What’sGrowingOnUpdates
Funding&SupportforLocalGardens
TheNLRCommunityGardenProgramprovides seasonalfundingeachspringandfalltosupportboth newandexistingcommunitygardens Returning gardenscanreceiveupto$5,000annuallyfor materials,tools,andexpenses,whilegardensnewto ourprogramareeligiblefor$1,500tohelpthemget started.
Beyondfunding,participatinggardensgainaccessto freemulch,compost,seeds,plants,educational resources,hands-onassistance,andsocialmedia promotion Applicationsarereviewedtwiceayearby theGardenAdvisoryCommittee
Thisisagreatopportunitytogrowfresh,localfood andstrengthenyourcommunity Applytoday!
FALL2025FUNDINGAPPLICATIONDUE BETWEENDEC.16,2024-JUNE15,2025
NEWGARDENSELIGIBLEFORUPTO$1500 RETURNINGGARDENSELIGIBLEUPTO$5000
STEP1:ScantheQRCodeto reviewtheapplicationlocatedat thebottomofourwebsite
STEP2:Completeapplicationand compileallrequireddocuments
STEP3:Submiteverythingto NLRNeighborhoodServ@nlr.ar.gov
Forassistancewithyourapplication, contactRKelly@nlr.ar.govor NLRNeighborhoodServ@nlr.ar.gov 501-351-0184
NLR Community garden PROGRAM
garden manager meetings
NEW Meeting Location! NEW LMeeting ocation!
MARCH 26
APRIL 23
MAY 28
NORTH HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTER 4801 ALLEN ST. 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
OUR GARDEN MANAGER MEETINGS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NLR COMMUNITY GARDEN MANAGERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO COME TOGETHER EXCHANGE RESOURCES CELEBRATE SUCCESSES, ADDRESS CHALLENGES, AND STAY CONNECTED WITH OUR PROGRAM THESE MEETINGS CREATE A COLLABORATIVE SPACE WHERE LOCAL GARDENERS CAN SHARE KNOWLEDGE, ASK QUESTIONS, AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER. BEST OF ALL, THEY’RE FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE COME JOIN US.
MEETINGS TAKE PLACE ON THE 4TH WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH (JANUARY–OCTOBER) AND THE 3RD WEDNESDAY IN NOVEMBER NO MEETING IN DECEMBER
ExcitingNewsforOurCommunityGardens!
We’rethrilledtoannouncethat9CommunityGarden applicationsforSpringfundinghavebeenapproved, securingover$33,000insupport!Thismarksoneof thebiggestfundingroundsinourprogram’shistory! Addingtotheexcitement,Ward2islaunching severalbrand-newgardensbuiltentirelyfrom scratch.
NewGardens:
The Tea House-1118E.Washington
The Urban Sol-803WaterStreet
JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
With over 18 active community gardens in North Little Rock, our garden managers are always looking for assistance. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, we invite you to get involved!
GardeningTipsforUrbanSpaces
MarchPlantingGuideforZone8:
Springisjustaroundthecorner,makingMarchakeytimetogetyourgardengrowing!InZone8,thisistheperfect monthtoplantcool-seasoncropsoutdoorsandstartwarm-seasonvegetablesindoorsfortransplantinginApriland May
DirectSow(PlantOutdoors)inMarch:
Plantthesehardyvegetablesdirectlyinyourgarden
✅LeafyGreens–Lettuce,Spinach,SwissChard,MustardGreens,CollardGreens
✅RootVegetables–Carrots,Beets,Radishes,Turnips
✅Brassicas–Cabbage,Broccoli,Cauliflower,Kohlrabi
✅OtherCool-SeasonCrops–EnglishPeas,SnapPeas,IrishPotatoes,Onions,Asparagus
March
Asparagus
Pak Choi
Lettuce
Carrots
Kohlrabi
Radish
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Broccoli
Mustard
Turnips
Swiss Chard
Beets
Irish Potatoes
Onions
Spinach
English Peas
PlantingGuides
April
Asparagus
Cucumber
Sweet Potatoes
Squash
Melons
Okra
Peppers
Eggplant
Sweet Corn Dill
Tomatoes
Beans (Snap, Pole)
Kohlrabi
Broccoli
Cabbage
Collards
Swiss Chard
Lettuce
Radish
Beets
Basil
May
Tomatillos
Asparagus
Pumpkin
Cherry Tomato
Squash
Southern Peas
Sweet Potatoes
Basil Peppers
Okra
Eggplant
Cucumber
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Beans (Snap,Pole,Lima)
Sweet Corn
Collards
Radish
Theclosertothebottomoftheboxavegetableislisted,theclosertotheendofthemonth itshouldbeplanted
Start These Seeds Indoors for April/May Planting:
By planning ahead and starting seeds indoors at the right time, you'll set yourself up for a thriving spring and summer garden Start warm-season crops indoors and transplant them after the last frost, typically March 28April 5 in Central Arkansas Since frost dates vary, many gardeners wait until mid-April to plant tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, and melons Check local forecasts for frost warnings before transplanting
8-10WeeksBeforeLastFrost(Startnow!)
