Community Gardens Town Hall Meeting, Saturday, 10/2

This event is also listed on Facebook and EventBrite.


When:
Saturday, October 2
12:00pm – 4:00pm

Where:
The New School – Wollman Hall
66 W. 12th St, 5th Floor
New York, NY

On October 2, 2010, the New York City Community Garden Coalition will convene a Town Hall Meeting to discuss the recently published “new rules” for community gardens on City land set to go into effect on October 13, 2010, as well as look to alternative legal strategies for long-term preservation.

While media reports have characterized the Coalition’s opinion of the rules as favorable, NYCCGC has officially held comment, …and has been meeting with Coalition members, conferring with other greening groups, and consulting with legal experts to fully assess the scope and impact of the recently updated rules.


“We held comment on the new rules for a reason,” says NYCCGC President Karen Washington. “The far-reaching impact of these rules is not something to be taken lightly, and needs to be analyzed thoroughly. While we appreciate that steps in the right direction have been made, there are still some serious concerns that need to be addressed before we claim total victory for the City’s community gardeners.”

While NYCCGC had originally been involved with the drafting of the new rules, negotiations eventually broke off, leaving the Coalition and its allies frustrated. On the morning of August 10, NYCCGC rallied supporters, helping fill Parks’ public hearing regarding the rules to overflow capacity. Over 300 garden devotees shared their passion as well as their consternation at the then-proposed rules, ultimately having a positive impact on the recently published rules.

One revelation that came to light at the hearing was from Christopher Amato, who served as lead attorney in the NY State Attorney General’s 2002 landmark lawsuit against the City, is that all 198 community gardens transferred to Parks (and more since then) were permanently protected by the 2002 “Community Gardens Agreement,” which he also helped author.

12:00pm – 2:00pm: The first half of the Town Hall meeting will include an introduction to the current state of community garden affairs, followed by analysis of the new rules governing community gardens on city-owned land by several experts in the field of environmental justice.

2:00pm – 4:00pm: The second half of the event will be devoted to looking above and beyond the new rules: the pervasive sentiment, shared by supporters including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Christina Grace of the NYS Office of Community Gardens, is that true permanency for the gardens lies in legislation. Several legal strategies will be discussed; the Coalition is urging all elected local and state representatives with an interest in this important environmental justice issue to attend.

Both sessions will conclude with comments from invited greening groups, and an open question & answer period.


Related Content

Community Gardens

Links

Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG): Community Garden Alliance
New York City Community Garden Coalition

City Announces Revised Rules for Community Gardens

Updated 2010-09-14: Added links to news reports.


Note: The full press release claims that “there are more than 600 gardens across New York City.” This in incorrect. The latest census lists only 482 gardens, 20% fewer than claimed in Parks’ press release.

Parks Press Release


Monday, September 13, 2010

Parks Commissioner Announces Final Community Garden Rules Strengthening Protections For Gardens

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe today announced the Parks Department has finalized its Community Garden Rules, which incorporate significant changes based on public comments made on the draft rules. The Notice of Adoption, including the full rules, will be published in the City Record on Monday, September 13, 2010 and take effect 30 days later.

Key changes to the proposed rules, led by Commissioner Benepe in concert with elected officials, community boards, and community garden organizations, were made in response to testimony from the community at a public hearing on August 10th, 2010 which was hosted by the Parks Department. They include:

  • Active gardens under the Parks Department’s jurisdiction are preserved as gardens as long as they are registered and licensed by the Department.
  • Licenses will be renewed as long as the garden satisfies the registration criteria.
  • Parks must attempt to identify successor gardening groups for failing gardens and has nine months from time of default to return the garden to active status.
  • New gardens may be created and will have the same protections as existing gardens.
  • A party licensed by the City to perform work that results in damage to a garden will be required to return the garden to its preexisting condition.
  • The Department will attempt to provide notices required under the Current Rules to gardeners in other languages.
  • The Statement of Basis and Purpose states that gardens will be preserved and explains that the transfer and development provisions apply to abandoned and persistently non-compliant gardens under the Department’s jurisdiction.


