Thursday, September 17, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
Water. The City is still planning on running a new water line along the south side of the Garden (along the street) and Bruce thinks that we can probably get three lines running into the Garden from the main line. We will probably get some input into where the lines will be, but they are unlikely to run much beyond the south fence line. We still do not have any firm details about this project.
The City generously did not charge the Garden for water this year. Most gardens – like in Grandview – assess gardeners a fee for water. Bruce met yesterday with the Administration. They are tentatively willing to provide free water again to the Garden next year with certain conditions. In particular, they plan to install water meters on our three new spickets when they are installed and do not plan to charge the Garden for water as long as the water usage is reasonably consistent with the water use from this year. For example, if the meters reflect that we are using 10,000 gallons of water and are not being careful about turning off spickets or overwatering, then the City will likely expect compensation. The City is also considering putting low-flow devices on the lines in order to deter theft and abuse. We may also consider eliminating the use of hoses altogether if we notice a substantial increase in the use of water.
In light of our tight finances and need for other improvements at the Garden, this is fantastic news.
Gates. As many gardeners have noticed, the wood pole supporting the east gate was no longer serving its purpose of keeping the fence vertical and supporting the considerable weight of the gate. It would be helpful if gardeners would remember put most of the weight of the gate on the metal pole.
In our time of dire need, Steve again stepped up, brought a sledge hammer to the Garden on Tuesday and pounded the pole deeper into the ground. I’m not going to ask for details, but the pole is now considerably shorter than it was before it met Steve’s hammer. You can draw your own conclusions.
As many know, this is only one problem with the gates. They are extremely heavy and difficult to move. We nearly watched Mike get significantly injured when the east gate fell over on him (and his ankles) during a meeting in July. Jessica had a good idea of getting ball bearing wheels to drill into the bottom of the gates so that we could roll them from side to side and back to back. We wouldn’t want the wheels to be too tall (so as to make it easier for our furry friends to sneak into the Garden and eat more of Al’s broccoli), but they need to be substantial enough to bear the considerable weight of the gates. Just an idea in case someone wants to show some initiative and is looking for a way to contribute. . . . . . I haven’t heard any other ideas about our current gates. In the long term, we’d like to have a different gate design with hinges and latches (somewhat like we have on Stoddart Avenue). In the short term, we cannot afford to install different gates.
Compost. We returned to our ongoing five-week long conversation about compost. As reported two weeks ago, because we want to be considerate of the time of Mark and other city employees, we are only planning on him plowing one more time (in November). He has generously offered to dump six inches of twice-shredded leaves on the Garden. However, we don’t want to have to rely on Mark and our soil will need additional nutrients that are not plentiful in shredded leaves. For instance, we could use additional nitrogen which is readily available from coffee grounds if enough gardeners would volunteer to pick up grounds from area coffee shops. We also need to add sulfer and/or peat moss to decrease the soil pH.
The Committee made a proposal two weeks ago which a larger group discussed on Monday. If we want to add six inches of compost to the Garden – or 207 cubic yards -- this will cost us almost $5,000 from Kurtz Brothers. The retail prices from Ohio Mulch are higher, but there is a rumor that we might be able to get some at a discount (and I am diligently tracking down the sources of that rumor). The price of Com-Til and Com-Til Plus from the City of Columbus is less expensive still. In fact, the City of Columbus will give us 10 cubic yards free. (For those who do not know, Com-Til is treated with sanitized human sewage. You can read more about it at http://utilities.columbus.gov/DOSD/Com-til_NEW.htm ). Barb visited their facility and came back with samples and literature for people to review. The Com-Till Plus did not have any bad odor, was similar in consistency to regular compost, and is our least expensive option, but has a higher heavy metal composition, will likely raise our soil pH and is not recommended to be more than 20% of any soil amendment. The consistency of Com-Til is more like regular mulch and it has a slight odor which dissipates over time. (For what it’s worth, Alysha uses Com-Til on her home beds and community garden plots and has recommended it as a portion of our soil amendment. She gave me some Com-Til last Spring and I applied it to my home flower beds. I prefer regular compost for odor and consistency, but was satisfied with the samples of Com-Til Plus which Barb brought.)
Our immediate problem is that we only currently have about $600 to spend. Adding six inches of compost at an approximate price of $4860 would cost approximately $61/140-square-foot plot. Three inches would cost approximately $2500 – or $30/plot. My experience on Stoddart Avenue is that three inches would be sufficient (particularly on top of the shredded leaves which Mark will be adding). However, $30/plot is still fairly expensive and may deter some gardeners from joining us next year. The overwhelming consensus was that we do not want to discourage anyone from gardening with us next year because of the cost of improving the Garden and certainly do not want to charge more than $30/plot.
This $30 would be a one-time charge to make a necessary improvement to the Garden. We do not plan to add so much compost every year and doubt that we would need to do so. We also plan to aggressively fundraise to support scholarships for financially challenged gardeners.
We also revisited whether we need to make any improvements to the soil or whether we should leave the soil problems to be fixed by each individual gardener in whatever cost effective way the gardener sees fit. After all, some of the gardeners may have created their own compost at home. Moreover, the fact is very few community gardens do anything to improve the soil and leave those issues to the individual gardeners. We are also planning on creating a system whereby each gardener can keep the same plot from year to year if they continue to pay the registration fees and this gives the gardener several years to get the soil to the perfection he or she wants it.
However, most community gardens are not located over reclaimed landfills which have been covered with soil that seems incapable of supporting much plant life. I’ve heard from more than one gardener that they did not feel that they got $17 worth of produce out of their plots this year because of the poor soil. Inexperienced gardeners are unlikely to be equipped to address this problem on their own. Of more pressing concern is that some of the neighborhood gardeners (and other gardeners living in apartments) are not in any position to fix the soil problems on their own. Some of them rely exclusively on public transportation and cannot purchase and transport their own compost to their plots. Apartment dwellers also are not going to have access to home-made compost. In May and June, I watched while Barb tried to help new gardeners with the then-unknown challenges in our soil by finding and applying inexpensive fertilizers. Some gardeners gave up in frustration and abandoned their plots. (This breaks my heart). For that matter, our soil problems are so unique that we didn’t even have a weed problem until the last week of July. Besides, buying the compost in bulk is significantly less expensive than purchasing it in small bags at retail stores.
We didn’t take a formal vote on the issue, but most people still seemed inclined to move forward with a bulk purchase of compost.
Because most people have trouble imagining how much compost we are talking about, let me draw you a picture. We are talking about buying approximately 103 cubic yards of compost. The average pickup truck can haul only 2 cubic yards of compost – so we are talking about 51 pick up truck loads. That’s a lot of dirt. A pile of 20 cubic yards is bigger than the entire pick-up truck (and you can see a picture of such a pile on this site on the April 18 or 19 posting).
Garden Plot Registration. In order to be able to purchase the compost this Fall, we will be recommending to the full Friends of the Bexley Community Garden meeting on October 1 at 6:30 in City Council Chambers that registration deadlines be well publicized and set for this Fall: November 1 will be the deadline for Bexley residents to register for a single plot. Bexley residents who want additional plots will be able to reserve them (if they are still available after November 1) beginning on November 2. Non-Bexley residentscan then register for plots (if they are available) beginning on November 8 and will be able to register for additional plots (if they are available) beginning on November 15.The hope is that we can raise enough funds from the registration fees to purchase the compost in time to add it to the Garden after it is plowed and before the snow falls.
We will be creating registration forms to distribute among the neighborhood apartment buildings, post on the message board, distribute at the Saturday Farmers’ Market and distribute at the Fall Harvest Festival at Jeffrey Mansion. I’ll try to circulate a draft form to all gardeners for comment if the full group votes to go in this direction.
Fall Clean Up. As mentioned in the last Garden Update, we will need to schedule a work day to rake up the remaining mulch on the paths (before Mark plows on November 13) and probably another one to spread any compost we are able to purchase in late November. Ginny has suggested the date of Saturday, October 31 and yesterday provided a flier to email to everyone, but others want it pushed back to November 7. I’m waiting for a consensus to emerge before committing to a date. All feedback is welcome.
Garden Rules. In light of the recommended early registration, we will want the registrants to be aware of the Garden Rules before they register for a plot. This was a glitch this year because gardeners who registered online and did not attend meetings of the FBCG (or view this website) were unaware of the expectations. Accordingly, we are recommending to all Friends of the Bexley Community Garden that the following rules be adopted. Explanatory comments are in italics.
1. Gardeners must begin planting in the Garden before May 20 and keep it planted or maintained until the Fall Clean Up date or the plot will be reassigned to the next name on the wait list or tilled in after 10 days notice.
2. If a gardener must abandon his or her plot for any reason (or be absent for more than 10 days), the gardener should notify a Garden Operations Chair so that the ripe produce may be harvested and donated to a food pantry or shelter and/or the plot reassigned to the next name on the wait list (as applicable).
3. Gardeners will keep their plots and the adjacent paths weeded and litter free or the plot will be reassigned to the next name on the wait list or tilled in after 10 days notice of the need to clean it up.
4. Gardeners will stay on the Garden paths or your own plot. This also means that your garden should not grow into someone else’s plot or block use of the paths.
5. Herbicides (also known as weed killers) may never be used in the Garden. Gardeners must also be cautious about any activities (like pesticides, invasive plants, over watering, etc.) which could affect their neighbor’s plot. Organic gardening techniques are highly encouraged.
6. All gardeners (or their adult representatives) must participate in at least one of the mandatory work days during the second weekend of April to mark out the plots and paths and to spread mulch on the paths and along the outside of the fence. No plots will be assigned until the Garden has been set out. The rain date will be the third weekend in April. Gardeners are also encouraged to participate in the Gardening Tilling Day the third weekend of April (or fourth weekend if weather requires) to hand-till the Garden plots with hand tools and machines. Other volunteer events (like to plant flowers along the fence, etc. are encouraged but at this point are not mandatory). The mandatory weekend was pushed back a week so as not to conflict with religious holidays.
7. No pets are permitted in the Garden.
8. Gardeners should not leave tools in the paths where someone could trip over them and should return any of the community tools to their regular location near the gate when they leave for the day.
9. Children are welcome in the Garden, but must be supervised at all times by an adult.
10. Unless the plot has been reserved for the following year, gardeners should clean up their plot and remove any objects placed there by the gardener (including stakes and rocks, etc.) by November 1 or they may be banned from having Garden plot in the following season.
11. If a plot contains blighted plants, the gardener will be given one week’s notice to remove or cure the plant or to convince the Garden Operations Committee chairs that it is not dangerous to other plants in the Garden and should not be pulled and destroyed.
Although the consensus was to approve the rules as rephrased (above), I’d like to remind everyone that most of these rules in some form were already approved on May 5. Since I’m usually the rebel in the back row and don’t have children, being the authoritarian is a new experience for me. We decided against a suggestion to ban criminal activity in the Garden as too obvious to be necessary and my idea to permit alcohol in the Garden (for fundraisers, etc.) was also quickly killed. No one suggested reinstatement of the rule against tall plants.
Fundraising. This is not really a Garden Operations matter, but it came up and so I’ll share what little I know on the issue. Barb has been suggesting for some weeks now that we approach the Bexley Tree Commission because its members are very supportive of our Garden and have traditionally proven to be prodigious fundraisers for their own matters. She suggested that we approach them for financial assistance. Bruce mentioned that they were meeting on Wednesday and Alysha volunteered to attend their meeting on short notice to beg for money on behalf of the Garden. I’ve heard that they were supportive, but don’t have money to make a grant. A number of them indicated an interest in making contributions as individuals.
Alysha suggested that it might be worthwhile to set up a table to take donations (and possibly plot registrations) at the weekly Farmer’s Market and at the Fall Harvest Festival (which I’ve never attended).However, we currently have no volunteers to staff any such tables.
Some people have asked why we haven’t received any grants. Clearly, I have no first-hand knowledge since I am not on the grantor committees. However, I will share that a number of prominent grants – like the Scotts/Columbus Foundation grant -- require the gardens to belong to or be sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We have not yet formed a formal organization, let alone sought IRS approval for 501(c)(3) status. (This IRS applications usually take months for approval). I am facing the same issue the Stoddart Garden, so I can relate to this. We also do not have a 501(c)(3) organization willing to act as our sponsoring fiscal agent. Some grantors – like Lowe’s – will not award funds to religious organizations (for those of you wondering why we do not affiliate with a local church) and others prefer funding educational organizations (like elementary schools).
Harvest Potluck. Bexley Gardeners should have received by now an invitation from Ginny for a Harvest Potluck dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Garden on October 17. I have no details about this. Since Ginny provided the invitation, she has been asked to clarify a few issues and I understand that a revised invitation will be coming soon. She is working with only one other person on the Garden’s Special Events committee. That seems like a lot of work for two people and anyone else interested in working with Ginny on the Potluck (and helping to create and coordinate more special and social events next year) should email her promptly to share your enthusiasm.
[Editor's Note:] Ginny has rescheduled the potluck for 5:00 p.m. on October 17, 2009 in the Garden. Rain date is the following week. She will provide beverages and desserts. Gardeners must supply everything else: food, tables, chairs, linens, etc.
Next Meeting. We will be holding a full meeting of the Friends of the Bexley Community Garden – such as we are – on Thursday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers to consider the early registration plan to raise money for compost, to make a decision about the type of compost and to approve or revise the Garden Rules. Since we have no formal organization or definition as to who constitutes a “Friend,” I think that is likely to consist of any Bexley community gardener and interested persons (unless, of course, I am thrown under the bus for making such a radical suggestion).
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
The Garden Operations Committee of the Friends of the Bexley Community Garden met on Monday evening at Barb’s house. (We had planned to meet on her front porch, but we moved inside to her dining room table because few people showed up and it was a little cool). However, we covered a lot of ground in our hour meeting.
Garden Design/Water. About ten days earlier, Bruce announced that he learned that the City planned to run a water line along the southern edge of the Garden (and not just the far east side). The City Engineer indicated that he could run several lines into the Garden from the main line. This may not cost us any money. The City Engineer also indicated that he planned to clear out the woods on the north side of the Garden (including stumps). We hope that he does not chop down the tree which houses a bee hive and speaks with Mark about this in advance. Until these projects have been completed, we cannot plan on expanding the garden northward or decide which garden design will best accommodate the available water lines. (Note: we need to determine whether additional environmental testing will be required for the expanded areas of the Garden).
Compost. We returned to our ongoing conversation about compost. Because we want to be considerate of the time of Mark and other city employees, we are only planning on him plowing one more time (in November). He has generously offered to dump six inches of twice-shredded leaves on the Garden and I explained that my brother in law has a similar system which works very well for his garden. However, we don’t want to have to rely on Mark and our soil will need additional nutrients that are not plentiful in shredded leaves. For instance, we could use additional nitrogen which is readily available from coffee grounds if enough gardeners would volunteer to pick up grounds from area coffee shops. We also need to add sulfer and/or peat moss to decrease the soil pH.
We might be able to get 8 cubic yards of free Com-Til. Barb said that she would personally visit the facility to obtain a donation and has a pick up truck (which would require 4 trips). She would dump it near our new compost bins and gardeners could help themselves.
