GoGreenTriad.com - The Triad's resource for eco-friendly living

WHY GARDEN?

· Save money on food bills.

· Eat fresher and more nutritious foods.

· Exercise and relieve stress.

· Create and strengthen relationships with neighbors.

· Learn lifelong skills.

WHAT YOU NEED

People: It takes a committed group of at least three people to create and manage a garden. Develop this core group as well as the garden's purpose and target audience before proceeding. The group also needs to create rules for the garden and organize events, such as meetings, planting days and seed swaps.

Land and water: Potential sites include property owned by cities, homeowners associations, churches or civic organizations, vacant lots, or donated parcels. Get permission to use the land and make sure the land has regular access to water and adequate sunlight.

Determine how to handle trash cleanup, weeds, soil preparation, irrigation, infrastructure, compost or other organic matter, marking plots, walkways, bulletin boards and fencing.

Tools: Raised bed frames require some type of border such as untreated lumber or concrete blocks. You also need common tools such as rakes, hoes, shovels, wheelbarrels and watering cans. 

Funds: Grants, gifts and nominal annual membership fees can help pay for the cost of building and maintaining the garden plots. Costs will vary depending on the size, location and scale of the garden. Find some grant sources here. 

Seeds: Purchase seeds and young plants at local nurseries, hardware stores or farmers markets. Look for organic and heritage seeds that don't include genetically modified organisms and provide a greater range of fruit and vegetable varieties to grow. Popular sources include Seed Savers Exchange or Seeds of Change.

WHEN TO START

Gardens should be built and tilled by March to allow the longest growing season. Most vegetables are planted between April and August and need two to four months to mature.

GET HELP

These organizations can provide the advice you need to get started:

· N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, 375-5876 (Guilford County office).

· American Community Gardening Association, (877) 275-2242.

· National Gardening Association, (802) 863-5251

· Piedmont Interfaith Network of Gardens, (919) 542-1396 x207

· The N.C. Division of Public Health also created its own planning guide, accessible at N.C. Community Garden Partners.  

WANT TO GO?

Check out these upcoming gardening-related events in early 2009:

· UNCG will hold a free public workshop called "Growing in Community: Gardening to Nourish Self and Neighbor." It will take place from 12:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. Speakers include Charlie Headington, UNCG professor and permaculturist, and Michael Schut of Seattle Tilth. Breakout sessions follow on gardening at the home, neighborhood, university, school and faith organization level. Call John Sopper at 334-5898 for more information.

· The Guilford County Cooperative Extension offers free evening gardening workshops through its "Growing the Green Way" series through April. Visit http://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/ or call Karen Neill at 375-5876 for more information.

· The Alamance County Cooperative Extension will have a class on vegetable gardening on March 9 in Burlington. Call Mark Danieley at 570-6740 for more information.

· The Randolph County Cooperative Extension will hold a class on May 2 in Asheboro. Call Mary Helen Ferguson at 318-6000 for more information.

· The Organic Growers School will host a two-day gardening conference in Flat Rock in late March. Conference costs $40 per day and features classes on pest management, growing herbs, composting and using renewable energy. Visit www.organicgrowersschool.org to learn more.

· The N.C. Center for Environmental Farming Systems will hold a summit in Raleigh on March 2-3 to determine ways for lawmakers to support and expand sustainable agriculture and local food production in the state. Find details and a draft agenda at www.cefsfarmtofork.com/.

Reference: Guilford County Cooperative Extension