Related Content

Community Gardens

Links

Parks Press Release, 2010-09-13

Time’s Up! Statement on New Garden Rules, Time’s Up, 2010-09-14

Community Gardens Get More Protection, Brooklyn Eagle, 2010-09-13
Community-Garden Rules Receive a Mixed Reaction, Javier C. Hernandez, NY Times, 2010-09-13
City Adopts New Rules For Community Gardens, Erica Ferrari, NY1 News (Video)
NYC Adopts New Rules For Community Gardens, Monica Morales, WPIX (Video)

Community Gardens Guest Post in Garden Rant

See Community Gardens: Where “Garden” Becomes the Verb on Garden Rant.

Related Content

My Community Gardens page

Links

New York City Community Garden Coalition
Open Space Index Report (PDF), New Yorkers for Parks
American Community Gardening Association

Histories of NYC Community Gardens

New York’s Community Gardens (1970s-2002), TreeBranch Network, Neighborhood Open Space Coalition
Community Gardens in New York City: the Lower East Side of Manhattan (1960s-2002), Not Bored

Contemporary reports from the 2002 Settlement Agreement

Bringing Peace to the Garden of Tranquility, Richard Stapleton, Land&People, Fall 1999, Trust for Public Land
Community Gardens Endangered Still, Anne Schwartz, Gotham Gazette, May 2001
Community Garden Negotiations, Anne Schwartz, Gotham Gazette, May 2002

The 2010 Settlement Expiration and Proposed New Rules

Keeping the Gardens Green, NY Times editorial, 8/2/10
Green groups fear new community garden rules, Heather Haddon, AM New York, 8/4/10
Coalition Seeks More Protection For Community Gardens, Raanan Geberer, Brooklyn Eagle, 8/6/10
Time’s Up Response To Benepe’s Embarrassing NY Post Community Garden Op-Ed, A Walk in the Park, 8/12/10

Support NYC’s Community Gardens

Garden supporters gathered on the steps of City Hall for last Wednesday’s press conference.
NYCCGC Press Conference, City Hall, 2010-08-03

Today is the last day to register to speak at tomorrow’s hearings on proposed rules that will govern more than half of NYC’s community gardens. The New York City Community Gardeners Coalition (NYCCGC) has all the details on their Web site. The deadline for submitting written comments is tomorrow, coinciding with the public hearing.

Many other groups are also joining together for rallies and other events to show support for NYC’s community gardens. Even if you’re not inspired to speak or write, please come out to show your support.

Monday, August 9

Register to speak by calling (212) 360-1335 or email laura.lavelle@parks.nyc.gov. Spoken testimony will be limited to 3 minutes.

Tuesday, August 10

What: PEP RALLY
Time: 9am
Where: Elliot Chelsea Green Grounds
425 West 25th St (9th-10th Aves.), Manhattan

What: Public Hearing (you must register today to speak)
Time: 11am
Where: Chelsea Recreation Center
430 West 25th Street, Manhattan

Related Content

Community Gardeners at City Hall, 2010-08-05
Gardens Supporters Press Conference, 8/4, at City Hall, 2010-08-02
Proposed NYC Rules Threaten Community Gardens, 2010-07-27

Community Gardens
Other Community Garden posts

Links

Take Action: Parks’ Policy Change Threatens Community Gardens, NYC Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC)

Coalition Seeks More Protection For Community Gardens, Raanan Geberer, Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 2010-08-06
Gardens of Fear: Community planters fret over new rules, Erin Durking, NY Daily News, 2010-08-11
NYRP Testifies on Behalf of NYC Community Gardens, New York Restoration Project, 2010-08-16

Community Gardeners at City Hall

Updated 2010-08-05: Added links to more reports on the press conference, variously reported also as a demonstration, protest, or rally.


