Community Garden Resources
GENERAL COMMUNITY GARDEN RULES/REGULATIONS
Please remember that all First Community Housing community garden spaces are kept ORGANIC (without pesticides) and all gardeners are responsible for maintaining an organic environment. Gardeners are also responsible for preserving any tools or resources provided by management for gardening including: water, shovels, wheel barrows, etc.
For your review, the Community Garden Rules are available for download below:
PLANTING
Pre-Planting: Knowing your garden environment
Every garden environment is unique depending on area and location. Take some time to get to know your garden environment to understand how to best cater to your garden space. The links below provide more information to help get to know your garden environment.
-
Environmental Factors Affecting Plant Growth: "Plant growth and geographic distribution (where the plant can grow) are greatly affected by the environment. If any environmental factor is less than ideal, it limits a plant's growth and/or distribution." - Oregon State
-
Considerations for Container Gardens: "Light and temperature are key environmental factors to successfully growing and maintaining plants whether they are in the ground or in containers. Containers offer the advantage of being portable. As the seasons, temperature and light conditions change, you can move your containers to maintain the desired conditions for peak performance." - illinois.edu
What/When to Plant
The type of plant and timing of planting are both essential to ensure successful plant growth. Below are guides to help determine what you can plant in your garden and when.
How to Plant
The process of planting is just as important as knowing the environment and needs of your plants. Understanding the best practices for planting can make all the difference for plant survival.
-
Planting the Right Way: "The best way to get a new plant off to a healthy start is to base your practices on how that plant is packaged: as bareroot, container grown, or balled and burlapped (B&B). Packaging influences the condition of the roots and the root-ball soil, which in turn affects how to plant properly." Finegardening
PLANT CARE
Watering
While water is essential to plant care, it is also a precious natural resource that should be used sparingly and with care. The links below provide more information on how to properly water plants while being mindful of water usage.
-
Drought Gardening: "Water restrictions and conservation should be taken into consideration when deciding on starting an edible home garden. If local water allocation allows for an edible garden, homeowners can grow fruits and vegetables in their backyard using water-wise practices." California Garden
-
Waterwise Tips: These tips are useful during difficult droughts in Santa Clara County.
Mulch/Composting
Mulch and compost can be added to gardens to increase the performance and longevity of soil. Understanding the uses for each can help increase the live and vibrance of your garden.
TREE CARE
REMINDER: Trees are only to be planted in designated areas and only with explicit permission to plant.
-
General Tree Care Tips: These comprehensive tree care tips will guide you through the process of selecting, planting, and caring for the right tree for your space.
-
Tree Care Topics: Learn how to get a tree off to healthy start at any season.
-
UC Master Gardener: Since 1980, the UC Master Gardener Program has been extending research-based information about home horticulture and pest management to the public. The UC Master Gardener Program is a public service and outreach program under the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, administered locally by participating UC Cooperative Extension county offices.
Additional Tree Care Resources
Our City Forest: Proper care is vital for healthy plants and trees. Learn how to maintain, protect and care for your new or existing trees and shrubs for generations of beauty and benefits.
GARDEN FRIENDS AND FOES
While some garden bugs are invasive and harmful, many are essential to garden success! Determining the friends and foes of gardening can help keep our gardens thriving.
REMINDER: All community gardens are to be kept ORGANIC, prohibiting the use of any pesticides. There are many all-natural ways to manage garden pests without pesticides!
ADDITIONAL GARDENING RESOURCE LINKS
Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay
ADDITIONAL GARDENING RESOURCE LINKS
Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay
EMERGENCY FOOD
If you or others around you are in need of Emergency Food, many local resources are available to support you.
* Call 211: 211 is a referral service connecting individuals to human services near them. Specialists can provide information for many services, including food resources. The line is free and available 24/7 in 150 languages. All calls are confidential.
* Aunt Bertha: Aunt Bertha is an online database connecting individuals to social services based on zip code. Information on food includes: Emergency Food, Food Delivery, Food Pantries, Help Paying for Food, Meals and Nutrition Education.
* Second Harvest Food Bank: Second Harvest is committed to providing free healthy food to anyone in need. You can call 1-800-984-3663 or visit their website using the QR code for more information.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD
Growing food costs can put a strain on household budgets and make it difficult to financially keep up. If you are in need of additional financial assistance for food, the resources below can connect you to funds available.
ADDITIONAL GARDENING RESOURCE LINKS
Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County
Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay