Finding Resources Tips and Techniques

Finding Resources

Quick Resource Guide -- Abbreviated list of sources for common garden amenities and such: compost, woodchips, soil testing, and hardscape materials.  Also includes educational resources.  Last updated in March 2006. 

Tool Lending Library
With a large donation of tools in 2006, the SE Como Improvement Association in Minneapolis established a tool lending library. That season about 470 tools were lent to community gardeners, and supported 8 community gardens which did not have the tools they needed. If your community is interested in hosting a tool lending library, please contact us and we can help get you started.

Accessing Manure in Hennepin County
Hennepin County Extension is coordinating with local farmers to provide manure to gardeners.  Find out more about the program and who to contact. 

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Tips and Techniques

Tool Storage and Maintenance
Put together by Aimee McAdams, 18th Avenue Community Garden, Minneapolis.

Garden Design for Physically-Challenged Folks
Some things that can be done in the community garden to make it easier for folks who are physically-challenged. Put together by Aimee McAdams, 18th Avenue Community Garden, Minneapolis. Also check out the ACGA factsheet

Circuit Training in the Garden
Gardening can be a great workout, but you want to make sure to do it smart -- this online factsheet provides lots of great tips on keeping your body in good working order!

Soil Amendments
A good primer from Dowling Community Garden on easy ways to improve the soil in your community garden.

Composting and Mulching
Developed by Corrie Zoll, this is a classic how-to, straight-talking primer. Includes frequently asked questions and city regulations for St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Build Your Own Compost Bin
A link to 9 different compost bin designs and instructions for building each of them. Available through the Riverside County, CA Waste Management Dept.

Vermicomposting
Ccomposting with worms creates luscious soil quickly. Very do-able and year-round recycling of organic matter. We recommend contacting LaVerme's Worms, based in Duluth, for information and materials to get started. Another online resource is the Earth Worm Digest

Planting the Vegetable Garden
A quick guide for planting in Minnesota from UMN Extension. Includes soil prepping, Early crops, Starting plants indoors and Transplanting. Reviewed 2005.

Watering in Dry Weather Tip Sheet
Some good tips for conserving water while keeping your plants healthy

Seed Starting
A variety of online resources to help you start your plants from seed.

1. Starting Plants from Seed -- List of seed companies from Dowling Community Garden in collaboration with the Longfellow Garden Club.
2. Seed Starting Guide from USDA's Natural Conservation Resources Service
3. Garden Watchdog Guide to Gardening by Mail -- A fun online database of seeds and plant companies. Website visitors rate the companies and share their experiences -- an 'Angie's List' of gardening companies!

Season Extension for Community Gardens
These guides were produced through a partnership effort between NRCS and the Red Cliff and Bad River Bands of Lake Superior Chippewa in northwestern Wisconsin.  They describe different techniques for extending the growing season within a community garden setting (published in 2005). 

1. field tunnels
2. floating row covers
3. high tunnels
4. hoop houses

UMN's Sustainable Urban Landscaping Information Series
Learn of techniques and tips, including choosing the right plant for your garden.  Visit the UMN Sustainable Urban Landscaping website, where you can search for Minnesota plants via online database called Plant Elements of Design.

Insects and Diseases
Factsheet from Dowling Community Garden with tips for dealing with common insect and disease problems

Gardening For Wildlife
Easy things you can do to support wildlife in your community garden.  Includes list of plants good for butterflies and birds in our area. From Dowling Community Garden.

Cover Crops Quickie
Basics on improving your soil with Winter Rye, Buckwheat, and Hairy Vetch.   From Dowling Community Garden

Simple and Successful Vegetable Farming
Handouts from UMN Extension for following topics: Healthy soil, pest control, picking & storing vegetables, and marketing your crop. Available in English, Spanish and Hmong.

End of Season Checklist
List of end of year clean up tasks for community gardens, provided by American Community Gardening Association.  With a little extra care now, gardening will be easier and more rewarding next year. Community garden clean-up at this time is important to prevent future pest problems.

Installing a Rainbarrel
Maybe not for every community garden, but a rainbarrel is a great way to capture water (non-chlorinated) for later use. Great for areas where setting up the hose is not so fun. Let Corrie Zoll show you how to install your own rainbarrel!

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