Ideally, we’d like to get enough compost from Kurtz Brothers or Ohio Mulch to put six inches on the ground. If we expand the garden east by another 70 feet, that would be almost 207 cubic yards of compost, which would be about 5.5 large dump trucks. (This morning I did some research and learned that Kurtz Brothers estimates that this would cost us $4860 to put six inches of compost on the Garden as expanded. This amount divided by 80 plots would be approximately $61.00 per each 140 sf plot. If we decided to go with only three inches of purchased compost (on top of the shredded leaves that Mark plans to add), then it would only be $30 per 140 sf plot. Based on the prices listed on the Ohio Mulch website, the cost would be more.) By way of comparison, we only applied three inches of compost at the SACG and everything grew gangbusters. (Of course, the cost for each plot could be more if the City decides to also charge the Garden for water next year.)
Garden Plot Registration. In order to be able to purchase the compost this Fall, we will be recommending to the full Committee (and possibly the entire FBCG) that registration deadlines be well publicized and set for this Fall: November 1 will be the deadline forBexley residents to register for a single plot. Bexley residents who want additional plots will be able to reserve them (if they are still available after November 1) beginning onNovember 2. Columbus residents can then register for plots (if they are available) beginning on November 8 and will be able to register for additional plots (if they are available) beginning on November 15. The hope is that we can raise enough funds from the registration fees to purchase the compost in time to add it to the Garden after it is plowed and before the snow falls. Of course, we will need to schedule a work day to rake up the remaining mulch on the paths (before Mark plows on November 13) and to spread any compost we are able to purchase in November.
Bexley residents and others are still encouraged to reserve plots which can be donated to any economically challenged gardener.
Garden Rules. In light of the recommended early registration, we will want the registrants to be aware of the Garden Rules before they register for a plot. This was a glitch this year because gardeners who registered online and did not attend meetings of the FBCG (or view this website) were unaware of the expectations. Accordingly, we are recommending to the full committee in two weeks (and possibly the full FBCG) that the following rules be adopted (although not necessarily as worded). Explanatory comments are in italics.
1. Gardeners must be planted in the Garden before May 20 and keep it planted for the rest of the summer or the plot will be reassigned to the next name on the wait list or tilled in after 10 days notice. The date was moved up so that a subsequent gardener would have time to plant spring/summer crops.
2. If a gardener must abandon his or her plot for any reason (or be absent for more than 10 days), the gardener should notify a Garden Operations Chair so that the ripe produce may be harvested and donated to a food pantry or shelter and/or the plot reassigned to the next name on the wait list (as applicable).
3. Gardeners will keep their plots and the adjacent paths weeded and litter free or the plot will be reassigned to the next name on the wait list or tilled in after 10 days notice of the need to clean it up.
4. Gardeners will stay on the Garden paths or your own plot. This also means that your garden should not grow into someone else’s plot or block use of the paths.
5. Herbicides (also known as weed killers) may never be used in the Garden. Gardeners must also be cautious about any activities (like pesticides, invasive plants, over watering, etc.) which could affect their neighbor’s plot. Organic gardening techniques are highly encouraged.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
The Garden Operations Committee of the Friends of the Bexley Community Garden met on Monday at 6:30 in the Garden (in our new bench seating area near the new children’s garden).
Garden Design. The Committee reviewed two proposed designs for the Garden next year. Alysha prepared a design which expands the Garden eastward by 70 feet, has one five-foot wide path going east-west and a smaller, three-foot wide north-sout path every 25 feet (going fence to fence). The benefit of this design is that there will be one water spicket (after the City runs a water line along the east side of the lot) and one path will limit the damage inflicted by dragging the water hose from one end of the Garden to the other. Her plots were roughly 9x12 (or 108 sf) and would allow for gardeners to sign up for multiple plots. Priscilla’s design only went out another 30 feet (per Mark’s suggestion) but could go another 40 feet eastward without any problem. Her plots were 10 x 14 (or 140 sf), but the plots in the island section could be larger (i.e., 150 sf) or smaller (i.e., 100 sf), depending on preference of the group). Her design maximizes fence space and has one five-foot paths going in a “Block O”formation – touching all of the plots once. The group was leaning towards Alysha’s design because of the water hose issues, but did not make a final recommendation for the whole group. They decided, however, that they wished to have three gates and to extend the Garden eastward by 70 feet. No one thought that the minimal slope would create any significant problems.
Garden Operations. Jay reported that he had met with the Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Grandview about its community garden. The Grandview Victory Garden has been in continuous operation for more than 70 years. It has been run for many years by the City of Grandview. There are three different plot sizes available and the City charges a fee to cover the cost of plowing the field once each March, for marking the plots and for supplying water. There are a number of spickets in the Grandview arden. A City employee inspects the garden once each month and registration is handled through the Recreation Department. There are no other services provided by the City, such as a compost bin, fencing, compost, seeds, community plots, a children’s garden, water hose, tools, mulched paths, or a supporting association. There are very few rules and virtually no expectations of the gardeners (other than that they pay on time, keep their plots planted and weeded and don’t leave the water running). They walk through dirt/muddy paths to get to their plots. The plots are limited to Grandview residents (and residency must be proven).
Priscilla reported that the community garden of the Dublin Moravian Church was similarly bare-bones and had been her model in starting a smaller community garden nearby, but she had discovered in starting the Stoddart Avenue Community Garden in March that the Bexley area gardeners have much higher expectations (other than very low maintenance Alysha, of course) and insisted on fencing, water and compost before they would invest their time in planting and weeding.
Some committee members expressed support for imposing no or very limited expectations on the gardeners as a condition of participation. Particular objection was made to the current requirement of spending 10 hours per gardening season on general garden improvements (like mulched and weeded pathways and planting/weeding/watering potential flower borders) as unenforceable and unreasonable.
Compost. Once again, no decision was made on compost. We only have $600 in our current budget and we need to spend some of this on fencing the enlarged Garden. Alysha and Priscilla reported that the City of Columbus is willing to provide 8 cubic yards of Com-Til to community gardens and suggested that Bruce find out if Bexley would qualify since it is part of the sewer district, etc. We would still need to arrange for our own delivery. Alysha also reported that she had calculated that it would take 66 cubic yards of compost – or more than 3 dump truck loads -- to cover the current 126 x 57 layout of the Garden (which, as mentioned above, we intend to enlarge in November). (This calculation can be confirmed on the Kurtz Bros. website at http://www.kurtz-bros.com/services/conversion-charts.aspx). As previously reported, that will cost at least $1800. Jay seemed to think it was unreasonable to expect the Garden to supply compost to the gardeners and we should supply our own. We could also rely on Mark to spread six inches of twice shredded (and FREE) leaves to improve the soil as well.
City Involvement. Bruce reported that it was important for the Friends to make the decisions since the City did not have the motivation or resources to improve the Garden. The City was not currently planning on running an additional water line to connect both sides of the Garden to the proposed water line being installed this Fall. There was some discussion about whether the City could plow both this November and next April. There was some confusion about whether the April plowing had been cancelled because of Mark’s schedule or because the gardeners wanted to plant perennial crops.
Miscellaneous. We scoped out potential sites for the compost bin which Steve had volunteered to build. Jessica had posts for him to use.
Next Meeting. We will meet in two weeks – August 31 -- again on Monday at 6:30 in the Garden. We will be discussing revising the Garden Rules of Operation (i.e., assignment of plots and conditions imposed on gardeners). I will circulate a draft of the rules we agreed to on May 5. Jay already passed out a copy of the rules used in Grandview.
[Editor's Note: The location of the meeting has been moved to Barb's front porch. See the Calendar for more details.]
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
Garden Design. We began by reviewing several options for a new design for the Garden which Alysha prepared. The drawings were very precise and drawn pretty much to scale. She envisioned a grid pattern with one wide (i.e., five foot) east-west path and several narrower paths going north-south from fence to fence. The drawings included options for expanding the Garden eastward by another thirty to seventy feet. All of the options envisioned many plots going to the fence. Alysha pointed out that over 1/3 of our current gardeners have double plots. In light of discussion last week to limit folks to one plot in light of the demand by Bexley residents to join the Garden, she thought that it would make sense to make the plots larger than the current 10x10 to make it easier for families to accept less square footage next year (despite sacrificing with us all of this year). There was more discussion about whether to give families two plots and singles one plot or whether two adults in a family could each sign up for their own plot, etc. Some gardeners were not interested in joining the garden for only a 10 x 10 plot. I pointed out that some new and some busy gardeners might not want more than 10x10 and we should consider two sizes. The group agreed that any new design should provide for at least 50 plots. Bruce suggested plot sizes of 12 x 18, which could be cut down to 12 x 9 for folks who wanted a smaller plot. That seemed agreeable to everyone.
