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» Community Gardens Application   » Individual Garden Info   » Gardening Guidelines

Community Gardens

Individual Garden Info

Airport // Buhr // Greenview // Matthaei //Clague // Mitchell // University Reformed Church // Lakewood // County Farm Park // Catholic Social Services

County Farm Park

COUNTY FARM Garden is located behind the Washtenaw Recreation Building, within the County Farm Park. It is Project Grow's oldest and largest garden site. There is a tool shed for common use.

SITE COORDINATORS

• Karl Longstreth
• Jeanette Fontanive
• Damaris Sufalko

MAP OF GARDEN:  To see and download a map of the garden click here.

PARKING is available in the parking lot off of Platt Road. Do not drive on grassy areas or paths. Wheelbarrows are available to transport materials. Please return them to the tool shed after use.

SOIL

• Section A: clay loam; pH 7.5
• Section B: loam; pH 6.8

INDIVIDUAL PLOT MAINTENANCE: All gardeners are responsible for keeping weeds down in their plots and along the adjacent pathways. Various mulches may be used in your garden to inhibit weed growth, conserve water, and promote a hospitable micro-climate for plants and worms. Marsh hay is usually available in the spring, delivered to the garden from a local grower for a reasonable fee. If interested in learning more about marsh hay deliveries or for more information about mulching, contact your site coordinator or the office.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE: The major perimeters of the garden are mowed by the County Parks Department only if we keep the area free from organic refuse and other debris and stones. Please pile rocks in designated areas only....rocks break mower blades! Place organic waste in your own plot. Do not make unofficial compost or weed piles outside of your garden.

ABANDONED PLOTS: Plots that have not been worked by May 31 or are overgrown with weeds taller than 1 1/2' at any point in the season will be considered abandoned and may be reassigned. Contact your site coordinator or the office if you are having problems getting started or if you have to abandon your plot.

WATER: Water is provided by the County from a well. If you spot a leak in the hoses that Project Grow provides, either make the repairs yourself or notify your site coordinator. The water will be turned on after all danger of frost has passed and turned off prior to fall frost. To conserve water, we highly recommend mulching.

TOOLS: A limited supply of tools is kept in the tool shed. Always return tools to the shed after use. If you have tools that you wish to donate to the garden, feel free to put them into the shed, and then notify the office. Damage to equipment is inevitable; if replacements become necessary, call your site coordinator.

ANIMALS: Woodchucks and other animals will visit this garden. If you fence, we recommend black/green plastic or wire fencing. For the best results, bury the fence 8" below ground and bend it away from the garden to stop animals digging underneath.

COMMUNICATION: Watch the bulletin boards and feel free to use them to make announcements regarding garden business. Expect a few phone calls asking you to help out with volunteer tasks. In recent years, we have also used the garden group email list to make important announcements; if you have not already notified us of your email address, let us know right away! Finally, newsletters will also contain important information about upcoming projects and events.

FALL CLEAN UP: Your plot must be cleared no later than the end of the day on October 18th. Organic material may be chopped up and spread evenly across your plot. Take home all non-organic material, i.e., fences, stakes, plastic, paper, etc.

Perennial plots must still be put to rest for the winter. In the fall, non-organic and dead organic material must be removed or chopped up to compost in your plot. Perennial plants or annual plants that have not been killed by frost may remain. If you know you will not be returning, take away your personal belongings clear your entire plot. Failure to clean your plot according to the guidelines set forth in the Gardening Agreement may result in expulsion from the garden.

MOVING? Tell us! We mail out newsletters during the year, and they are not forwarded (third-class mail).

County Farm 2008 Work Party Schedule

County Farm Park

2008

Community Garden Schedule

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