Peppers(Bell,Jalapeño,Banana)
Eggplants(BlackBeauty,Ichiban)
6-8WeeksBeforeLastFrost(EarlyMarch)
Tomatoes(EarlyGirl,Brandywine,Roma)
Herbs(Basil,Oregano,Thyme,Parsley)
Cabbage(Savoy,Green)
Broccoli(Calabrese,GreenMagic)
BrusselsSprouts(LongIsland,JadeCross)
Cauliflower(Snowball,PurpleCape)
4-6WeeksBeforeLastFrost(DirectsowMidMarchtoearlyApril)
Melons(SugarBabyWatermelon,Hale’s BestCantaloupe)
3-4WeeksBeforeLastFrost(Directsowlate MarchtoearlyApril)
Cucumbers(Marketmore,Lemon Cucumber)
Companionplantingisatime-testedgardening techniquethatenhancesplanthealth,boostsyields, andnaturallydeterspestsbystrategicallypairingplants thatsupporteachother’sgrowth Bystrategically placingcertainplantsnexttoeachother,youcan createamoreproductiveandresilientgardenwhile reducingtheneedforchemicalinterventions.
BenefitsofCompanionPlanting
1.NaturalPestControl
Someplantsemitscentsorcompoundsthatrepel commongardenpests.Forexample,marigoldshelp deternematodesandaphids,whilebasilplantednear tomatoescankeephornwormsatbay
2.ImprovedGrowthandFlavor
Certainplantpairingsenhanceeachother’sgrowthby improvingsoilnutrientsorprovidingbeneficialshade. Forinstance,plantingbasilneartomatoesnotonly repelspestsbutalsoenhancesthetomatoes’flavor.
3.EfficientUseofSpace
Tallplantscanprovideshadeforsun-sensitivecrops, whileground-coverplantshelpretainsoilmoistureand suppressweeds.AclassicexampleistheThreeSisters methodusedbyIndigenouspeoples,wherecorn providesastructureforbeanstoclimb,andsquash spreadsalongthegroundtoreduceweeds.
4.EnhancedSoilHealth
Someplants,likelegumes,fixnitrogeninthesoil, enrichingitforneighboringcrops.Thisreducesthe needforsyntheticfertilizersandpromotessustainable gardening.
5.IncreasedBiodiversity
Adiversegardenattractsbeneficialinsects,suchas pollinatorsandpredatoryinsectsthatkeeppest populationsincheck Flowerslikecalendulaand alyssumcandrawinpollinators,boostingtheyieldof fruitingplants
PopularCompanionPlantingPairings
Tomatoes+Basil–Enhancesflavorandrepels pests
Carrots+Onions–Onionsdetercarrotflies
Cabbage+Dill–Dillattractspredatorywasps thatfeedoncabbageworms
Beans+Corn+Squash–Atraditional combinationthatbenefitsallthreeplants.
Byembracingcompanionplanting,youcancultivatea thriving,eco-friendlygardenthatworkswithnature ratherthanagainstit Giveitatrythisseasonand experiencethebenefitsfirsthand!