Alysha’s design had the benefit of making it easier to drag the water hose to a plot without damaging other gardeners’ plots on the way. However, I was concerned that it was not as easy to walk around and view the garden without constantly backing up and retracing steps. I suggested what Amy calls the “donut” design. Instead of several north-south narrow paths and one wide east-west path, it has one Block-O shape wide path which intersects with every plot.
Both designs envision less of the Garden devoted to pathways than the current design. Both designs permit plots to go to the fence. Both designs will have a more attractive gateway (probably centered on the message board) with a seating area and possibly a community/children’s garden area.
The group agreed that they wanted at least two gates, and a place for benches. After taking into account everyone’s comments, the Committee will look at revised designs next week: one with a grid pattern and one with a donut path. The Committee will then recommend the favored design to the full Friends of Bexley Community Garden at the next full meeting.
Garden Break Down. Bruce reported that Mark is tentatively scheduled to plow up the Garden again on or about November 13, 2009, so we need to have everything wood or metal, etc. out of the Garden by then. Gardeners had been previously told that they did not need to be out until October 31, which left two weeks for us to clean it up before Mark plows. Last year’s first frost date was October 29. We might want to consider raking up some of the wood chips so that their decomposition does not deprive the soil of any nitrogen.
The thought is that this will be the last time that the Garden is plowed. After this, gardeners will need to provide or organize rototilling or double digging, etc. to prepare the soil in their plots. This will also permit perennial crops and fall plantings next year.
We will need a place to store the benches and garden tools. Ginny had previously said the City could store the materials, but that had never been confirmed. Bruce said he would look into it.
Compost. Mark strongly recommends that no gardeners put any fruit or vegetables in the Garden’s compost pile because the seeds do not decompose very quickly and will lead to lots of “volunteer” plants in the garden springing up from this year’s seeds. Instead, just put green stuff (i.e., leaves, vines, and grass). The City will give us lots of double-shredded leaves from the leaf pick-up.
The group again discussed how to improve the soil. The cover crop suggested last week by Jessica has its advantages, but will make it more difficult to till the soil next Spring. Mark also suggested (through Bruce) that it would not be in the ground long enough to make a significant difference. Mark reported that he will be shredding leaves twice before adding them to the Garden so that they will decompose more quickly than we considered last week. (He previously reported that he planned to add six inches of shredded leaves to the top of the Garden in order to improve the soil and pH level). He also reported that decomposing leaves will not tie up the nitrogen like decomposing wood chips. Jay reported that he met someone who suggested putting down coffee grounds in the fall to improve the soil for Spring. There was some discussion about the variety of ingredients in good compost (including horse manure, etc.). I reported that I thought that we should add sulfer and/or peat moss before Mark plows to lower the pH (as recommended by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst report of a soil sample I obtained in June). We then discussed whether leaves should be plowed in or just put on top of the soil to over winter the garden.
I reported that Bill Dawson had recommended to me for the Stoddart Avenue Garden that we simply add another three inches of compost to the top of the soil over the winter and he did not think a cover crop was necessary. Of course, we already had three inches of compost worked into the soil at Stoddart Avenue, unlike the Bexley Garden. This lead to a discussion of how much – if any – compost Mark had added to the soil in May before plowing. I explained that it had been clear to me from seeing the site just before it was plowed that it hadn’t been much, but Ginny reported in late June that Mark told her that he had not added any compost. Bruce thought he had added some and said he would clarify that issue with Mark.
It was decided to table this subject for at least another week.
Other Business. I suggested that we needed to focus on our short and long-term needs for the Garden so that we could give a wish list and plan for the Garden to the fundraising committee, so that they can get to work. We should probably have a Plan A and a Plan B for improving the soil based on what we would like in the ideal situation and what we could currently afford. Amy reported that the fundraising committee needed a strategic plan and vision for the garden before she could work up a fundraising plan.
Next meeting. We will meet next Monday at 6:30 p.m. To make it easier for Barb, we will meet in the Garden (weather permitting). Rain location: Cup O’Joe’s.
We will be discussing the final options for a new garden design, short and long terms plans and needs and, of course, compost.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Bexley Garden Welcomes New Children’s Garden Plus Some
Barb has been wanting a children’s garden for a while now and even mentioned it at the last meeting of the Friends of Bexley Community Garden. Over the weekend, she was inspired to get a small baby pool at a garage sale, involved Lisette in the idea and obtained support from DeMonye’s Greenhouse (with the donation of garden soil). Tonight, she recruited three neighborhood cutie pies to help her in her adventure. They planted spinach, lettuce and radishes. Barb also planted some rosemary bushes near our new benches (courtesy of our aspiring Eagle Scout, Anthony Murdock). Barb is so patient with kids in the Garden and has involved them whenever possible in planting her own plot. This makes perfect sense since she’s a retired Special Education teacher.
While I was there mulching around the fourth bench, I finally met Renee (the gardener with the mysterious tomato contraptions that have become a conversation piece in the Garden) while she spread mulch around her plot and along the south fence all the way from her plot to the Parsons.’ Renee had a good question for me, though. She wondered if she was allowed to remove the nylon rope surrounding her plot. Absolutely! The nylon ropes had initially been strung by City employees from side to side in the Garden to mark the paths so we volunteers could spread mulch on them in May. However, when people kept tripping (and in some cases falling) over them, I ripped them out. Another Garden volunteer thought that people might still like to know the contours of their own plot and went to a lot of trouble to stake out plots for folks (without the ropes crossing the pathways as before). However, the nylon ropes are not mandatory or anything. If it would liberate your gardening style to remove the rope, then feel free to do so. You don't see any nylon ropes around my plot and my neighbor, Al, and I have had no problems figuring out our plot borders.
Putting together the garden map lets me meet all kinds of gardeners. For instance, I finally learned that the gardener responsible for the amazing tomatoes (the ones you’ve all been ogling and for a while were the only green plants in the garden) is Jessica. We all need not feel utterly incompetent, though. In a former life, Jessica was a professional farmer. And not just any farmer – but a farmer of heirloom tomatoes that she sold at the North Market for many years. Luckily for us, she recently moved to Bexley. So recent, in fact, that she still hasn’t yet unpacked her tomato stakes. It’s so nice to have a tomato expert in the Garden.
I’ve posted the most updated map of the Garden on the message board. Maybe you can use it to meet your neighbors, too.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
On Thursday, July 23, 2009, seven Friends of the Bexley Community Garden met near our new message board on the east side of the Garden. Everyone agreed that Capital University did an outstanding job constructing the message board for the Garden and it is much appreciated. There was a little discussion about how the Garden will grow around the message board next year as the Garden expands eastward.
The meeting began with a discussion about the need to form a 501(c)(3) organization. Forming such a tax-exempt organization will greatly assist with fundraising and grant applications (and is often a requirement of some grants). Some gardens associate with a non-profit fiscal agent (which keeps a percentage of the donation or grant as a processing fee).
