1. home and garden

FEBRUARY—MAY 2015
from
The Garden Project
Who do you grow for?
FRIENDS
OUR COMMUNITY
FAMILY
SENIORS
MYSELF
Welcome to another fun year of growing our community
We’ve been working diligently all winter with funding reports, repackaging seeds, and prepping for Garden Leaders Training.
It seems like each year our ‘off-season’ gets shorter and shorter.
This winter, we also had some long conversations about our garden rules and realized we need to enforce things a bit better and make
them clearer. Our attempts to be as efficient and effective as possible, to as many people as possible, are difficult if we let some people
slide from following the policies everyone agrees to.
Below are 3 areas that we’ll be especially focused on these next few years.
Tool and Equipment Check-Out: If you check out tools and equipment from the Resource Center, you must return them
in a timely manner. It’s easy to check out the tool again by calling the office or stopping at the RC. Sometimes a tool breaks,
that’s OK, please return it and speak with us. If you do not return tools to the RC, you will not be allowed to receive
anything from the Resource Center in the future.
Unpaid Plot Fees: Our fees, along with generous donations, allow us to purchase materials and supplies for the gardens.
If you do not pay plot fees, you will not be allowed to garden the next season without first paying past due fees.
We still offer plot fee waivers for anyone that needs one.
Plot Cleanup/Abandoned Plots: We spend too much staff and volunteer time cleaning up plots at the end of the year.
We know everyone has their own definition of clean plots, but structures, trellising, fencing, and other items that can damage our
tilling equipment cannot be left in plots. If you do not clean up your plot at the end of the season, you will not be allowed
to garden with us the following season. After that ‘off’ season, you will be allowed to register again.
(Note: We do not manage every garden in our network; this rule pertains only to the 16 community gardens that register directly with us,
though stands as a good suggestion for all gardens.)
Thanks for understanding our need to enforce these rules. We hope to create a better experience for all gardeners by applying the
rules fairly and equally. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
APRIL 2015
TUES
7
WED
THURS
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
16
17
18 Bed Prep
& Planting
Workshop
12:30 @ Roots
Farm in Mason
24
25
Pest &
Disease Control
Workshop
12:30 @
Hunter Park
Garden House
1
2
O Full Moon
Garden 101 Workshop
7– 8 pm @
Haslett Library
What’s at the
Resource Center?
14
Garden 101
Workshop
Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
6:30pm @
Webberville
Library
 Tools: for you to borrow—
shovels, hoes, rakes, and more.
 Seeds: select some to get your
garden started. (We have many
but not all varieties.) Support
local businesses if you’re able.
15
21
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
22
23
Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
 Plants: as they become available,
mostly after Memorial Day.
 Educational resources: books,
videos, fact sheets & more.
Meet other gardeners.
28
 Please note, we may limit
5:30pm @
Stockbridge Library
distribution to ensure fairness.
2401 Marcus St. (48912)
Corner of Foster & Marcus,
block south of Kalamazoo St.
on Lansing’s eastside.
WEDS 10am-1pm:
4/15, 4/22, 4/29,
5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27
NT U E S
Also open by appointment
Just give us a call!
(517)853-7809
WED
Tool Use &
6
Safety Class
Resource
6pm @ Roots
Center Open
Farm in Mason
10am-1pm
Pest Control
(part 1) Workshop
6pm @ Roots
Farm in Mason
19
THURS 5-7pm:
4/16, 4/23, 4/30,
5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28
SAT 10am-1pm: 5/16, 5/30
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
MAY 2015
12
TUES 5-7pm: 5/26
Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
Gardening 101
Workshop
5
The Garden Project
Foster Park
Resource Center
Spring Hours
30
29
13
THURS
7
FRI
1
2
8
9
Compost
Workshop
12:30 @
Urbandale Farm
15
16
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
14
Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
and
SAT
Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
Grow-A-Row
Workshop
7– 8 pm @
Haslett Library
20 Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
21
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
22
23
29
30 Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
and
3rd Thursday Potluck
6pm @ Webster Farm
26 Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
27 Resource
Center Open
10am-1pm
28
Resource
Center Open
5pm-7pm
The Garden Project’s 2015 Community Garden Guide
Garden Project doesn’t register gardens listed in the small boxes below but many would welcome your participation!
You can visit our website or call us for more info on how to get involved.
Many of these gardens grow food for donation, or serve specific groups, like a youth program, or residents of the neighborhood.
Lansing - East

Holmes Street Garden*
Potter-Walsh*

Prospect Place
Pocket of Peace
Lansing - West
Capital City Vineyard

Northpointe*

Edgewood Village

Looking Glass
Lansing - South

Northwind*

A Garden of Grace*

Spartan Village

Cavanaugh Park*

Cedarbrook*
Old Town Community*
Haslett

Pinebrook Manor

Delta Presbyterian

Salvation Army*

MLK Garden*

Somerset Apartments

Old Oakland*

South Lansing
Christian Church

Der Happy Hollow*
& new Roots Garden*

Eden Church Garden*

Mason Comm. Garden*

Leslie Congregational

Grange Acres

Marsh Pointe
Meridian Twp.
 St.Casimir Moore’s Park*
Mason & Leslie
Dewitt


 Learning Leaves Garden*

East Lansing
Lansing - North

Okemos International

Wardcliff Garden*

St. David’s
Episcopal Church

Summer Place
Apartments

Tithe Baptist Church


Village Summit

Delta River Township

Hawk Valley*

St. Stephens-Coronado
St. Johns

Gardens of Scott Road*

St. John-Ovid
Masonic Lodge*
Grand Ledge
 Grand Ledge Community
Holt
Holt Presbyterian*
Rainbow Homes
*denotes garden is
open to the public &
welcomes your involvement
Use the registration page included in this newsletter
to sign up for any of the 16 following gardens!
 Airport Garden (2027 W. State Rd., 48906) Plenty of space & tools on site. Water source - pump
 Armory (626 Marshall St., 48912)
Fills up fast! Has an organic section & tools on site.
Water source - hose (water fee additional)
 Clifford Park (550 E. Mt. Hope Ave., 48910) Fills up fast! Has an organic section & tools on site.
Water source - barrels
 ELF (804 Clyde St., 48915)
Small, all organic garden. Tools on site. Water source - barrels
 Foster (2325 Marcus St., 48912)
Located right by Resource Center! Water source - barrels
 Grace Lutheran (528 N. MLK Jr., 48915)
Tools on site. Water source - barrels
 Letts (1220 W. Kalamazoo St. 48915)
Tools on site. Water source - barrels
 Lilac (1260 Lilac St., 48823)
Plenty of space! Has an organic section. Water source - barrels
 North School (333 E. Miller Rd., 48911)
Spacious garden on the south side. Water source - barrels
 Orchard Court (5745 Orchard Ct., 48911) Many of the gardeners live nearby. Water source - barrels
 Otto School (500 E. Thomas St., 48906)
Great for north side residents! Water source - barrels
 Paradise (550 S. Foster Ave., 48912)
Located right by Resource Center! Water source - barrels
 Pine & St. Joe (522 W. St. Joe., 48933)
Located downtown! Water source - barrels
 Risdale (2400 Reo Rd., 48911)
Fills up fast! Has tools on site. Water source - hose
 Slater Park (2701 Hopkins Ave., 48912)
All organic garden. Has tools on site. Water source - barrels
 Towar (6370 Towar Ave., 48823)
Plenty of space! Has an organic, no-till section. Water source - pump
Community Garden
Guidelines
www.GreaterLansingFoodBank.org
(517) 853-7809
Please read before signing the registration page.
To be eligible for a plot you must agree to the community garden guidelines listed below & pay your plot fee.
If you are a returning gardener, you must submit this registration by April 17th to reserve your same plot.
Keep this page for your records.
Community Garden Guidelines



Plant your garden within 2 weeks of plot assignment.
Control weeds, and keep your plot weeded throughout the
summer, including the paths bordering plot.
Do not leave trash or plastic plant containers & trays at gardens.
Keep your garden trash-free throughout the season. At the end of
the season, remove all string, stakes, fencing, trash, and other
man-made objects.
Do not harvest from anyone else's plot without their
permission in advance. Violation of this agreement will result
in loss of your plot and termination of present and future
Garden Project privileges and services. Please report any
vandalism, theft, or unusual behavior to your site
coordinator(s) and/or the Garden Project office.

Respect other’s plots. Do not walk in them unless invited.

If you are gardening in an organic section, you are to follow the
NOP (National Organic Program) Guidelines. No synthetic
chemicals (i.e. pesticides, fertilizers, MiracleGro, etc.) may be
used. We highly discourage synthetic chemicals in any plot.

Dogs are not permitted in the garden area
unless assisting the disabled.

Follow any rules specific to your garden.