Beets

Yesterday morning, I joined about 70 of my fellow community gardeners and community garden advocates and supporters on the steps of City Hall. The agreement that has largely protected community gardens in NYC since 2002 expires next month. The press conference was organized by the New York City Community Gardens Coalition (NYCCGC) to draw attention to issues with proposed new rules for NYC’s community gardens.

NYCCGC has all the details on their Web site. I urge everyone to weigh in with written comments, whether submitted through the NYC.gov Web site, or by email. You can also (gasp!) mail a letter. You can even call 311. The hearing is Tuesday, 8/10. If you want to speak, you must register by Monday, August 9. All comments are due on or by August 10, the date of the hearing.

Slideshow

Despite the heat, even at 9:30 in the morning, it was a lovely, energizing, and community-building event. The gardens were well-represented.

Related Content

Gardens Supporters Press Conference, 8/4, at City Hall, 2010-08-02
Proposed NYC Rules Threaten Community Gardens, 2010-07-27

Community Gardens
Other Community Garden posts

Links

Take Action: Parks’ Policy Change Threatens Community Gardens, NYC Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC)

Community Garden Advocates Demand Parks Protections, Maria Eugenia Miranda, NBC New York, 2010-08-04Green groups fear new community garden rules, am New York (Newsday), 2010-08-04
Coming to the Defense of Community Gardens, City Room, NY Times, 2010-08-04
Demonstrators Disapprove Of Proposed NYC Park Rules, CBS New York/1010 WINS, 2010-08-04 (Text and Podcast)
Community Gardeners Rally in Front of City Hall to Push for Green Space Protections, DNAInfo, 2010-08-04
Defend Community Gardens, That Greenpoint Blog, 2010-08-05
Gardeners Root For City Patches, Melanie Grace West, Wall Street Journal, 2010-08-05
Community Garden Advocates Demand Permanent Protection for Their Gardens, Epoch Times, 2010-08-05
Benepe: There He Goes Again, Soiled Hands, 2010-08-05
New Yorkers Rally for Community Garden Protection, Ecocentric, 2010-08-19

Gardens Supporters Press Conference, 8/4, at City Hall

The East 4th Street/Windsor Terrace-Kensington Veterans Memorial Community Garden, one of over 100 NYC community gardens under Parks jurisdiction. The agreement that has largely protected community gardens in NYC since 2002 expires next month. Brooklyn has 42% (204/483) of NYC’s Community Gardens.
Individual Plots, East 4th Street Community Garden

Several community gardening advocacy groups are holding a press conference on the steps of City Hall tomorrow, Wednesday, August 4, at 10:00am. They are inviting all supporters to join them.

The press conference is in response to the new community gardens rules proposed by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).


New York City Community Garden Coalition
RALLY & PRESS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY AUGUST 4TH, 10:00AM
@ NEW YORK CITY HALL STEPS – BE THERE!
We are calling upon all community gardeners, of our members, supporters, and allies to join us this Wednesday, August 4, 2010 on the steps of City Hall
as we voice our concerns regarding the proposed new rules that govern many of our city’s community gardens.

Location: City Hall Steps, New York NY 10007
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Time: 9:30am – 10:30am (Starting at 10:00am Sharp)
The Spencer Street Block Association Garden in Bed-Stuy is under the jurisdiction of HPD. In the eight years of the settlement agreement, HPD has destroyed nearly all of its gardens. Only about 20 remain across the city.
Spencer Street Garden

Enter the City Hall steps area by passing through metal detectors on the East or West entrance of City Hall inside City Hall Park.

