Capital Roots Community Gardens Handbook

Community Gardens

Handbook Community Gardens

Growing Healthy Communities

Our Community Gardens Program at Capital Roots currently manages 50+ community gardens throughout Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties where gardeners grow fresh produce in more than 880 plots. We need your help to make it a fruitful experience for all gardeners.

Title

About Capital Roots

SubtitleBeyond the Community Gardens Program Capital Roots is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to nourishing healthy communities by providing access to fresh food and green spaces for all. Our other programs include:

Veggie Mobile

Produce Aisle on Wheels

Veggie Mobile Sprout

Farm Stand on Wheels

Veggie RX

Prescribing Healthy Foods

Produce Project

Youth Powered Urban Farm

Healthy Stores

Fresh Food Fast

Virtual Veggie Mobile

Online Farmer's Market

Squash Hunger

Fresh Food For All

Taste Good Series

Nurturing Healthy Lifestyles

Urban Greening

Planting Green Communities

Healthy Streets

Safe Routes to Walk and Bike

2 Community Gardens Handbook

Returning Gardener Registration Title January-February Subtitle

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Returning Gardener Registration Schedules are mailed out in January, along with Tier Letters which indicate how much each gardener’s minimum donation will be based on their involvement in the previous year.

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Plots from last season are held for returning gardeners throughout the registration period in February, so returning gardeners do not have to RSVP to a specific date.

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Each gardener must register each year in person during returning gardener registration sessions in February.

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Each gardener must provide his/her most up to date contact information. It is essential for garden organizers to be able to contact gardeners when necessary.

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Please bring your minimum donation with you.

• Returning gardeners who register after February will incur a $10 late fee and risk losing the plot assigned to them the previous year.

Winter Tips

February: You can begin planning your garden plot layout and starting to grow some plants indoors. Consider companion planting (mutually beneficial plants like corn, beans and squash), and don’t forget that flowers provide beautification and attract pollinators!

Community Gardens Handbook 3

Plot Registration Guidelines March

• Attending a New Gardener Orientation Session is required for all new participants in their first season. Former participants who have taken a season or more off need to attend as well.

• If you are working as a team with 2 or more individuals in a plot, we ask that 1 person in the group take the lead and remain responsible for the actions of the group as a whole and be a point of contact for Capital Roots.

• If a friend or relative will be working your garden plot with you, please give us their contact information as Gardener #2.

• We have a one-plot per household policy.

• Do NOT reassign your plot! If you’d like to make your secondary gardener the primary gardener for the plot or if you are unable to garden mid-season, please let us know.

Spring Tips

March: Pull back winter mulches to help warm soil. Time for the garden to wake up!

April: Prepare soil by raking in additional compost and plant cold weather vegetables (peas, spinach) as soon as ground is workable and plot boundaries are known.

4 Community Gardens Handbook

Receive Garden Specific Materials (sent Via Email) Title Subtitle April

A map of your garden, which includes:

•Lock Combination

•Till/No Till/ Plow* (affects planting dates- see below)

•Work Party Dates

•Fellow Gardeners' Contact Information

•Garden Coordinator:

Most gardens have an experienced gardener who

volunteers to be a source of information Common Space Maintenance Task List

All gardeners are expected to do their part of common

space maintenance. You will confirm which tasks you

will be responsible for at the beginning of the season. *Till (turning the soil with a machine)– Tilling is optional, and CR staff only till when plots are completely cleaned of garden debris. Plant after tilling is done (by May 23rd). *No Till/plow – gardeners are responsible for turning their own soil and may plant anytime in early spring as long as gardener is certain which plot is theirs. *Plow (2/3 Normanskill, N. Albany, Third St) – plots CANNOT be planted until the garden has been plowed and staked.

This usually occurs in early-May. Gardeners should not plant perennials - they will be plowed under.

For participants without email, we’ll send hard copies via USPS. New participants will receive a hard copy during orientation.

Community Gardens Handbook 5

Spring and Fall Work Parties

April-May (and September-October) •Work parties are a time for everyone to work on common upkeep that will benefit the entire garden. It’s not time to work in your own plot.

•Mandatory for all gardeners to attend two work parties, unless your garden does not have one scheduled in which case you will receive automatic credit.

•Make sure to sign-in with a garden organizer upon arrival to receive credit for participation!

•Gardeners may attend another gardens’ work party for credit if they cannot attend their own. If you need to attend a makeup work party, a schedule of all spring and fall work parties is available on the community gardens page of our website.

SUMMER TIPS

May: Begin weeding. Mulch planting beds with grass clippings, straw or newspaper to conserve moisture. Weed early and often to prevent weeds going to seed.

June and July: Weed Often. Sow seeds of heat tolerant veggies. Harvest early and often for maximum yield and flavor.