Some members wondered if the Garden needed to raise any significant funds which would make 501(c)(3) worth the trouble. There seemed to be a desire to buy at least three inches of compost to put on the Garden this Fall so that Mark would have time to plow it in and greatly improve the quality of the Garden soil. This would likely cost $1200-1500, unless we used less expensive Com-Til (which is sewage treated compost sold by the City of Columbus. More information is available at http://utilities.columbus.gov/DOSD/Com-til_NEW.htm). Of course, we wouldn’t be able to get a 501(c)(3) formed and approved by the IRS in time for such a purchase. Ginny suggested that Mark would get a donation of compost or we already had funds in our accounts sufficient to buy the compost this Fall. (I’m not sure how $17/plot fees for 44 plots would have raised that much money, especially after our $1500 soil test and bulk fertilizer purchase). There has been discussion in the past about building raised beds for disabled gardeners, installing an attractive iron fence, proper gates, stone pathways, etc. Barb suggested constructing a raised bed for a children’s garden. Alysha suggested that we have each of the committees meet and discuss a wish list to determine what our financial needs are likely to be in the future.
Alysha passed out a list of the committee sign-up list. There have been five suggested committees: Garden Operations, Special Events, Education, Communications and Fundraising. Thirteen volunteers have signed up so far for the committees. Alysha will help them get their first meetings scheduled, will attend each meeting and will coordinate the initial communication between the committees. Each committee should elect a chair and the chairs will form an Executive Committee.
Jay asked how plots would be assigned next year. That cannot be yet determined since the design of the Garden will be modified and it will be plowed at least once more. There was a debate over whether first preference should be given to existing gardeners or to folks who were wait listed and were unable to get a plot this year. I suggested that Garden Operations should discuss this and let everyone else vote on it once we have a potential policy drafted.
We currently have three vacant plots. Anthony Murdock – our aspiring Eagle Scout – is planning to sell bike helmets at a greatly reduced price at the Bexley Farmer’s Market on Saturday and in Reynoldsburg on Sunday to pay for the materials needed to build cedar benches for the Garden. We need everyone to come out and support his sale and to help him sell helmets. We agreed that at least two of the benches should go it the vacant plot against the west fence in the shade near the water tank. Of course, the tank is merely temporary and the City eventually plans to install a water line on the east side of the Garden.
Ginny said that she would try to remember to put a map of the Garden with everyone’s names on the message board so that we could see where the vacant plots were, where the community plots were and the names of our neighbors. It was pointed out that the map should contain the Gardeners’ first names and last initial, instead of visa versa. Aside from the privacy interests of the Gardeners, we want to be social by calling each other by our first names instead of last names. At present, no one really knows the names of the gardeners whose plot is next to theirs.
The Garden is looking a little ragged because many gardeners are not weeding their plots or the paths and the mulch paths have gotten a little thin. The Garden will be the second stop on the August 8 bus tour of new gardens at the American Community Garden Association national convention being held at the Franklin Park Conservatory in August. We need all gardeners to come and clean up their plots and surrounding areas and to help spread mulch between now and then in order to make a good impression. Saturday, August 1 was scheduled as a good day for gardeners to jointly work together. Ginny will be in Chicago and Barb will also be gone during the bus tour and we need volunteers to be at the Garden at 9:30 and 1:30 on Saturday, August 8 when the bus tour visits the Garden in order to answer questions and provide a quick tour. Alysha and I will be at the Stoddart Avenue Garden since it is the first stop on the tour, although I could try to follow the bus to Bexley in the afternoon if need be. We had one volunteer to host the ACGA visitors, but we could use more. Ginny will lead the August 1 garden clean-up.
Committees should meet between now and August 11. Alysha suggested that we did not need to have another full meeting until after August 8, by which we hope all of the committees have met at least once.
Jay reported that he had visited Fisher’s Greenhouse on Parsons Avenue (near I-270). He was delighted to discover that Fisher’s had many unusual edible plants (although the vegetable pickings were a little slim right now). In August, Fisher’s plans to host free tastings every weekend of heirloom tomatoes. Sounds interesting to me. You can get more details at http://jonfishergreenhouse.com/.
From the pictures, you can see that on Saturday, Anthony’s boy scout troop helped him sell bike helmets during the Bexley Farmer’s Market. Unfortunately, the unseasonable rain adversely affected the number of people who attended and the Market closed early because of weather. However, we sold 38 helmets (and have 142 more to sell). Mayor Brennan bought six. Ginny and I each bought one. We raised between $300-400 because we also received a number of donations. It’s important that Anthony sell the helmets soon because he wants to build the benches this week in time for the ACGA bus tour and so that he can focus on band camp which starts soon. If you haven’t bought a helmet yet for your household, please contact Anthony soon about doing so. He will be selling at the Reynoldsburg City Hall today. The helmets only cost $8.25 each and come in red, green or blue.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Welcome Bexley Garden’s New Message Board
This week, Mark finished a message board -- which Ginny says was constructed by Capital University -- for the Bexley Community Garden and it looks swell. I had been pushing for a message board for a few months. The design used is not quite what I had suggested, but it’s SOOOO much better than my suggestion and WAAAYYY exceeds my expectations. (I had suggested a simple sandwich board to which we could staple or pin messages (placed inside weather protected plastic sheets, like I use at the Stoddart Garden)). This message board, on the other hand, has a hinged cover to protect the messages from the weather. So much better. I am so envious.
Of course, I cannot use the same design at the SACG because my lease precludes permanent improvements and Mark had to sink fence posts into the ground with concrete. But I’m still envious. I think Pastor Lance would be, too, if he saw it.
I’m wondering, though, if we expand the Garden east next year whether we will keep the message board where it is and garden around it or move it a few feet south . . . . . .
Ginny says that we need someone to donate push pins (so that messages can be posted).
Don’t forget that the Friends of the Bexley Community Garden are meeting Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 in the Garden to – as Ginny puts it – “to go over committees etc.” She says that it is an “important meeting.”
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Boy Scout Raising Money for Bexley Garden by Selling Bike Helmets on July 25.
Anthony needs volunteers from the Friends of the Bexley Community Garden to help him: (1) He needs volunteers on July 25 to help him at the sales table; (2) He needs a volunteer to create a sales poster for the table; and (3) He needs information about the benefits of the BCG. If you can help, please contact Anthony directly or email me and I’ll put you in touch. Obviously, everyone should tell their friends and family about the helmet sale and buy a helmet for themselves or their children.
Anthony has been a boy scout for 11 years and is a member of Troop 826 on Waggener Road in Reynoldsburg.
I plan to help Anthony on July 25. On a related note, I harvested my first produce from the Bexley Garden last night: a pretty Asian eggplant. Yippee.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Bexley Garden is Getting Organized.
Friends of the Bexley Community Garden met tonight in City Council Chambers to address a number of issues. First, Ginny has been overwhelmed with the amount of work and communication involved with our large group and undertaking and needs more volunteers to step up and pitch in.
Second, there is an obvious problem with the quality of the soil in the Garden and most gardeners have reported that their plants are dying, and many of their seeds have not sprouted or grown beyond an inch. Mark believes this is because of overwatering by every single gardener. I know for a fact that this is not true. It turns out that no – or extremely little – compost was put on the Garden before it was plowed. I am very suspicious that we have a pH problem, which is inhibiting the uptake of nutrients (like nitrogen) by our plants. Because the site used to be a dump, I think it likely that lime or wood ash was added to the soil, which would make the soil very alkaline. I have no idea about the extent of the problem. The two rows in my plot which had been tractor furrows were filled in with store-bought top soil and are doing fine. My plants which were planted in with a lot of compost from my house are also doing better than most plants. The soil has been freakishly dry when I dig down more than one inch.
I’ve taken a soil sample and will mail it tomorrow to UMass in Amherst to find out what is wrong with the soil. For $13, UMass will conduct a simple soil pH and Buffer pH test, provide an estimate of how much lime, sulfur or other additive is need to correct the pH, conduct a test for extractable nutrients, extractable Heavy Metals (like Lead), Cation Exchange Capacity, and Percent Base Saturation, provide recommendations for nutrient supplementation and provide a determination and interpretation of the Percent of Organic Matter in the soil sample. However, we might not get the results back for more than a week. In the meantime, if my suspicions are correct, I would recommend adding some fertilizer and working in or laying down some peat moss to increase the acidity of the soil.