We will meet at 9:30am
@ the East side of the steps
(closest to Brooklyn Bridge)
Bring your fellow gardeners, neighbors, kids, pictures, banners, flowers, vegetables….
Please confirm you are coming by calling us at (888) 311-3993 or emailing us at info@NYCCGC.org

Getting to City Hall by Subway:
4, 5, 6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall
R, W to City Hall
2, 3 to Park Place
J, M, Z to Chambers Street
E to World Trade Center
A, C to Chambers Street

This press conference is in response to the Proposed Parks Rules and upcoming Public Hearing on Tuesday August 10th for more info go to http://www.nyccgc.org


Hellebores and Narcissus in March of 2007 in the Summit Street Community Garden in Red Hook/Columbia Waterfront neighborhood, another Parks garden that would be eligible to be sold to developers under Parks’ proposed new rules.
Hellebores and Narcissus in the North border, Summit Street Community Garden

[goo.gl]

Related Content

Proposed NYC Rules Threaten Community Gardens, 2010-07-27

Community Gardens
Other Community Garden posts

Links

Notice of Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Rule (PDFs) from Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Housing Preservation and Development

Take Action: Parks’ Policy Change Threatens Community Gardens, NYC Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC)

Coming to the Defense of Community Gardens, City Room, NY Times, 2010-08-04

Community Gardens Need Your Help, Backyard and Beyond, 2010-08-03
Keeping New York City’s Community Gardens Green, NY Times Editorial opposing the proposed rules, 2010-08-02
New York’s Community Gardens Lose Protect Status, Threatened With Development Under New Rules, TreeHugger, 2010-07-27
Letter to Gardeners (PDF), NYCCGC, 2010-07-22
Protect our community gardens, EV Grieve, 2010-07-19

The 2002 Settlement

2002 Memorandum of Agreement (PDF), NYCCGC

Community Gardens Lawsuit Settles, The Municipal Arts Society of New York (MASNYC), 2004-02-09
Ending a Long Battle, New York Lets Housing and Gardens Grow, NY Times, 2002-09-19
Community Gardens in New York City: the Lower East Side of Manhattan offers a summarized timeline of community gardens in NYC from 1965-2002

Design Drafts for the Parsonage at the Flatbush Reformed Church

This afternoon at 3pm I’ll be presenting to the community drafts of two alternative designs for a new communal garden on the grounds of the Parsonage, a landmarked historic building, on the grounds of the Flatbush Reformed Church.

Neither of these is a final design. They’re intended simply to present key features requested by community members at the Visioning Workshops and show how they might integrate into a cohesive design. The two designs weight these features differently, giving more or less space to different areas, and supporting different activities. I’m hoping this afternoon’s meeting will highlight the most popular features of each design, which can be recombined into a final design for this garden.

Dimensions

Here’s the base plan, drawn to scale at 3/16″ = 1 foot, of the site. Kenmore Terrace is at the bottom of the plan, East 21st Street on the left, the parking lot on the right. North is roughly up.

The Parsonage, Garden Design Base Plan

The front porch is nearly 53′ long! It’s just over 25′ from the fence along Kenmore Terrace to the front of the porch, and 27′ from the East 21st Street fence to the side. It’s nearly 85′ from the parking lot to East 21st. The sidewalk bed along Kenmore Terrace is 3’6″ deep. The bed between the fence and the parking lot is 8’3″ deep.

Existing Conditions

The Parsonage, Existing Vegetation

The space is dominated by large, mature oak trees which provide high shade over the entire property. Three large Taxus, Yew, shrubs exist as foundation plantings in front of the porch. There probably was at one time fourth shrub, at the far left of the porch, to complete the symmetry.

Everything else is lawn. Between the parking lot and the center walk, the lawn is sparse and the ground is compacted. To the left of the center walk, the ground is less compacted, and the grass transitions to a mix of clover and moss closer to East 21st Street.

There are planting beds between the fence along the property line and the sidewalk. Existing plantings of perennials in these beds are scattered and sparse.

Design A: “The Commons”

The Parsonage, Garden Design: The Commons

This design maximizes space to meet, sit and play. A paved patio area is created between the center walk and the parking lot. Benches provide seating for over 20 people. A large expanse of lawn provides space for running around or lawn games, such as badminton, horseshoes, etc.

Raised beds – 4×4 or 2×4 – provide over 200 square feet to grow food, herbs, and medicinal plants.

The existing large Taxus, Yew, shrubs are preserved. A buffer of perennials is created around the trunk of each Quercus, Oak, tree.