August: Remove weeds before they set seed. Sow seeds of late harvest veggies (carrots, beets) Anytime: Consider hosting a garden event like a potluck, harvest party, or open house to encourage community in and outside of your garden!

6 Community Gardens Handbook

Weed Warnings Title

Spring, Summer, Subtitle Fall

•You should visit the garden twice a week on average to keep weeds under control, water your plants, and check on your harvest.

• Capital Roots’ Garden Organizers will contact a gardener via email or telephone if a plot is untended or negatively impacting a neighbor – this is called a “weed warning”.

• Gardeners should respond within a week, and inaction will result in higher minimum donation or total loss of gardening privileges.

Clear Fence Line Clear Rows Clear Pathways

Overgrown Fence Line Weedy Plot Weedy Pathways

FALL TIPS

September: Sow a cover crop, such as oats, to enrich your soil. These will die off over winter, and need to be turned under in the spring.

October: Save your seeds for next year and plant garlic!

Build your soil for next year by adding leaves and other carbon- rich (brown) organic material.

Community Gardens Handbook 7

End Of Season: Clear Plots November

ALL PLOTS MUST BE CLEARED BY NOVEMBER 15th Remove: 1. All weeds! Put in paper leaf bags; place at curb.

2. All vegetable plants! Put in paper leaf bags; place at curb.

3. Personal items (cages, structures, string, metal, personal stakes, plastic or fabric sheeting, pots, tools, and all other personal property). Take them home! *If you’re in a plowed garden (Normanskill, Third Street, North Albany) please REMOVE EVERYTHING from your plot!

DON’T Remove (in No-till/No-plow gardens): 1. Wooden corner stakes 2. Perennials (herbs, strawberries, etc.)

3. Raised beds (if applicable) *Hoses and other common tools should be placed neatly in the shed and gas operated machines stabilized. If there is still a Capital Roots’ mower in your shed, please let us know and we will store it over the winter at the Urban Grow Center.

Plot forfeiture If relinquishing your plot whether mid-season or season’s end it is your responsibility to appropriately clear space in preparation for the next gardener and notify us directly.

8 Community Gardens Handbook

Tier Membership Donation December

We request a minimum donation from all gardeners of $30 for regular plots and $60 for large plots (over 600 ft2 ) to keep the gardens functioning smoothly. However, if you cannot afford the suggested donation, we will work with you to find an affordable amount. Your Tier level is based on involvement, and new gardeners start in Tier 1.

Tier 1 ($30 / $60 L) Most Involved Gardeners A. Attended both work parties B. Received 1 weed warning or none at all C. Responded to communication from Capital Roots D. Cleaned plot thoroughly at end of season Tier 2 ($45 / $75 L) Less Involved Gardeners A. Missed one work party Or, any of the following: B. Received 2 weed warnings C. Generally difficult to reach or did not respond to communication D. Did not clean up at end of season E. Did not help with general maintenance Tier 3 ($60 / $100 L) Least Involved (may lose garden privileges) A. Missed both work parties Or, any of the following: B. Received 3 weed warnings C. Impossible to reach and did not respond to communication D. Did not clean up at end of season E. Missed one work party and received two weed warnings F. Plot was cleared by Garden Organizers

Did you know?

The average cost to operate each plot is actually $200 per year!

We appreciate any donations above the minimum $30 amount.

Community Gardens Handbook 9

Prohibited Items and Activities

Capital Roots Community Gardens Chemical pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers including Miracle Gro. Trees, bushes or cane fruits (such as raspberries, currants, blackberries) Spreading “nuisance� plants (ex. Mint, Morning Glories) Carpeting, permanent fencing, storage of plastics and piles of bricks, tires and treated wood.

Water sprinklers Surveillance cameras Obstructing the fence, including signs and personal items (Vegetables such as peas/ beans are allowed).

Pets Smoking or consumption of alcohol in garden

*Do not use your garden plot as a storage facility. The accumulation of furniture, wood, garden supplies and other items is unacceptable. **All personal fences must be temporary and well maintained throughout the season 10 Community Gardens Handbook

Resources Title

In the Garden Subtitle

Tools and Equipment

•Basic Hand Tools: Kept in the garden shed, and should be returned immediately after use. Label personal tools in the shed.

•Machines: Call us to borrow a mower or weed whacker for common areas and we will deliver the equipment ready to use. If you would like a lesson on how to operate them, let us know.

Locks and Security

• You will need the 4 digit code noted on your garden map for access to the garden gates and shed. Do not give out the combination to anyone, unless they are a registered gardener.

•If gardening in a group, only up to 3 people should have the combination to the garden. The primary gardener is responsible for relaying our garden rules to the other group members.

•ALWAYS lock the garden gate and shed when you leave.

NEVER remove the locks from the garden.

