Community gardens bring communities together by providing opportunities for socialization, growing fresh food, sharing gardening knowledge, and increasing environmental awareness. The documents describe two example community gardens: the Swinton Community Garden in Delray Beach, Florida, which has individual plots maintained by members who pay an annual fee; and the Miramar Community Garden in Miramar, Florida, which uses grow bags and has no individual plots, relying instead on volunteer labor in exchange for produce. Both gardens aim to promote organic practices and sustainability.
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Community Gardens Presentation 8.31.2010
1. Community Gardens PresentationRiverside Park Residents Association Community gardens bring communities together.Providing an opportunity for socialization, growing and eating fresh food, sharing knowledge about gardening, about each other, environmental awareness, life brings life in every sense of the wordSo what can we expect?
2. Community Gardens PresentationRiverside Park Residents Association Community gardens succeed becauseNeighborhood championCommitted volunteersUnderstanding of gardeningMaster gardenerFinancial commitmentOrganizationResources/partners Some examples of community gardens
3. Swinton Community GardenDelray Beach, FloridaCommunity garden on privately owned landFounded November 2008Assigned individual plotsOrganic best practicesRaised beds 4x4,10x20Water provided by ownerSeason October JuneRegistration, contract & annual fee $35
6. Swinton Community Garden Plot RegistrationWelcome to SCG!SCGs gardening season is September 1st May 31st.Annual Membership Fee: $35This fee will be applied to water bills, annual mulch and other communal garden expenses.Gardeners must complete a Release of all Claims form & submit membership fees before any work in the garden can begin.Each gardener is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot. Watering, weeding, harvesting and any other garden related maintenance are all the responsibility of the gardener. If plots become unkempt, members will receive notice by email and/or phone, after which garden privileges are forfeited and that plot is subject to reassignment.Swinton Community Garden is an organic garden. The application of herbicides, non-organic pesticides and non-organic fertilizers is prohibited. Any soil imported into the garden should also be free of chemical fertilizers.Once a garden space has been assigned, gardeners are expected to plant within two weeks (within growing season) and maintain their gardens from October to June, at which time plants are to be removed from plots, and plots must be prepared for summer (see #15).Plants are to be kept within the limits of the garden plots and not grow so tall or dense as to shade neighboring gardens. Plots may not be expanded beyond their original size without the permission of SCG coordinators. Please also consult with SCG coordinators before constructing any structures in your plot.Members may plant only within their own plots (not in open areas of the community garden plot), unless otherwise arranged with SCG coordinators. In general, Members may grow any legal, edible plant and/or flowers, however SCG coordinators may make decisions about the appropriateness of certain plants, and may require that they be removed, if necessary.Any structures built within plots (e.g. supports for plants) must be approved by SCG coordinators. In general, structures must be made only of non-pressure treated wood, and may not exceed 3 in height.HURRICANES: in the event of a hurricane, all garden structures and unsecured items in plots (posts, fencing, pots, lattices etc.) must be removed from SCG premises. Take them home. After the storm has passed, they may be reinstalled.SCG garden equipment and tools are for communal use in the garden, but must be stored in designated places when you are finished using them. The attached hose is garden property and may be used by all garden members. Garden watering should be managed for best practices and water conservation.
7. Swinton Community Garden Plot RegistrationCOMPOST: composting bins are provided, but PLEASE READ THE COMPOSTING GUIDELINES (provided by email and on site in SCG) prior to contributing anything to these bins.Workshops and any community gathering held on at the SCG other than gardening individual plots must first be approved by SCG coordinators. Members agree not to harvest or alter in any way other Members plots. Members agree not to leave any trash or other items, or build/install unauthorized plots or structures in SCG. Doing so is grounds for termination of membership.At the termination of garden membership, gardeners are responsible for clearing their plot of all plant material and structures. SCG coordinators will reassign the plot.If Members arrange to have non-members care for their plots at any time, SCG coordinators must be notified prior to non-members working in the garden.Children are welcome in the garden but must be accompanied by an adult and be supervised at all times. Pets are also welcome, but please keep them on a leash. Garden guests are also welcome, but members must be present when guests are in the garden.There will be no gardening in plots between June 1st Sept 1st. Exceptions for AVID summer gardeners can be made. Please contact the SCG coordinators to discuss.Summer Plot Preparation: No later than June 1st plots must be covered. Gardeners may choose to either 1) solarize 2) mulch heavily to prevent weeds or 3) plant a green manure cover crop such as sweet potato, legumes, etcβThe use of this privately-owned property on Swinton Avenue has been offered on a temporary basis. Should the land no longer be available, members will be given advanced notice and adequate time to clear all plant and box material. GARDEN APPEARANCE: Swinton Community Garden is a privately owned, unique element of downtown Delray Beach, in a prominent historic district and subject, to some extent, to aesthetic and structural codes. It is important that SCG maintain an appearance in harmony with both the property owners needs, and the priorities of the city of Delray Beach. While there is no accounting for aesthetics, in an effort to support SCGs longevity and maximize SCGs contribution to the community and Delray Beach, SCG coordinators reserve the right to make decisions about garden appearance, and manage the garden accordingly.
