Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
age your gardeners to be prompt and vigilant in treating
infected plants. If only a few leaves are affected, there's a
good chance the plant can be saved. But if most or all of
the foliage is diseased, the plant's time is up and should
be pulled and discarded in the trash (do not compost).
flow between them. Trim leaves
that are touching the ground to
prevent soil backsplash from rain
and watering. Gardeners might
also add a layer of mulch around
the base of the plant to help soil
retain moisture.
THE NEED TO WEED
A less-than-exciting (but necessary) subject every garden must deal
with is weeds. Most people hate
weeding, yet it is a vital garden task. With intensive gardening, weeds are minimized because as the
plants grow, they often crowd out weeds. Any weeds that do occur can easily be pulled. Row gardening
is another story—weeds can become a major time suck.
Help your gardeners understand that weed management is critical in the community garden, because
once weeds go to seed, they will create a much bigger problem the next season. Most garden weeds
aren't dangerous or noxious, and pulling them requires less skill than diligence.
A popular question from beginning gardeners will be, “What do weeds look like?” An easy response
is, if you didn't plant it, consider it a weed. In some instances, though, a weed can grow where an un-
familiar crop was planted, and gardeners can mistake the weeds for their vegetable plants. I've actually
seen people trellising and pampering weeds, thinking they were a thriving crop (this situation usually
causes great sadness when I break the news to them). Your local extension service will have online or
other resources that can help gardeners identify weeds common to your area.
The other weedy issue is apathy, or in some cases, downright resistance. No matter how often you
ask gardeners to weed around their plots or common areas, they don't want to do it. Or, you might get
lucky and have a zealous weed puller in your community. If you're so gifted, make that person a crown
(or halo) to wear around the garden, and hope their enthusiasm rubs off on the other gardeners!
FALL—WRAPPING UP AND CLOSING THE GARDEN FOR THE
SEASON
You've learned by now that I'm writing from a northern perspective. Your garden may be able to grow
year-round—that's awesome (and I'm jealous). But for those folks who have seasonal bookends for
their gardens (and don't want to approach winter gardening just yet), autumn is the time when nature
starts to wind things down. And, believe me, after the first season with your community garden, every-
one will likely be ready for a break about then, anyway. The great thing about gardening is that enthu-
siasm always bursts forth again in the spring, so a little time off just helps rekindle energy for the next
year … and the next year … and the next.
Based on where your garden is located, and your decisions about the annual life of your garden,
you may be calling it quits (for the season!) when the weather starts to get cold in the autumn. And,
of course, you'll want your gardeners to participate in cleaning up the garden in the fall, whether the
community is organized as a collective or individual allotment garden.