You may risk losing your gardening privileges for the next year if
you do not return borrowed tools, and/or abandon your plot
without notice and/or your plot is not cleaned up by the autumn
deadline. If you do not harvest your vegetables in a timely
manner we reserve the right to authorize harvesting and to donate
the crops to the food bank.
Community Garden Plot Fee
Plot fee is due with this application.
You are asked to pay a plot fee
which is spent directly
on garden improvements.
We are a non-profit organization.
Thank you for your generosity in
paying what you are able.
Suggested plot fees:
Very low or low income: $10-15 per plot
Moderate income: $20-25 per plot
Market value: $30-50 per plot
 I attached my check
to my registration form.
(Check should be payable to “The Garden Project”.)
 I paid by phone. (517) 853-7809
If the fee places too much of a
financial burden on you,
please contact the Garden Project
for a plot fee waiver.
Waiver and Release of Liability
In consideration of gardening within the network of Garden Project of the Greater Lansing Food Bank gardens, hereinafter
referred to as GLFB, I hereby acknowledge that there may be certain risks of injury involved and I knowingly and freely assume all
such risks and assume full responsibility for my participation. I agree to indemnify, save, and hold harmless GLFB, its employees,
agents, representatives, affiliates, and volunteers of any loss, claim, damage, injury, illness, costs, or harm of any kind or nature to
me arising out of any and all activities associated which may occur or be incident to my involvement or participation with GLFB.
2015 Registration
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY.
Use one form per household.
www.GreaterLansingFoodBank.org
(517) 853-7809
Name(s):________________________________________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________________________________
City:________________________________________________ State:___________
ZIP code:________________
Organization (optional):____________________________________________________________________________
County: Ingham Eaton
Clinton Gratiot Shiawassee Clare
Home Phone:_______________________________
Isabella Other:_________
Alternative Phone:__________________________________
Email:__________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL GARDENERS: The information below will remain confidential. It is used for statistical purposes only in order to fund the Garden Project.
How many persons live in your household? _____
With or without children, my household is a...
single female
single male
couple
Annual gross household income (of all persons over 18):
____$0-23,100
____$38,251-40,900
____$23,101-26,400
____$40,901-43,500
African, African American
Asian
____$26,401-29,700
____$43,501-47,450
Hispanic
Native American
____$29,701-32,950
____$47,451-52,700
White
Other
____$32,951-35,600
____$52,701-56,950
____$35,601-38,250
____$56,951 or more
CLEARLY MARK (X) BELOW
in which garden
you want a plot:
_____Airport
_____Armory
_____Clifford Park
_____ELF
_____Foster
_____Grace Lutheran
_____Letts
_____Lilac
_____North School
_____Orchard Court
_____Otto
_____Paradise
_____Pine & St. Joe
_____Risdale
_____Slater Park
_____Towar
___________________
Household Racial/Ethnic Group(s):
N/A
Are/Were you a refugee? Yes
No # of Years in U.S. _______
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Note: We only register the gardens listed on the left.
Many other gardens, which are part of our network, do not use this registration form.
For info on the other gardens, please check our website or call (517) 853-7809.
Our average community garden plot size is 25’x25’.
If available, do you want an extra plot?
 No
 Yes — In which garden? (from list in the left/shaded box)
__________________________________
(Experienced gardeners only, please.)
 Yes
 No
Do you garden organically, following organic standards?  Yes
 No
If available, would you prefer a half plot?
HOME GARDEN SUPPORT
- Income Eligible Only -
(plants, seeds, tools, etc. are only to be used at community garden plots and at income-eligible home gardens)
Would you like to receive home garden services?
 Yes
 No
(seeds, plants, tool library)
What is the size of your home garden? (Ex. 20’x20’)
___________________________________
SIGN BELOW AFTER READING ATTACHED GUIDELINES AND WAIVER & RELEASE OF LIABILITY
I have read and agree with the Garden Project Guidelines. _______________________________________
2015 Pre-Season Gardener Survey
Completing this survey will help us improve our services and report to those who provide our funding.
This survey is confidential. Results will be made anonymous by Garden Project staff before reporting.
How many years have you been gardening? _____________
My age is: ____________
I have been using the Garden Project’s services for:  this is my 1st year
 1 year
What will you do with your produce? (Check all that apply)  eat fresh
 give away
 can
 sell
In my household, I/we…
 2-5 years
 6+ years
 freeze
 dry
 Other_____________
 have enough food to eat
 have enough food to eat, but not always enough fresh fruits and vegetables
 sometimes do not have enough food to eat
 often or usually do not have enough food to eat
What do you plan to grow this year?
__________________________________________________________________________________________ _____
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
What are the top 3 reasons you garden? (Check 3)
 grow food for family  grow food for donation
 community/neighborhood engagement
 exercise
 community/neighborhood beautification
 mental well-being
 Other___________________________
 just to be outside
What Garden Project services will you use in 2015? (Check all that apply.)
Visit the Resource Center for plants and/or seeds
Attend a 3rd Thursday Potluck
 Borrow tools
 Participate in a workshop
 Seek garden advice from a GP staff member or volunteer garden leader
 Other:__________________________
Do you have resources/talents/skills to offer our greater Garden Project community?
If so, please provide us with that info so that we may contact you in the future. Thanks in advance!
(A few examples are: time (we rely heavily on volunteers to staff the Resource Center),
compost hauling, grant writing, teaching skills, carpentry, etc.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
GP STAFF ONLY:
DATE PD:__________
AMT PD:__________
FORM PD:__________
STAFF R’CVD PMT:_____________
WORKSHOPS,
CLASSES,
&
EVENTS
New to Gardening? Join us for a
GROW- A- ROW Workshop
GARDEN 101 WORKSHOP!
Learn how to connect with
local pantries to share your
extra garden produce, what
varieties are most needed
& what is easiest to grow.
APRIL 8th @ 7pm:
Haslett Public Library
APRIL 14th @ 6:30: Webberville Public Library
APRIL 28th @ 5:30: Stockbridge Public Library
GARDEN PROJECT 3rd THURSDAY POTLUCKS & GARDEN WALKS
6-7:30pm on the 3rd Thursday of every month
from May - September
Bring a dish & share in a wonderful meal!
Each month is hosted at different garden:
May 21:
June 18:
July 16:
August 20:
September 17:
Q
Webster Farm in south Lansing
Clifford Park off Mt. Hope
Resource Center in Foster Park
Riddle Elementary School on the Westside
End of the Season Harvest Potluck (location TBD)
“How do I know
when the garden
will be ready?”
A
“Check your soil
to see if it’s dry
enough...”
FOR MORE, VISIT:
LETS
GARDEN
LANSING
WWW.
.ORG
Whether you plan to turn your soil with a hand tool,
or till with a rototiller or tractor,
first make sure your soil is ready with this easy test:
1) Put a shovel all the way into the soil and dig up some dirt.
2) Make a ball in your hand. Squeeze gently with your fingers.