I will post the results on this site along with the recommendations, if any, from UMass.
Third, Ginny reported that Mark will be dumping a truck load of compost near the Garden which gardeners are encouraged to work into their plots. You might even think about gently digging up your seedlings, working in compost and then replanting your seedlings. (This obviously is not an option for corn, beans, peas, etc., but might be for your tomatoes and peppers).
Fourth, we also discussed forming a formal organization, forming committees and electing Committee Chairs and officers to provide leadership and accountability to get things done and take some pressure off Ginny. There are approximately 180 community gardens in Central Ohio. A number of them are connected with schools. Others are connected with churches (and part of their mission committees). Some are programs of local non-profit organizations, like Central Community House, Godman Guild, Southside Community House, etc. Some are operated by cities; Grandview’s Victory Garden is run by the Grandview Parks & Recreations Department. As many of you know, I formed my own community garden on Stoddart Avenue, but am likely at some point to form a non-profit and turn over its operation (as well as all of the responsibility that comes with it). The City of Bexley does not want to operate our community Garden, does not have the resources to do so and understood that we would be forming an organization to run the Garden. That has not happened yet.
I explained the benefit of incorporating (i.e., no individual liability by the volunteers or leaders). We could also have an unincorporated association. Both would require the creation of a constitution or articles of incorporation. We would need to articulate a broad mission with charitable and/or educational goals in order to eventually obtain tax exempt status from the IRS. We would also need to formulate bylaws/regulations to create a structure, officers, members, etc. We discussed forming a number of committees: Fundraising, Special Events, Garden Operations/Maintenance, Education, and Communication. A few individuals present were uncomfortable with creating a formal organization. However, we need to have a better system for identifying and addressing issues than is currently in place and something to protect the volunteers from potential liability when acting on behalf of the organization. Alysha will be emailing everyone with the committees. Please let her know which one or two committees on which you will agree to serve. Committees can then elect their Chair and the Committee Chairs can form an Executive Committee.
A concern was expressed about standing water in the Garden (in unattended buckets) creating a West Nile virus risk. Please be attentive to leaving standing water for more than a day.
Another concern was expressed about the amount of glass left over from the dump which formerly existed at the Garden and the litter found floating about. One of the neighbors volunteered an extra trash can where we can dump glass and other trash. Someone can empty it periodically.
A few neighbors do not own any Garden tools. Ginny requested that everyone donate a dollar or two so that we can buy them some implements.
Some of the gardeners cannot afford seedlings. If you have extra seedlings, please bring them to the Garden on Monday or Tuesday night so that we can give them to the plantless gardeners.
Master Gardener Barb is available for consultations and training for inexperienced Gardeners. She plans to be in the Garden on most Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I’ve asked her to put together a potential lecture schedule so that you can come to the Garden on those dates if you want to learn more about gardening techniques. She’s been great in letting the neighborhood kids help her with her plot.
Our other Master Gardener will be working with her grandson to create a sandwich sign to put at the Garden on which to place announcements and were we can leave messages for one another.
Our boy scout has submitted plans for the benches. Unfortunately, our current paths are too narrow to accommodate benches. There was some discussion about whether the benches should be inside or outside the fence. The paths can barely accommodate two people, so it's not really an option to have them inside the fence. We do not have any empty plots which could also be converted to a seating area. Ginny has submitted the bench plans to the City since we'll need approval to sink the benches into the ground (to keep them from being stolen).
Finally, since Ginny has been too busy, she has had no time to actually garden herself. She has given one of her two plots to another gardener. Her other plot will be converted to a community plot to benefit a food bank. Again, gardeners with extra seedlings are encouraged to bring them to the Garden on Monday or Tuesday evening (before 8). As reported here in my last posting about the Bexley Garden, we had more gardeners signed up than we had plots. However, some of those gardeners have decided not to garden with us this year, so we no longer plan to expand the Garden this year after all.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Bexely Community Garden Update
The plan is that next week Mark will plow further east from the Garden. It is unclear at this point whether there will be a fence around the extended area of the Garden. There has been discussion about leaving the current fence in place (thus separating the two garden areas). It is also unclear at this point how much further east Mark will plow or how many more plots will be available. 20 was a number mentioned, but for now, we're leaving this to Mark's discretion based on the available sun and the fact that the City plans to run a water line through that part of the lot.
Lots of neighbors are participating and watch over the Garden. Very fun and reassuring.
The water truck -- which quite inconveniently broke on the Friday before Memorial Day during an unseasonable dry spell -- has been repaired and there is now a spicket on the end of the hose. Gardeners need no longer bring water from home. Hopefully, the spicket will mean that we will no longer be going through 500 gallons every two days, but we shall see.
The mulch has been spread on all of the paths, although the mulch is rather thin in some areas and could stand replenishing.
At City Hall, Bruce has the seeds donated by Livingston Seeds. We have a particularly large number of bean and corn seeds. If you want to take advantage of the free seeds, go see Bruce during business hours.
There has been no discussion in months about creating a formal organization and electing officers or spreading out responsibilities. Last week, Ginny was seeking volunteers to act as Garden Coordinators (i.e., monitor the Garden for maintenance and other needs). There had been a suggestion that a sign-up calendar be put up so that people could sign up for when they are willing to act as Coordinators. No such list has been posted.
One Gardener asked tonight that something be organized so that Gardeners could volunteer to take care of each other's plots during vacations. Individuals interested in participating in a garden swap should email me when they will be on vacation and their willingness to swap weeks with other Gardeners (i.e., in terms of watering and weeding).
There was a complaint that some of the Gardeners who registered online still are not receiving email updates from Bruce.
We also need a bulletin board -- or something -- where notices can be posted.
No further word about whether the Garden will still be a stop on the Bexley Home and Garden Tour on June 14, 2009.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
The Friends of the Bexley Community Garden met on Tuesday night at Christ Lutheran Church (since the City Council Chambers were being otherwise utilized). There were four new faces last night.
“Our” aspiring Eagle Scout – Anthony Murdock – reported that building the benches as he previously described might cost around $300. He found a good discount on lumber. However, his advisory committee suggested that he redesign the benches to incorporate pre-formed concrete in order to minimize rotted wood coming in contact with the ground. This would be slightly more expensive. However, the Friends seemed to think that this was a good idea.
Gardeners may register online to reserve a plot. There will be 10x10 plots for $15 and 10 x 20 plots for $30. There is a minimal convenience charge for registering with a credit card on the internet. Some gardeners reported problems registering for the Parks & Recreation website and, thus, have been unable to reserve a plot. If anyone else is having these problems, they should call Mike Price at 559- 4300. In addition, Bruce Langinger will take personal checks made payable to the City of Bexley during Friends meetings.
Gardeners in attendance at the meeting were able to initial which plots they wanted to reserve for themselves on a draft map of the Garden.
Bruce reported that he had submitted some grant applications and would be submitting more in the near future. The Garden site had been a residential landfill in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Although the soil tests came back with results that were within naturally occurring limits, Bruce indicated that no one should let their children eat the dirt at the Garden and should wash all produce thoroughly. Mark Moore will be burning the existing grass off and will be amending the soil with six inches of composted manure and leaves, but will not be plowing too deep because of a fear of disturbing the remnants of the prior dump. Gardeners should expect to unearth some debris (like glass, etc.) when digging. (Those of us at Stoddart can only laugh because we are constantly digging out glass, bricks, large blocks of concrete and black top, etc. from our garden).
Bruce also reported that the Friends of Alum Creek have applied for a SWACO grant to create a composting program in Bexley that will benefit the Garden. One of the new Friends indicated that he could build a compost bin for us on one of the 10x 10 garden plots.
Amy will be meeting with Trinity Lutheran Seminary about how to structure gifts to the Friends through Trinity.
We are tentatively reserving the north plots for folks who wish to grow tall crops (like corn) and one gardener wanted to install a grape arbor.
The Friends reviewed the draft rules which Ginny had previously circulated. There was a discussion about the meaning of organic and whether we wanted stricter rules about what kinds of fertilizers and pest repellents that should be banned. It was decided to encourage gardeners to use as many organic practices as possible and no one wanted to police this at this point in time until we have more time to consider all ramifications and opportunities. There was also a discussion about how to handle maintenance duties and plot tidiness. People would be left to the honor system in putting in their volunteer hours. If gardeners are concerned about the tidiness of a particular lot, they could post an anonymous message at the gate and/or inform the Garden’s leadership.
Ginny brought a box of seeds donated by Livingston Seeds. There was, for example, lettuce and cucumbers. There were also three gigantic bags of corn and beans.
Mark Moore also obtained a fence for the Garden from Sutherlands and, weather permitting, plans to mark the plots with flags. Mark had planned to plow the Garden this week, which would permit us to begin spreading the mulch on the paths this weekend, mark out plots and possibly hang the fence. However, it does not look like the weather will be cooperating with us. Bruce will send a mass email on Friday about whether we should get together this Saturday to begin spreading the mulch, etc. or whether we will have to wait another week.
The Friends will be meeting again at our regular time and place on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Bill Dawson from the Franklin Park Conservatory/American Community Garden Association will be making a presentation.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Online Registration Is in Place
It’s official. You can now register for your garden plots online through the City of Bexley’s online registration through the Parks & Recreation Department. There were some hiccups in getting this started and at present it looks like there will only be 10 x 10 plots in the garden this year (regardless of what the online registration site indicates), but Bexley area gardeners who want to reserve a plot in the Bexley Community Garden should visit the following site: http://activenet10.active.com/bexley/ or Recreation and Parks Online Registration System.
You’ll need to register to use the site before you can sign up for a plot. If you have already done this, then once you reach this site, click on “View Activities” and go to the second page where you will see near the top (under Flag Football) “Friends of Bexley Community Garden.” Select a small garden plot and then hit continue until it’s time to checkout.
You’ll be offered a trial magazine subscription, but can turn it down.
You’ll also be required to agree to an indemnification clause as a condition of participating in the Bexley Community Garden.
The base price of the small garden plots is $15.50 and there is a $1 service fee.
The Friends of Bexley Community Garden will NOT be meeting on Thursday. The meeting has been rescheduled to May 5 (Cinqo de Mayo) and will be relocated (probably to Christ Lutheran Church a block east on Main Street).
Friday, April 24, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Update
Ginny announced that she had spoken with Livingston Seeds about donating seeds to the garden. Because our kickoff has been delayed, Livingston Seeds will provide seeds for plants that can be planted in or after mid-May (i.e., no early season crops, like lettuce). Ginny also repeated that Hamilton Parker will be donating paver stones.
Arrangements have been made for gardeners to register for plots in the Bexley garden through the Recreation Department website. Gardeners should be able to begin registering on Monday (and I’ll post a link on this site once I’ve been able to successfully register myself). A $2 surcharge will be added to defray the City’s expenses (i.e., $17 for a 8x10 plot and $34 for a 15x20 plot).
The Garden will be promoted at Bexley’s annual Spring Festival at Pump House Park (across from Kroger’s). Fliers have been prepared and volunteers may pick them up from Ginny at the Festival on Saturday morning so that they can be distributed to the Garden’s neighbors at Ferndale and Mayfield Place. Ginny is also arranging for another article in the Bexley News.
Ginny distributed a draft of rules for the Garden for review and comment. Unfortunately, some were illegible and she will email another copy to the Friends. No dogs will be allowed in the Garden.
Trinity Lutheran Seminary has agreed to partner with the Garden to promote a sense of community. This will also enable us to seek grants through a 501(c)(3) organization.
Ginny reported that 3-foot fence was available at the old Tree Nursery. After a discussion, it was determined that this was not tall enough, but could be stacked to create a fence which might deter deer. We will be facing major shade challenges from the surrounding trees. Volunteers will need to install the fence, although the City will sink the fence posts (which is the hardest part of the job).
The results of the much anticipated soil test will be released on Friday. Ginny will forward the email to everyone on the list. This will tell us whether we will be able to plow and garden this year, or start the long process of building raised beds.
Our boy scout was present to seek help in raising funds to buy materials to build the Garden’s benches. Each bench will be constructed with lumbers and bolts and will cost approximately $40-50/each. He was encouraged to keep them small. Donors will be encouraged to make donations to the Garden through Trinity Seminary and Ginny will obtain all of the necessary details.
Volunteers needed: The soil testing issue has delayed the Garden’s opening day by several weeks. We are now looking at a mid-May kick off. Before we can begin planting, volunteers will first need to spread mulch on the garden paths and hang the fence. Please mark Saturday, May 2 and 9 on your calendars for when we will be spreading mulch and hanging fence. More details will follow.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friends of Bexley Community Garden Update
Our favorite Boy Scout from Reynoldsburg was present. He is building benches for the Garden on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He has worked up a design for the Garden benches and is waiting for approval from his scout committee. A question was raised about precautions being taken to prevent the benches from being stolen since benches are apparently disappearing at night and in broad daylight in the City of Columbus and New Albany. He said that he could easily modify the design to include rebar and quickcrete to embed the benches in the Garden. Another question was raised about the benches being too comfortable and attractive (i.e., unintentionally turning the Garden into a hotel). Suggestions were made that the benches should not be longer than a love seat and/or should include arm rests in the middle of the bench to preclude lengthy naps. Our scout indicated that he would bring that up with his committee. Our scout was most concerned with how to pay for the materials for the benches. He did not want to compete the Garden’s own fundraising efforts (which have not yet begun in earnest). It was suggested that a press release be issued publicizing his need for funds since there are apparently lots of supportive Bexley residents eager to assist with the Garden.
There were two members of the fundraising committee (Amy B and Mitch W). Amy has significant experience in fundraising for an urban farm in NYC. Before creating a development plan, she would need to see the budget and prioritization of needs so as to formulate a compelling ask, and strategy, etc. I directed her to Bruce, since I assume that some budget has been created in connection with the grant applications he has prepared.
The volunteer committee cannot make much progress without a schedule for when the Garden will be ready for volunteers to mark the paths, spread the mulch and, well, planting. There had been some discussion a few weeks ago about the Garden being plowed this week, but this has not happened. This might be because of the rainy weather this week or because the City has commissioned a more focused round of soil tests – at an expense of $1500 -- after reviewing the environmental tests taken two year ago before the City purchased the property. Six bores are being tested. I don’t know when the results will be back or what affect the results could have on the Garden or scheduling. The group was very anxious that this issue be resolved quickly so that planting plans could be made.
Concern was expressed that the Garden’s neighbors still have not been informed of the City’s plans for the property. Volunteers had expressed willingness at the last meeting to distribute brochures, etc., but no further action has been taken since then.
There was no update on the activities of the Capital University students or the greenhouse.
One of the Friends also gardens with the Four Seasons Community Garden, which is now supporting individual gardening plots on the east side of Columbus. Four Seasons also has many community garden plots courtesy of the City of Columbus’ $1 Lease Program. Friends were also told about the needs of Stoddart Garden for volunteers this Saturday – if you have nothing else better to do.
The Friends each introduced themselves and their interest in gardening.
We will be meeting every Thursday evening until the end of May. The next meeting will be Thursday, April 23 at 7:00 in City Council Chambers.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friends of Bexley Community Garden Meeting Update
Ginny made a few announcements. First, there will be two lot sizes available: 8 x 10 for $15.00 and 16 x 20 for $25.00. A $10.00 deposit will also be required to ensure that the lot is kept clean and cut down at the end of the season. Gardeners cannot plant trees. Mint can only be grown in containers. A sign-up sheet was passed around for Gardeners to indicate which sized lot they wanted. Ginny indicated that Bill Dawson recommended that gardeners be responsible for supplying their own tools instead of having a common tool shed.