A thriving companion garden featuring tomatoes, chives, flowers, spinach, and beets working together to enhance growth, deter pests, and create a balanced ecosystem
GardenRelatedEvents
GrowingUrbanFarmersFieldDay:Certified NaturallyGrownProgram(FREE)
5:30-7:00Wednesday,March12
St.JosephFarmstead6800CampRobinsonRd.,NLR Learnfromexperiencedfarmerswhoparticipatein CNG,howitcanbenefityoutojoinCNGorjustlearn aboutthepracticesandhowtheprogramworks. Moredetailshere.
GrowYourOwnGroceries:SuccessionPlanting
12:00-1:00Thursday,March13(FREE)
OnlineZoomClass:Youwilllearnaboutsuccession plantingforcontinuousvegetableharvests.
ZoomLink:Clickhere
LamanLibraryGardenFest(FREE)
9:00-4:00Saturday,March15
Joinusforafreedayofdiscoverywithgardening, plant,andartvendors,plusworkshopsanddemos fromCentralArkansasBeekeepers,CentralArkansas Naturalists,RaptorRehab,andmore!Moredetails here
FeastofSt.JosephCelebration(Lunch$10)
11:00Saturday,March22
St.JosephAltarwillbesetuptoaccept nonperishablefooditemsfollowedbyaBlessingof theGardenstowelcometheabundancespring brings.At12noon,aspaghettilunchwillbeserved includingsalad,bread,&dessert.Moredetailshere.
JuniorNaturalistSpringBreakCamp($250per student,scholarshipsavailable)
9:00-4:00Mon.-Fri.,March24-28
Agerangeforthiscampiskids7-10yearsold. Camperswillbeengagedinactivitieseachdayon multiplesubjects Topicsincludeeverythingabout naturefromanimals,birds,insects,amphibians,to habitats,geology,ecology,conservationandoutdoor safety Moredetailshere
CAMNEasternBluebirdWorkshop(Supplies$10)
10:00-12:00Saturday,March29
RegisteratPinnacleMtStateParkVisitorCenter501868-5806.LearnaboutEasternBluebirdsandbuild yourownbirdboxtotakehome!Funforallages $10 perbox,1boxperhousehold.Moredetailshere.
April
GrowingUrbanFarmers-HowtoBuildaHoop HouseatWSBZFarms
10:00-3:00 Wednesday & Thurs. April 2 & 3
1:00-4:00 Friday, April 4
5310BennieBarnesRd,LittleRock,AR72206 Moredetailshere.
GrowingUrbanFarmersMeet-Up
5:30-7:00 Wednesday, April 2 (FREE)
St.JosephFarmstead6800CampRobinsonRd.,NLR. Moredetailshere.
Back5FieldsPlantSale
10:00-2:00 Saturday, April 5
Needsomeplantsforyourgarden?Bigger&Better ThisYear-We'vealreadystartedalmosttwiceas manytomatoplantsthisyearandwe'llbestarting peppers,squash,cucumbers,melons&moresoon! Moneyraisedwillhelpprovideemployment opportunitiesforunshelteredworkersonthefarm. Moredetailshere.
BerniceGardenSat.ShopPlantSale
10:00-2:00 Saturday, April 5
Shoplocalplantsfromlocalvendors!Moredetails here.
GrowYourOwnGroceries:ContainerVegetable Gardening(FREE)
12:00-1:00 Thursday, April 10
OnlineZoomClass:Youwilllearnhowtosuccessfully growvegetablesincontainers.
ZoomLink:Clickhere
EarthDayCelebration-St.JosephFarmstead
10:00-3:00 Saturday, April 26 (FREE)
Enjoyfreetrees,seeds,andplants,explorenatureinspiredvendors,andvisiteducationalbooths.Plus, don’tmissthefresh,localproductsattheSJFarm Stand.Moredetailshere.
GreatNLRClean-Up(FREE)
8:30-11:00 Saturday, April 26
TeamscansignupatKNLRBorgandcleanupanarea thenwewillallmeetforacelebrationpartyat11:30at StJosephFarmsteadat6800CampRobinsonRd., NLR.Moredetailshere.