Rainwater is collected from the downspout near the western end of the porch (left in this rendering).

Design B: “Sanctuary”

The Parsonage, Garden Design: Sanctuary

This design provides for both shared and intimate experiences in the garden. Three gardens are created here: a common area, a wildlife habitat garden, and a rain garden.

The existing Yews are removed to make more room, especially for the common area between the center walk and the parking lot.

A few raised beds are specified in this design in the common area. More space is available for raised beds to the right of this plan, between the parking lot and the fence along the property line.

The common area has both a paved patio area and a small lawn for picnicking.  A wide entrance and semi-circular bench around the base of one of the Oaks provides a generous invitation to enter and linger. No other seating is specified, but could be added, for example, on the ends of the raised beds.

The wildlife habitat garden is contained with a meandering path. Two small understory trees provide focal points. These would be underplanted with small shrubs, and shade-loving perennials. The path is designed to both cutoff and provide access to this garden. You can’t see everything without walking the path. Two benches provide intimate seating, out of sight of each other and other areas of the garden.

Rainwater is collected from the downspout near the western end of the porch (left in this rendering). Here, a “stream” is designed to direct overflow to the rain garden. This would be planted with native shrubs, ferns, and wildflowers.

[goog.gl]

Related Content

Designing a New Communal Garden, 2010-07-17

Links

Community Garden Potluck August 1st!, Sustainable Flatbush, 2010-07-24

Flatbush Reformed Church
CAMBA
Flatbush Farm Share CSA

Proposed NYC Rules Threaten Community Gardens

Update 2010-07-28:


The Baltic Street Community Garden in Park Slope, as it appeared in July 2008. It was destroyed in 2009 by the NYC Department of Education.
Baltic Street Community Garden

The agreement that has largely protected New York City community gardens for nearly a decade expires this September. Community gardens fall under different jurisdictions, depending on whether they are in private hands, such as a land trust organization, or on land controlled by an Agency of the City. In advance of the expiration of the agreement, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR, or simply “Parks”) and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) have drafted revised rules for governing the gardens under their care. In short: gardens will have no protection.

Public comments are due in writing by August 10. To view the proposed rules, or to submit comments:

  1. Visit Proposed Rules on the NYC.gov Web site.
  2. For “Agency”, Select “DPR” or “HPD”.
  3. Click [GO].
  4. Click “Community Gardens” to view the Proposed Rule (PDF). Click “Comment” to submit your written comments online.

There is a community meeting tomorrow evening for gardeners and advocates of NYC’s community gardens to learn about the issues and what we can do in response.

Gardener’s Information Session
Wednesday July 28 6-8pm
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Auditorium
1000 Washington Ave.
Subway: 2,3 to Eastern Pkwy, or B, Q to Prospect Park  

Public Hearing
August 10 11am
Chelsea Recreation Center
430 W. 25th St (btwn 9 & 10)
Subway: C, E to 23rd Street, or A to 34th Street

The Campus Road Garden in South Midwood, as it appeared in August 2008. It was destroyed earlier this year by Brooklyn College.
Campus Road Garden

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Related Content

Community Gardens
Other Community Garden posts

Links

Notice of Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Rule (PDFs) from Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Housing Preservation and Development

Take Action: Parks’ Policy Change Threatens Community Gardens, NYC Community Garden Coalition (NYCCGC)

New York’s Community Gardens Lose Protect Status, Threatened With Development Under New Rules, TreeHugger, 2010-07-27
Letter to Gardeners (PDF), NYCCGC, 2010-07-22
Protect our community gardens, EV Grieve, 2010-07-19

The 2002 Settlement

2002 Memorandum of Agreement (PDF), NYCCGC

Community Gardens Lawsuit Settles, The Municipal Arts Society of New York (MASNYC), 2004-02-09
Ending a Long Battle, New York Lets Housing and Gardens Grow, NY Times, 2002-09-19
Community Gardens in New York City: the Lower East Side of Manhattan offers a summarized timeline of community gardens in NYC from 1965-2002

Designing a New Communal Garden

2010-07-31: Added base plan, drawn to scale, of the site.
2010-07-26: Added transcribed notes from the workshop materials.