&
May 13th, 7-8pm
at Haslett Public Library

If soil stays clumped, it is TOO WET.
If it breaks up easily & crumbles,
the soil should be dry enough for any tilling.
Cultivating with hand tools can allow you to
skip rototilling altogether, especially with
frequent additions of compost.
Remember, community gardeners may request an untilled plot.
Lansing Roots Multi-Grower CSA
In the end,
there is
really
nothing
more
important
than
taking
care of
Sign Up Now for a Weekly Produce Subscription!
Lansing Roots
Lansing Roots fosters a direct partnership between local
Begins Our
farmers & local consumers with a weekly produce box that
Third Year!
provides fresh, healthy and delicious produce for
We continue to help
20 consecutive weeks from mid-June through October.
beginning farmers build
small-scale farm
New this year, pick from two size options!
businesses by providing
access to land, training, Support beginning farmers. Build community. Choose better health.
equipment, technical
For more info or to sign up for the CSA,
assistance & marketing.
Thank YOU for your
contact Jill Plesko at (517)853-7812 or [email protected]
ongoing support!
or visit www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org
the
earth &
letting it
take
care of
you.
- Charles Scott
Greater Lansing Food Bank
The Garden Project
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT # 793
LANSING, MI
Growing Healthy Food,
Cultivating Connections
P.O. Box 16224
Lansing, MI 48901
PHONE (517) 853-7809
FAX (517) 853-7817
[email protected]
www.GreaterLansingFoodBank.org
Garden Project Wish List:
 Your financial donations are tax — deductible.
 Please share this list with others who may want to help.
 Any size donation is greatly appreciated!
If you have materials to donate from the list ,
please contact us at:
[email protected]
Garden Equipment
Services
Garden Tools (Hoes,
Rakes, Shovels, etc.)
Garden Expertise
& Mentoring
Drills (corded or cordless)
Trucking, 5+ yard
capabilities for compost
& debris hauling
(free or heavily reduced fee)
Wheelbarrows
Compost Buckets/
Composter
Small Engine Equipment
(lawn mowers, weedwhip)
Volunteers at the
Resource Center
Extras
Lumber
Extra Plant Starts
with item, quantity & your contact information
Canning Jars and Coolers
or call (517)853-7809.
Large, plastic bins with lids, 40+ quart