Ginny also announced that Hamilton Parker will be donating paver stones for the Garden. Ginny and Mark found sufficient wood, spikes and fencing at the old tree nursery to support the Garden. There is also an old trellis we can use.
The Friends group will meet weekly on Thursdays for a few months while the Garden is established. There will be three committees: (1) Planning (to organize the Garden, draft bylaws and otherwise establish an organization); (2) Volunteers/Coordination (to monitor the Garden, compliance with rules and maintenance, supervise volunteers, etc.) and (3) Fundraising (to raise money to improve the Garden). A sign-up sheet was passed around for people to sign up for committees.
Ginny announced that she met with Bill Dawson last week and he thinks we are in good shape. Bill will be attending next week’s meeting. Bruce is apply for grants to support the Garden and anticipates affiliating with a 501(c)(3) groups until we are more established. (He has since confirmed that Trinity Lutheran Seminary has agreed to be our sponsoring 501(c)(3) organization while we apply for grants this year).
Bruce announced that an environmental company tested the Garden soil two years ago and we have asked to see the test results this week so that we don’t have to go through the expense of testing the soil again. This will only be an issue for root crops (like potatoes and carrots, etc.)
We are still planning on a May 1 opening date. The City is working on creating a sign-up spot on the website. There was a discussion about whether gardeners should be able to sign up (and pay) through Parks & Recreations because that website is already set up to accept such registration. However, we understand that Department is reluctant to support the Garden in this way.
Apparently, the Garden’s neighbors have not yet been told about the impending change in their neighborhood. This issue was again discussed and volunteers were willing to drop off pamphlets door to door so that the Garden’s immediate neighbors could join the Garden. Clearly, this is important and should not be put off until the last minute.
There was also another discussion about permitting non-Bexley residents to participate in the Garden. As was discussed at the last meeting, there is plenty of room in the Garden and Ginny and others wanted to make it available to nearby communities as well. Bruce indicated that opening the Garden to non-Bexley residents would help with grant proposals. However, some attendees wanted to exclude residents of New Albany and Dublin (which, of course, I oppose since I gardened in Dublin last year after no nearby community garden would take someone from Bexley). There was a discussion about setting an earlier deadline (say, May 10) for Bexley gardeners to register and then letting non-Bexley residents join the Garden if there was still space available after the Bexley registration date.
Ginny also suggested reserving a lot for a food pantry to which all gardeners would contribute seedlings and would jointly tend, weed and water. I suggested that we stick with the Plant a Row program since there is no way to ensure that people will properly maintain the food pantry plot. Some of the Capital students indicated that they would also have their own food pantry lot and welcomed help from other gardeners since most of the students will be gone over the summer.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Bexley Community Garden Meeting on April 8 at 7:00
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Bexley Community Garden To Be Shovel Ready By May 1!!!
Since my March 13 posting (Meeting on March 19 to Discuss Bexley Starting Its Own Community Garden), there have been two additional meetings of a small group of dedicated citizens to plan for the Bexley Community Garden (in the empty field between Mayfield and Ferndale Place). It is really shaping up nicely.
Between April 15 and May 1, the City plans to plow (with the help of equipment from Capital University) one acre of the available land, to level it out somewhat and improve it with six inches of composted leaves and horse manure. Volunteers are needed to help stake out paths and plots and to spread the mulch over the paths (which is also being donated by the City). The consensus was to offer gardeners the option of two sizes of plots: 10x10 and 20x20. The City is also providing free water for the plots. Vegetable seeds are being donated by the Livingstone Seed Company (and additional donated seedlings are being solicited). To help defray the Garden’s expenses (like for a perimeter fence and for benches, rain barrels, etc.), the group decided for this inaugural year to charge $15 for a 10x10 plot and $30 for the 20x20 plots. (No final decision has been made yet whether to run the finances through the City or through the Tree Commission/Columbus Foundation).
Volunteers are needed to serve on committees: (1) a planning committee to decide how to layout the garden; (2) a coordination/management committee to ensure that gardeners are actually gardening their lots and maintaining weeds, etc.; (3) a fundraising committee to raise funds for the Garden (eventually through the Friends of Bexley Community Garden); and (4) and organizational committee to set up the Friends of Bexley Community Garden non-profit organization. Initially, the group thought it would solicit $25 donations from area supporters and businesses to support the Garden. A committee might also be formed to create a booth at the Bexley Farmer’s Market to sell produce to support the Garden.
There will eventually be a small shed for communal tools. In the Fall, the City plans to erect a pole barn on the western end of the lot.
Tomorrow afternoon, Ginny, Mark Moore and interested volunteers are meeting at the old greenhouse on the old tree nursery to determine what items can be salvaged for the Garden. In particular, there may be enough lumber available to construct raised beds for elderly or disabled gardeners.
Capital University may be able to make its greenhouse available to start seeds before the May growing season.
About five or six gardeners will be able to park simultaneously in the connector/alley between Ferndale and Mayfield Place while at the Garden. There is additional parking available at the nearby apartment complex.
The Bexley Garden (like the Stoddart Avenue Garden) is still in need of fencing for a perimeter fence.
The Bexley Women’s Group has invited the Bexley Garden to join its mid-June Bexley House and Garden Tour (which will include President Gee’s home). We hope to be presentable by then since the Garden is off the beaten path, so to speak.
Mark also lead a riveting discussion of the great variety of native plants which are thriving in Bexley’s parks and how many deer currently reside in the city (or nearby). He’s also a serious vegetable gardener who will be able to lend his expertise to new gardeners (or those of us still trying to get better).
The thought is that the plowed acre will support as many as 70 garden plots, but we are going to measure the area tomorrow afternoon to get a better sense.
Residents of the Bexley area (including Berwick and Eastmoor) who are interested in gardening at, or volunteering for, the Bexley Community Garden should contact Ginny Salamy @ 614-239-9280 vsalamy@columbus.rr.com or Bruce Langner @ 614-559-4225blangner@bexley.org. Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month @7:00 P.M. at City Hall.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Meeting on March 19 to Discuss Bexley Starting Its Own Community Garden.
For those of you who do not read The Messenger or the Bexley News, I am very excited to convey that Virginia “Ginny” Salamy has finally convinced the City of Bexley to convert a few acres on the extreme southwest corner of the city to a community garden. (It is the field where the streets of Mayfield Place and Ferndale Place dead end. Ferndale and Mayfield both run perpendicular to Livingston). Until the City of Columbus completes a sewer project (which involves the use of a few gigantic pieces of earthmoving equipment on the site), the garden will be limited to the northern 1.5 acres of the lot. However, this project is not very far along and no other firm plans have been made. In fact, there seems to have only been one organizational meeting held to date and that was in February. The second meeting is to be held in City Council Chambers on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m. Anyone interested in the future of community gardening in Bexley should attend. I understand from our local media that both short and long-term plans for the garden will be discussed. For instance, do we want victory gardens this year or to hold out for raised beds, etc. when we can raise enough funds?
When I learned about this development a few weeks ago, I considered – ever so briefly – giving up the Stoddart Garden because of the work involved and the close proximity of the Bexley Garden to my house (and bicycle path), but decided against it. At this point, it is not clear that the Bexley garden will be shovel ready by May 31, let alone May 1. The Stoddart Avenue Garden will be shovel ready on May 1 – weather permitting. My decision was reinforced after meeting virtually all of the Stoddart Avenue neighbors last weekend -- all of whom were extremely nice and most seemed genuinely excited about the Garden. Many members from Christ Church also seem pretty psyched about Stoddart Garden as well. As Maven Martha is famous for saying, it is a good thing. Besides, like the saying goes, the more the merrier.
No comments:
Post a Comment