On June 6 and June 16, Sustainable Flatbush and the Flatbush Reformed Church held two Community Visioning Workshops for a new communal garden to be created on the grounds of the Church. On Sunday, August 1, 3pm, we invite community review of proposed designs.

Participants of the second community visioning workshop introduce themselves on the grounds of the future garden.
Church Garden Visioning Workshop #2

We invite design proposals from the community. This post has basic information about the site, including measurements and general conditions, as well as the notes from the workshop sessions, to inform your designs.

Location

The main area available for the new garden is the front lawn of the Parsonage of the Flatbush Reformed Church. This building is at the corner of a dead-end court, Kenmore Terrace, and lightly-traveled through-street, East 21st Street.


View Larger Map

Here’s how the site looks from the corner. Kenmore Terrace is in the foreground, East 21st Street is on the left. The view is looking slightly east of north.
The Parsonage

Dimensions

Here’s the base plan, drawn to scale at 3/16″ = 1 foot, of the site. Kenmore Terrace is at the bottom of the plan, East 21st Street on the left, the parking lot on the right. North is roughly up.
The Parsonage, Garden Design Base Plan

The front porch is nearly 53′ long! It’s just over 25′ from the fence along Kenmore Terrace to the front of the porch, and 27′ from the East 21st Street fence to the side. It’s nearly 85′ from the parking lot to East 21st. The sidewalk bed along Kenmore Terrace is 3’6″ deep. The bed between the fence and the parking lot is 8’3″ deep.

Here is my sketched, unscaled, plan of the site, drawn from the perspective of the front porch of the Parsonage. Kenmore Terrace is at the top of the plan, the parking lot is on the left, East 21st on the right.
Flatbush Reformed Church Parsonage Site Plan

Conditions

The plan notes the approximate locations of three of the large oak trees around the perimeter of site, just inside the fence. They provide high shade over the entire property. The sidewalk beds along Kenmore get some sun during the middle of the day, enough, at least, for some Hemerocallis to bloom there.

Soil tests revealed high levels of metals in the soil, too high to grow food directly in the soil. There are ample opportunities for raised beds across the site. A second area, with full sun next to the parking lot, will be used for raised beds.

Transcription

These notes were transcribed from the Workshop collages.

Church Garden Visioning Workshop #2


EDUCATION PROGRAMS:
produce, herbs and food
– children-run MINI-CSA for neighbors (like a lemonade but w/ produce)
– COOKING CLASSES/demos *** (on nutrition *)
– medicinal HERB WORKSHOPS

art and culture
– ART WORKSHOPS
– art & CULTURE CURRICULUMS

biking
– BIKE riding LESSONS in parking lot
– BIKE MAINTENANCE workshops

youth-oriented programming
– EDUCATION PROGRAMS – interface w/ local charter school & public schools
– summer/ weekend educational for kids
– GARDEN VISITS- kids visiting garden from schools

gardening programming
– GARDENING 101 info sessions/workshops **
– HAITIAN COMMUNITY SHARING of traditional farming knowledge
– HOW-TOs to encourage others to use their BACKYARD
– SUSTAINABILITY EDucation
– SOLAR installation – demo/workshop when it’s installed
– VERMICOMPOST – how to workshops

methods for running these programs:
– programs out of parsonage
– adaquate documentation of each step taken online
– how to guide for those in other communities looking to start their own gardens and/or gardening tips for those who want to start backyard gardens in the area (similar weather and growing conditions)

