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'-1 '-� 14. Get Growing! Many new gazden groups make the mistake of remaining in the planning, design and fundraising stage for an extended period of time. There is a fine line between planning well and over planning. After several months of the initial research, designing, planning, and outreach efforts, group members will very likely be faeling frustrated and will begin to wonder if all zheir efforts will ever result in a garden. That's why it's important to plant something on your site as soon as possible. People need to see visible results or they will begin to lose interest in the project. To keep the momentum going, initiate the following steps even if you are still seeking donations and funds or your project (but not until you have signed a lease and obtained insurance). a. Clean up the Site Schedule community workdays to clean up the site. How many work days you need will depend on the size of the site, and how much and what kind of debris aze on site. b. Set-up the Water System Without water ou can't ow an h' S t thi k Major projects in the garden may require additiona] assistance (extra backs and arms!). Some businesses look for opportunities for their employees to volunteer together. Also many social sernice organizations 2�ave programs for youth or other populations and are also looking for outdoor opportunities for their clients to help the community. Gazdening Matters can help you identify potential partners. , y gr yt mg. o ge s ey element into place as soon as possible. There aze plenty of opportunities for community involvement — fiom preparing water barreIs to setting up spigots. c. Plant Something Once you have water, there are many options for in-gazden action. Stake out beds and pathways by marking them with stakes and twine. Mulch pathways. You can also plant shade and fruit trees and begin to landscape the site. If you do not yet have a source of donated plants, plant annual flower seeds which will grow quickly and can be repIaced Iater. ConsuIt Gardening Matters for sources of free or discounted woodchips, compost, seeds and seedlings. d. Continue to construct the garden as materials and funds become available. 15. Celebrate! At this point, your ideas and hard work have finally become a community gazden! Be sure to take time to celebrate. Have a grand opening, barbecue, or some other fun event to give everyone who helped to make this happen a special thank you. This is the time to give all those who donated materials or time a special certificate, bouquet, or other form of recognition. 16. Troubleshooting as the Garden Develops All community gazdens will experience problems somewhere along the way. Don't get discouragec�get organized. The key to success for community gardens is not only preventing problems from ever occurring, but also working together to solve them when ihey do inevitably occur. In our experience, these are some of the most common problems that "crop-up" in community g�rdens, and our suggestions for solving them a. Vandalism � Most gardens experience occasional vandalism. The best action you can take is to replant immediately. Generally the vandals become bored after a while and stop. Good community outreach, especially to youth and the gazden's immediate neighbors is also important. Most important--don't get too discouraged. I[ happens. Get over it and keep going. What about bazbed wired or razor wire to make the garden more secure? Our advice-- don't. It's bad for community relations, looks awful, and is sometimes illegal to install without a permit. If you need more physical detenents to keep vandals out, plant roses or barberry or other thorn-enhanced.plants along your fence, their thorns will do the trick! (As with all thorny plants, maintenance tends to slack over time unless there is a concerted effort to maintain them) <rri;;�.�;r,�,,;�?!z;trr.(�(��tiWr-1��'!�ni�!;� �iEv''1{iU ��w�r.gardcningmaliCrs.org 7:24