A group of neighbors are getting together to start a community garden out here in the country. One household is contributing the land and we now have 5 households involved in the planning stage.
We have set up the first compost pile and will start hauling in bagged leaves this week. There's a local dairy about 3 miles from the garden spot and I think we can get the dairyman to haul cow poop to it. We're hoping to get a plot ready for a winter garden 2009.
Our biggest problem to overcome may be to get a water meter set for the garden area. Our local community water company charges a lot of $ to set a meter. I am hoping to negotiate a break from them on that fee.
If we can solve the water problem soon I will start putting out flyers inviting more community participation.
Doe anyone here have any suggestions or comments? Is there anything we need to pay attention to when starting this? I posted to the 'Community Garden' forum also :~)
New 'Country Community' Garden near Gilmer, TX
Congratulations, I hope it works out great. Are you setting up rules as to the use of pesticides? It might be helpful if you have some general rules. Just a suggestion.
Josephine.
Aha! I hadn't even thought of pesticides. That also makes me think of fertilizers. We would prefer to go all organic. Thanks for the suggestion! I'll talk it over with the group this afternoon :~)
I assume hooking up to the water lines would be cheaper than a well, right? Might help if you're going to contribute some of the produce to a charitable food bank at times. That might give the water company a write-off or something...or at least be able to classify that contribution to the community garden as a PR item for publicity purposes. Otherwise, contact local businesses for donations to help pay for the hookup. If there's a local newspaper or publication of some kind, let them know what you're doing. Also, organizations like Master Gardeners can help if there's one in the area. They might be able to contribute volunteers, soil amendments, fertilizer, etc. And local businesses who sell soil amendments, fertilizer, plants and other needed materials might be motivated to contribute those if they know they will be publicly acknowleged in some way. Great idea....wish we had one of those in this area! If you need seeds later, let us know!
Wow! Thanks so much for all of that. All those things we hadn't even considered, what great ideas. I will get in touch with the local papers for sure. And will find out where there may be a food bank. And maybe the one feed store in the area would consider making a donation of something or other. There are no local garden outlets other than WalMart (and Maggi's Garden Magic, but we're an awfully small startup) in Gilmer.
We're sort of equally distant from Gilmer, Big Sandy and Hawkins. Gilmer and Big Sandy are in Upshur County and Hawkins is in Wood County. I know Wood County has a Master Gardener program, I am not sure about Upshur. There is a gardening club at a local gated community, I will approach them too.
Well, it looks like you are going to be on the right track, it makes me feel good.
Security is going to be your biggest issue in TX unless its "way out there"--or very near the home of the land donation folks.
I remember we had this discussion by dmail one time (it was you, right?). I did tell you what the sign on our property in Palestine says, right? LOL
Debbie
I thought about security already. The garden plot is between two houses - well, within sight of each house anyway. Rusty and Sheila live in one house and Rusty is battling cancer and was already disabled anyway, so he's home most of the day. There is direct access from the main road, but I think (I hope) we won't have problems.
We got sidetracked this afternoon and evening talking about what we want to grow and looking at seed catalogs online while we baked cookies, cake and bread :~)
Debbie, I don't remember, I guess I'd better go back thru my Dmails - LOL!
Maggie
The Master Gardeners of Cherokee Co. does a garden at the HOPE Center each year. They have a soup kitchen and feed around 100 each week day. The folks love the fresh veggies and it helps with cost. We have done this for several years and have not had problems with security. It is in town and near public housing. Many volunteer for the planting but maintanance is more a problem for us. Not many like to weed when it gets hot. Ours is a small area but we usually have good results. Some years the tomatoes and squash are so plentiful that we have a basket full for the folks to take some home with them.
The compost place near us donated a load for us to enrich our planting area. It is good stuff. Buzz me if you need any information or better yet come see me.
D
I live 6 miles east of Gilmer. Where will this garden be? And where is Maggi's Plant shop?
Hey weedsgone! Just sent a Dmail :~)
maggidew, your local cooperative extention agent should know of all of the Master Gardeners in your area. Tell him what you are doing. He probably has some contact info regarding other community efforts by small towns in Texas. You never know what kind of info those guys have up their sleeves :)!
PS. Nice meeting you the other weekend. I noticed some very interesting plants out at your place!
You are WAY too kind Terri - the place is a horrible MESS. LOL!
I did start the cleanup in my own small way and plan to keep on going till I get this place looking good again. I am thinking we may have an early Spring? ;~)
I will get in touch with the Extension office and see what they can suggest.