EVENTS
theater
– Small THEATER performance on the porch – with a garden or food theme (w/ and for kids) ie. Little Red Hen, Peter Rabbit
– showcase edible plants – “PLANT OF THE WEEK” idea, educate community members about plants they can eat, recipes for preparation, fun facts, etc

food and drink
– monthly POTLUCKS ***
– BBQs w/ veggie foods
– TEA PARTIES! (mint & ginger) **
– mint LEMONADE STAND (5 cents)

for the garden
– LEAF COLLECTION in the fall
– PLANT SWAP
– collective SIGN DESIGN

fun
– non-amplified MUSIC (jazz, blue-grass, brazilian, steel drums)
– ACUPUNCTURE
– BOOK CLUB (w/ environmental social justice focus)

trips
– FARM TRIP

seasonal programming
– spring/easter HAT PARADE
– campfire style GHOST STORIES (smores, etc)
– PUMPKIN carving in the fall

– halloween party (compost halloween pumpkins)

getting to know you
– porch party
– MEET my neighbors

methods
– intergenerational gardening
– gatherings

GARDEN AREAS:
by plants
– Fragrant garden
– butterfly garden ***
– kids garden ** (and education programs)
– discovery gardens ** (tactile plants **)
– meditation bench in quiet leafy spot
– cactus/low water garden
– polinator garden in front of parsonage

for programming
– area for potluck/picnics
– long table for potlucks
– benches & tables for gathering **

art
– murals
– sculptures

for garden techniques
– corner of garden for pumpkin patch (also it’s right next to a cemetery so that’s cool!)
– vertical gardening for the fenced in areas **
– maze path lined w/ flowers
– path (curvy, etc) **
– tree beds – protect trees we are working around

GARDEN INFRASTRUCTURE:
garden-based infrastructure and decor
– beehive **
– birdhouse *****
– greenhouse ***
– sundial
– solar lighting/lanterns **
– water fountain *** (solar powered ones *)

gardening method infrastructure
– rain water catchment ***
– composting

for fun
– treehouse*
– swing **
– hammock

for transport
– bike parking **** (bike racks)

for entryway
– beautiful welcoming gate **
– sign on gate w/ info on how to join
– arbor over entrance

etc
– recycling on church grounds
– wind power
– solar power **
– human power
– whimsy

walls
– living wall

– a living structure – like a small yurt from woven willows that are still growing and changing – the kids can play in it
– sound barrier

GARDEN TECHNIQUES:
methods

– lasagna gardening
– 3 sister type planting (corn, beans, root veggies)
– companion planting as a model for small space gardening – how to have a garden grow food for your family in a small space
– permaculture

– heal the soil

– container gardening
– recycled containers as planters (ie. pickle barrel) – drill holes for drainage
– raised beds for food
– cold frames (windows work! “or so i’ve heard”)

fertilizing
– organic fertilizers (garden plenty, liquid kelp spray, sea rich)
– organic **

keep
– seed library – seed saving

THINGS TO GROW:

herbs *

– food herbs ***
– basil *
– medicinal herbs ** (ie. comfrey, hyssop, lavender)
– parsley **
– rosemary **
– cilantro
– thyme

fruits

– grapes*
– berries
– fruit trees **
– avocados
– strawberries
– pink lady apples
– peaches
– cherries
– watermelon
– apples
– grapes
– blueberries

vegetables
– pumpkins
– squash*
– brussel srpouts
– eggplant
– artichoke
– salad greens*
-radishes
– beans
– chickpeas
– root veggies (onions ***, carrots ***, potatoes ***, radishes)
– tomatoes **
– peppers
– garlic
– scallion
_ ginger **
– any green leafed vegetables
– kale
– legumes
– swiss chard
– zuchini
– bell pepers
– leeks
– green beens
– tomatoes
– hot pepers
– lettuce
– cucumbers

– wine harvesting

flowers


[goo.gl]

Related Content

Flickr photo set

June 16: Community Visioning Workshop for a new Communal Garden
Help Envision a New Garden: Sunday, June 6

Links

Garden Visioning Session report, Jeremy Teperman, Sustainable Flatbush, 2010-07-01

Flatbush Reformed Church
CAMBA
Flatbush Farm Share CSA