Bulletin #4311 Planning and Managing a Community “Giving” Garden in Maine © 2019 Brand names and trade names are included for educational purposes. No endorsement is implied nor is discrimination intended against similar products or services. Photo credits: For information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or to find your county office, call 800-287-0274 or TDD 800-287-8957 (in Maine), or 207-581-3188, or visit extension.umaine.edu. The University of Maine [name of campus] is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in em- ployment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrim- ination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). Planning and Managing a Community “Giving” Garden in Maine By John Jemison, Extension Professor, Soil and Water Quality, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Table of Contents Background ....................................................................................................................7 Guide Organization..........................................................................................................7 Starting a Garden Program ............................................................................................7 Volunteers and Volunteer Management .......................................................................... Breaking Ground .............................................................................................................. Why Raised Beds .............................................................................................................. Double Digging .................................................................................................................. Adding Fertility Using Organic Production Methods .................................................... Proper Use of Compost .................................................................................................... Feeding Plants .................................................................................................................. Controlling Insects and Other Pests Organically .......................................................... Controlling Fungal Pathogens in the Garden ................................................................ Controlling Weeds in the Garden .................................................................................... Controlling Vertebrate Pests in the Garden .................................................................... How Finely Should the Soil Be Worked? ........................................................................ Soil Organic Matter Management and Impact on Plants................................................ Ready to Plant: Stage 1—Earliest Sown and Transplanted Vegetables ...................... Sowing Leafy Greens: Spinach, Kale, and Arugula........................................................ Favorite Spring Green Recipes ...................................................................................... Turnips (Hakurei)............................................................................................................ Favorite Recipes for Hakurei Turnips ............................................................................ Onions ............................................................................................................................ Leeks .............................................................................................................................. Favorite Onion and Leek Recipes ................................................................................ Cabbage ........................................................................................................................ Favorite Cabbage Recipes ............................................................................................ Potatoes ........................................................................................................................ Favorite Potato Recipes ................................................................................................ Peas .............................................................................................................................. Ready to Plant: Stage 2—Next Plants to Sow or Transplant ........................................ Carrots............................................................................................................................ Favorite Carrot Recipes.................................................................................................. Parsnips.......................................................................................................................... Favorite Parsnip Recipe ................................................................................................ Swiss Chard .................................................................................................................. Favorite Swiss Chard Recipes ...................................................................................... Beets .............................................................................................................................. Favorite Beet Recipes .................................................................................................... Celery ............................................................................................................................ Annual Herbs: Parsley, Dill, and Basil ............................................................................ Ready to Plant: Stage 3—After the Last Frost ................................................................ Bush Green Beans ........................................................................................................ Favorite Green Bean Recipes ........................................................................................ Peppers .......................................................................................................................... Tomatoes ........................................................................................................................ Row Covers with Tomatoes and Peppers ................................................................ Favorite Recipes for Tomatoes ...................................................................................... Sweet Corn .................................................................................................................... Favorite Sweet Corn Recipes ........................................................................................ Squash: Zucchini, Summer Squash, and Winter Squash .............................................. Favorite Summer Squash Recipes ................................................................................ Favorite Winter Squash Recipes .................................................................................... Cucumbers .................................................................................................................... Favorite Cucumber Recipes .......................................................................................... Planning to Start Your Deliveries .................................................................................... Harvesting and Delivering ................................................................................................ How Long to Deliver .......................................................................................................... Repeat Plantings................................................................................................................ Cover Cropping.................................................................................................................. Ready to Plant: Stage 4—Late Planting .......................................................................... Collard Greens .............................................................................................................. Favorite Collard Green Recipe ...................................................................................... Garlic .............................................................................................................................. Putting the Garden to Sleep ............................................................................................ Overwinter Storage............................................................................................................ Conclusions ...................................................................................................................... Background Guide Organization ifteen years ago, I taught an My hope is that this guide will help anyone Environmental Sustainability course who has an interest in community gardening for University o Maine Cooperative to do that task with skill and capacity. Extension. It was a seven-evening Gardening isn’t difficult, but gardening well is Fsession involving approximately 20 hours of not easy. I