Water •Most gardens have water spigots, however some use water barrels that are filled by local fire departments upon request (from a designated gardener who volunteers to call).

•Remember to share the water hose – limit use to 10 minutes if others are waiting. Never water another gardener’s plot unless specifically asked. And always TURN OFF spigot after use.

Community Gardens Handbook 11

Title Resources

Subtitle In your community

Mulch and Compost

•Use Mulch to prevent weeds and conserve water. You can use newspaper, straw, dried leaves, or cardboard around your crops.

•Use Compost to enrich your soil so your vegetables grow to be nutritious and delicious! (See Lasagna Composting below).

• Compost and mulch service in Albany (delivered by the truckload when available or for pick-up at the Department of General Services by residents).

Build up your soil using Lasagna Composting!

Top Soil

DO NOT ADD:

Yard Waste/ Food Scraps

•Weeds with seeds •Sticks and branches •Vines: (Tomato and Squash)

Newspaper/ Cardboard

Put these in leaf bags.

Compost/Dried Leaves/ Straw

Why Organic?

Organic gardening benefits the health of your soil and protects the surrounding ecosystem, which nourishes the plants you grow and you! Check out our upcoming classes on our website to find out more about this and other gardening subjects.

12 Community Gardens Handbook

Resources Title

Offered by CapitalSubtitle Roots

Free resources at the Urban Grow Center:

• Variety of seeds •Seedlings when available (donated from local growers in June) •Mowers, weed whackers, garden tools, and yard waste bags •Staff support, advice, and information from our Garden Educator and other staff members.

•Gardener Resource Room (seeds, library, meeting space)

Capital Roots Website www.capitalroots.org:

•Map of our garden locations •Work Party Schedule •Gardening Tips •Upcoming Classes •Squash Hunger Donation Form (See below)

Have extra produce? Donate it to Squash Hunger!

Squash Hunger Donation Process: 1.Donate to local food pantries or to the Urban Grow Center 2. Record your donation to help us track the impact of our program by going to: http://www.capitalroots.org/programs/squash-hunger/squash-hunger-sites/ 3. Enter your information: name, garden, type of produce and produce poundage at the bottom of the page. (Or email your info to squashhunger@capitalroots.org) Community Gardens Handbook 13

Gardener Responsibilities Summary Community Gardens Program

Gardener Responsibilities

Community Gardens Program

1. Gardeners must respect plot boundaries – do not move corner stakes, walk through another gardeners’ plot, plant too close to your boundary, shade another gardener’s’ plot with tall crops like corn or sunflowers, or harvest from another plot.

2. Plots that are not at least partially cultivated by June 1st will be reassigned to another gardener without a refund. Garden plots should show signs of activity by May 15th if you are in a No-till/ No-plow garden, and by June 1st if you are in a plowed or tilled garden. (Pg. 5) 3. Common space maintenance is the responsibility of all gardeners, which includes keeping clear pathways and fence lines adjacent to your plot. (Pg. 5 & 6) 4. Participation in both a Spring and a Fall Work Party is required. Missing one and not making it up will increase your donation amount for the next season. (Pg. 6) 5. Gardeners should visit the garden twice a week on average to keep weeds under control, water plants, maintain common areas, and harvest. A weedy garden will earn you a “Weed Warning”. This will increase your minimum donation amount and may jeopardize your use of the plot next season. (Pg. 7) 14 Community Gardens Handbook

6. Gardeners agree to completely clear plots (except for late season crops) by November 15th. This includes the removal of: dead/diseased plant matter, cages, and all other personal items. Our gardens follow traditional “carry in/carry out” rules, therefore you may not store items in your plot over the winter. (Pg. 8) 7. Gardeners may not have the following prohibited items in their plot/garden: trees, bushes, cane fruits, invasive plants, carpeting, tires, permanent fencing/structures, or pets. (Pg. 10) 8. Gardeners agree to properly maintain and respect all common resources. This includes turning off the water and locking the gates when not in use. (Pg. 11) 9. Our gardens are strictly organic, thus chemical weed killers, pesticides, and chemical fertilizers are not allowed in the garden. This includes Miracle Gro. (Pg. 12) 10. Build up your soil with compost, cover crops, and mulch. Healthy soil fosters healthy crops! (Pg. 12) 11. Disrespectful or abusive language, destructive behavior, or theft will not be tolerated and will result in the immediate loss of all gardening privileges and forfeiture of any crops remaining in your garden plot.

Community Gardens Handbook 15

Title

Subtitle

Contacts

Capital Roots Urban Grow Center 594 River Street Troy, NY 12180 518-274-8685 www.capitalroots.org Tara Quackenbush Community Gardening Program Manager gardens1@capitalroots.org Danielle Marino Garden Organizer gardens2@capitalroots.org