City of Wilmington Community Garden Start-Up Guide Created by the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition “Local Foods Grow Healthy Communities” To create a garden is to search for a better world. In our effort to improve on nature, we are guided by a vision of paradise. Whether the result is a horticultural masterpiece or only a modest vegetable patch, it is based on the expectation of a glorious future. This hope for the future is at the heart of all gardening. ~ Marina Schinz Cover photo courtesy University of Delaware Cooperative Extension Contributors: • Ruth Arias, Delaware Center for Horticulture • Ann Mattingly, Delaware Center for Horticulture • Rachel Coyne, New Castle Conservation District • Maya Baruch, Pure Land Permaculture • Karen Curtis, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension • Carrie Murphy, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension • Randi Novakoff, WILMAPCO CONTENTS 1. Introduction.......................................................................................... Page 3 2. What is a Community Garden............................................................... Page 4 3. Determining Garden Need and Desire.................................................. Page 5 4. Determining Garden Type and Goals.................................................... Page 5 5. Organizing a Meeting............................................................................ Page 6 6. Choosing a Leader................................................................................. Page 6 7. It all Starts with the Soil........................................................................ Page 7 8. Integrated Pest Management................................................................ Page 8 9. Garden Maintenance and Planting....................................................... Page 9 10. Determining Budget............................................................................. Page 10 11. Garden Problems.................................................................................. Page 11 12. Site Selection......................................................................................... Page 12 13. Site Development.................................................................................. Page 13 14. Safety and Accessibility......................................................................... Page 14 15. Liability.................................................................................................. Page 15 16. Funding and Resources......................................................................... Page 15 APPENDIX Appendix A Developing a Vision for Your Garden..................................... Page 17 Appendix B Assessing Community Readiness........................................... Page 18 Appendix C Identifying Neighborhood Resources.................................... Page 19 Appendix D Community Garden Capacity Inventory................................ Page 22 Appendix E IPM Resource List.................................................................. Page 24 Appendix F Composting Brochure............................................................ Page 25 Appendix G Companion Planting.............................................................. Page 33 Appendix H Cover Crops Fact Sheet.......................................................... Page 37 Appendix I Raised Beds............................................................................. Page 41 Appendix J Garden Plan............................................................................ Page 24 Appendix K Garden Waiver....................................................................... Page 45 Appendix L Sample Rental Agreement......................................................Page 46 DELAWARE URBAN FARM AND FOOD COALITION The Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition (DEUFFC) formed in 2008 to support Wilmington, Delaware’s first urban farm at 12th and Brandywine Streets. More than 60 stakeholders representing medical, health, agriculture, funding, and advocacy interests make up the DEUFFC. Through collaborations, partnerships, and other forms of technical assistance between and among members the DEUFFC works to increase the availability of fresh vegetables and fruits through growing, distribution, education, marketing, and policy development. THE DELAWARE CENTER FOR HORTICULTURE For 40 years, the Delaware Center for Horticulture (DCH) has been a leader in Delaware’s community garden movement. The DCH supports over 40 community gardens throughout New Castle County by providing communities with necessary resources, including education, tools, materials, and volunteer support. Located in vacant lots and public spaces, these spaces are as diverse as the neighborhoods in which they are found. Committed to the ground up approach, their community gardens program helps communities with the know-how to create local food systems and creates educational programs to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension (UDCE) connects the public with university knowledge, research and resources to address youth, family, community and agricultural needs. Together with Master Gardener (MG) volunteer educators, UDCE professionals implement and support soil testing and plant diagnostic services, workshops and presentations, demonstration gardens, site visits, phone and email inquiries, and more. With an increasing need to raise agricultural awareness, to address food access and security issues, to teach communities to grow, prepare, and to consume fresh, locally grown food, their program has responded in a multiplicity of ways including their partnership with The DCH to facilitate the work of the Delaware Urban Farm and Food Coalition (DEUFFC). Photo courtesy University of Delaware Cooperative Extension 3 WHAT IS A COMMUNITY GARDEN? For the purpose of this guide, a community garden is broadly defined as any piece of land gardened by a group of people, using either individual or shared plots on public or private land. The land may produce fruit, vegetables, or ornamentals. Community gardens may be found in neighborhoods, schools, connected to institutions such as community agencies, churches or hospitals, and on residential housing grounds (adapted from American Community Gardens Association definition). WHY COMMUNITY GARDENS MATTER Community gardens grow community! These gardens are places where residents get together and build relationshisp with each other. They are also places where families, classmates, and neighbors share knowledge and learn from one another. Gardens serve as a space to grow food, play, and relax. Typically, community gardening offers its participants a source of recreation, education, and respite from the busyness of daily life. Communiy gardens can also serve as an alternate source of income and nutrition for gardeners. GETTING STARTED Creating a community garden is a substantial project requiring sustained effort over several years. It takes a strong commitment from several individuals to create and manage a successful garden. Just because you build it, doesn’t mean they will come. In fact, seldom is a garden that was designed and built by outsiders adopted and sustained by a community. Without a community, you just have a garden. The community should be front and center from the beginning. Below are the basic steps to starting a community garden. STEPS TO CREATING A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON 1. Determine if there really is a need and desire for a garden within the community - See page 5 2. Determine garden type and goals - See page 5 3. Organize a meeting of interested people - See page 6 4. Choose a well-organized leader and team - See page 6 5. Integrated Pest Management - See page 8 6. Planting and Garden Maintenance - See page 9 7. Determining Budget and Sponsorship- See page 10 8. Garden Problems - See page 11 9. Site Selection - See page 12 10. Community Garden Safety and Accessibility - See page 14 11. Liability - See page 15 12. Funding and Resources - See page 15 Photo courtesy University of Delaware Cooperative Extension 4 DETERMINING NEED AND DESIRE FOR A GARDEN WITHIN THE COMMUNITY In order for a garden to be sustainable and a true community resource, it must grow from local conditions and reflect the strengths, needs, and desires of the local community. Assistance from people or organizations outside the community can be helpful. However, the people who will use the garden should make most of the decisions about how the garden is developed and managed. Several exercises are helpful in determining need and desire for a garden within the community: • Developing a Vision for Your Garden Exercise (Gardening Matters/Minneapolis, MN, Community Garden Start-Up Guide): see Appendix A • Assessing Community Readiness (Denver Urban Gardens): see Appendix B • Identifying Neighborhood Resources (Adapted from John P Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Asset-Based Community Development, Evanston, IL: Institute for Policy Research): see Appendix C DETERMINE GARDEN TYPE AND GOALS Neighborhood gardens are typically located on land that is divided into different plots for individual and family use. The land may be borrowed, rented, or owned by the gardeners, and gardeners generally prepare, plant, maintain, and harvest from their own plots. Gardeners and their family, friends, and neighbors usually consume produce from the garden, rather than selling it. Gardeners