManagementDisease Management Cultural practices to manage diseaseCultural practices to manage disease

– SanitationSanitation– WaterWater

Avoid overheadAvoid overhead Water early in the dayWater early in the day

– Choose resistant plant varietiesChoose resistant plant varieties– Crop rotationCrop rotation

Refer to University of Minnesota Refer to University of Minnesota Extension publications for details on Extension publications for details on your specific cropyour specific crop

HarvestHarvest

Do not harvest neighbor plots Do not harvest neighbor plots without permissionwithout permission

Consider asking someone to harvest Consider asking someone to harvest your plot if you should be out of townyour plot if you should be out of town

Share your harvestShare your harvest– Friends and neighborsFriends and neighbors– Food banksFood banks

End of the SeasonEnd of the Season

Note cleanup deadlines Note cleanup deadlines Remove plants and synthetic Remove plants and synthetic

materialmaterial Attend season end meetings and Attend season end meetings and

eventsevents

Put the “Community” in your Put the “Community” in your Community Garden!Community Garden!

Encourage each other to maintain Encourage each other to maintain your plots is important to gain your plots is important to gain community supportcommunity support

Encourage individual involvementEncourage individual involvement Local organization involvementLocal organization involvement

Plot Style Community Plot Style Community Gardening in Gardening in

MinnesotaMinnesota

A preparation guide for new A preparation guide for new community gardenerscommunity gardeners

By Charlene Gruber and Kelsey SparksBy Charlene Gruber and Kelsey Sparks

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