8. SCG Membership Contract 2009 - 2010Swinton Community Garden Plot Registration*Name ____________________________________________ Date______________________ Address__________________________________________________________________________ City ______________________________________________ Zipcode____________________*Phone _____________________________ *Email ______________________________*RequiredCommitmentI have read and understand the Swinton Community Garden Membership Contract, and agree to abide by it. I understand breaking any rules within this Contract is cause for termination of membership in the garden and loss of garden plot.Signed: ___________________________________ Date:________________Once we have received your completed Registration form & Annual Membership fee, SCG will contact you, and your membership will be active! Please:PLEAES MAKE CHECKS FOR SEASONAL FEE OF $35 OUT TO: Michiko KurisuMAIL CHECKS & THIS FORM TO: SWINTON COMMUNITY GARDEN1300 SW 21ST LANEBOCA RATON, FL 33486Thank you !!Annual Membership Fee Paid足足
9. Release of All Claims FormRelease of All ClaimsI, ______________________________ am a participant in the Swinton Community Garden (SCG). As a condition of being allowed to participate in the Community Garden I agree to the following:I am duly aware of the risks and hazards that may arise through participation in the SCG, and assume any expenses and liabilities that I incur in the event of an accident, illness or other incapacity. If I have had any questions about the SCG, its nature risks or hazards, I have contacted the Garden Coordinators and discussed those questions with him or her to my satisfaction.In consideration of being granted the opportunity to participate in the SCG, I, for myself, my executors, administrators, agents and assigns to do hereby release and forever discharge the Garden Committee, Garden Coordinators, volunteers, other gardeners, and the cooperating landowners from all claims of damages, demands and any actions whatsoever, including those based on negligence, in any manner arising out of my participation in this activity. I understand that this Release means that, among other things, I am giving up my right to sue for any losses, damages, injury or costs that I may incur.I represent and certify that my true age is either 18 years or older or, if I am under 18 years old on this date, my parent or legal guardian has read and signed this form. I have read this entire Release, fully understand it, and I agree to be legally bound by it.Participants Signature____________________________________Printed Name__________________________________________ Date_________Parent/Guardians Signature_______________________________Printed Name__________________________________________ Date_________
10. Miramar Community Gardenat Fairway Park Miramar, FloridaCommunity garden on city owned landFounded May 2010No individual plotsOrganic best practicesSeason year roundVolunteer application, background check, attestation of good character
11. Miramar Community Gardenat Fairway Park Miramar, FloridaGarden championed by Mayor and local residents3,100 sq. ft.22 dedicated resident volunteers Sweat equity = produceProvide gardening information and hands-on by experienced & master gardenersCity provided land, basic materials and guidanceVolunteers from City and community to establish gardenSponsorship (Harvest Circle)
12. Miramar Community Gardenat Fairway Park Miramar, FloridaMethod used for garden:Grow bags pilot program for Micro-Urban-FarmCompostDrip irrigation with rain barrels (timer)Water supplemented with city run lines Vocational training in sustainable agriculturePerimeter fenceEstimated budget $12,120
15. Miramar Community Gardenat Fairway Park Miramar, FloridaComposting is still a work in progress to find the best method. With a revolving composting barrel it gets turned once a day so the compost gets aerated and the compost tea drops below.
16. Miramar Community Gardenat Fairway Park Miramar, FloridaBatch composter :Add all of your ingredients at once, turn it periodically and produce a "batch" of compost in four to eight weeks. A batch composter is the fastest way to create compost, but needs to be turned daily and checked for sufficient moisture. You also need to stockpile the materials in a separate area until you have enough to make a batch. For fastest results, shred or chop up the materials before putting them into the composter.
17. Miramar Community Gardenat Fairway Park Miramar, FloridaContinuous composter: Good choice if you primarily want to recycle kitchen and garden waste, and you are not concerned about how quickly you produce a finished product. You add the organic materials as you generate them, mix occasionally, and produce compost over time. If you generate a lot of organic material, you may want to use both types of composters, for the best of both worlds. While the batch composter is making compost, stockpile the next batch of materials in your continuous composter. When the batch of compost is ready for your garden, transfer the continuous pile into the now empty batch composter.
20. Roots of the Garden GroveCoconut Grove, FloridaCommunity garden on privately owned land (church)Founded November 2008No individual plotsAs organic as possibleRaised bedsSeason year round
25. the Harvest of Love GardenLiberty Square, FloridaCommunity garden on public housing landFounded 2009, Revitalized 2010No individual plotsOrganic best practicesCement blocksSeason year round
26. Community Gardens PresentationRiverside Park Residents Association L. Thomas Chancey, owner of Softscapes has offered the property at 16 SW 19th. Avenue to develop into a community gardenCurrently:No water on site.Soil not usable for in-ground plantingNo perimeter fencePossible solutions:Water brought on site- City can provide water meter? Hose bib? Piped from neighbor?Plantings in bags, pots or raised bedsDonation(s) by local business for supply and placement of fence
27. Community Gardens PresentationRiverside Park Residents Association Resources available: Within the neighborhoodCity of Fort LauderdaleBroward CountyState of FloridaUniversities, schoolsOther community gardensInternetLibraryPablo del Real Tool LibraryAdditional resources?
28. Community Gardens PresentationRiverside Park Residents Association Ten Steps:Organize a meeting of interested peopleForm a planning committeeIdentify all your resourcesApproach a sponsorChoose a sitePrepare and develop the siteOrganize the gardenPlan for childrenDetermine the rules and put them in writingHelp members keep in touch with each otherProvided by the American Community Gardening Association