While I’m slowly recovering from the news of the new White House garden, I have a few minutes to post about my own garden news. I have a bit more space now.
My current community garden plot is actually a double plot (300m2). Another nearby single plot (150m2) became available, so I asked for it and they said I could have it. It’s officially against the rules, but I guess they like me, so they made an exception. It was a badly neglected plot, and I’m almost doing them a favor by taking it. Now with 450m2 (4800ft2), I’ll have enough space for a while. My big problem was garlic, because I grow a lot of it and it needs a lot of space for rotations.
As is traditional here, the garden comes with a free pile of trash. Under the pile of trash is an old poured concrete foundation from a building that’s not there any more. In the far corner is what’s now a pile of compost, but it was made from weeds that had gone to seed and the seeds are surely still there. Because it was neglected someone had to come into the garden and cut back all the weeds, then they made the pile. The roots of the same weeds are firmly established in the ground, meaning I’ll have both the seeds and the roots to deal with. Ah, I guess a new garden wouldn’t be the same if there weren’t some challenges that came with it.
I mentioned quietly to a few people earlier I had found another plot in a different community garden. I did this quietly, again because it’s not officially allowed, but I was pretty sure if I kept quiet they wouldn’t notice. The two gardens are run by different organizations. Anyway, this didn’t work out because the plot they gave me ended up being shaded. I accepted the plot a few days from the winter solstice in the middle of a rain storm, so I couldn’t tell it didn’t get any light.
I guess there are enough people around who want to use their gardens as a place to go and sit that there’s enough demand for shaded plots. It’s also a bit of an issue for something like community gardens which are government subsidized. As long as the government runs things, they only count the number of plots and don’t care if they’re usable. As far as they’re concerned empty plots mean they don’t need to subsidize new ones, because there’s not enough demand.
More garden pictures and posts coming soon. So many things to do lately! It’s been hard to keep up with the blog. There’s lots to write about, so stay tuned.
Great with more space for rotating your garlics, and grow more vegetables. Hope the weed will be gentle to you. I’m not too hard on the weed in my garden, as one of the species is endangered, only living within some six kilometers around here. Used to grow in a wider area, so I feel like protecting it somewhat in my garden. It’s not a threat to my harvest of vegetables.
Great news Patrick!
I think the 450m2 is a good space to grow many vegetables now. (I wish we had community gardens in my city but… ok it’s something unknown here).
I am waiting for your garden pictures and posts!
Congratulations! This is good news, indeed. I can’t wait to see what you do with the space.
Thanks for all the good wishes. It’s great to hear from all three of you!
Greetings! Great news on the expansion! I’m sure you’ll figure something for the shady area. Perhaps some shrub trees? Hazelnuts grow in partial shade. I’m sure many other useful things do as well. As for the weedy seedy pile of compost, how about digging up the dirt with deep rooted weeds and putting it on top then lighting a fire underneath and burning the whole thing? Perhaps you could locate some manure and urine content from a nearby farm to add as well? In effect you would be creating a mini terra preta. Possible negatives would include smoke and time of burn.
Hi Jo, it’s nice to hear from you too.
I live in the middle of a city! I think the local fire department would frown on your suggestion, not to mention the neighbors. Actually, fires of all kinds are prohibited at the garden, even just a camp fire. The most you’re allowed is a barbeque.
Seed barbeque? ::laughing:: I understand. We moved to North Carolina from Northern California. You didn’t dare burn anything there either. When we got here we went to get a burn permit and all they said was “How many acres do you want to burn?” Our jaws dropped!
Hi Jo, I went to school at Chico.
One time I tried to burn some garden waste in an old oil barrel in my driveway, and within 5 minutes the police arrived. He told me I better put it out, because the fire department was on their way. 5 minutes later the fire engine arrived, complete with lights and siren, even though the fire was already out by then.
They made me promise not to do that again.