Let's Hear Your Voice!

After establishing locations either public areas of land or private lots, I think the next thing the group should decide on is a purpose and objective that puts everybody on the same page. To me, I think the gardening project should be an opportunity to develop stronger community connections with neighbors through a common activity where contributors reap the fruits of their labor.

The community garden project should follow a few simple rules:

• Pesticide Free – Chemicals cost a lot money ruin tasty veggies
• Locally Supported – Growers and volunteers are expected to seed, weed, and maintain their area regularly.
• Locally Consumed – Residents capable of growing food, but choose not to should read the story of the Little Red Hen
• Sharing is Caring – Growers are encouraged to donate what they deem as appropriate to residents that are incapable of gardening.
• Encourage all Omaha Residents to Contribute – The community garden project should not be exclusive to Dundee. The project will be inclusive to anybody interested in gardening.

Local garden resources need to be considered. After selecting potential garden sites, I recommend utilizing the Douglas County extension office to help test the soil for lead. If the prospective locations have lead contamination, plant flowers or find resources to replace the contaminated soil. If there is enough momentum and interest with this project, I think we should work with a local nursery to be a plant provider. A partnership with a nursery such as Saddle Creek Nursery may provide better pricing for seeds as well as tools. Besides seeds, the gardens need to have tools and materials to work the land. Volunteers will need to consider sharing/contributing the following tools:

• Shovels
• Hoes
• Fencing and Fence Posts
• Rakes
• Hoses
• Tomato and Pepper Cages
• Compost Bins
• Rototiller

A timeline also needs to be established and volunteers need assignments to complete tasks. This can be managed with a shared spreadsheet via Google Docs.

Additional considerations that need to be investigated include:

• Legal
• Liability Concerns. Ensure that volunteers are not punished for wanting to help make the community a better place.
• Lead Testing & Soil Replacement
• Permission
  Asking for permission from the city to potentially plant in public parks
  Asking for permission from homeowners and ensuring their land will be properly taken care of.
• Mischief
  How to decrease risk the gardens are not vandalized and tools are not stolen.
• Locations
  Large lot east of 5018 Cass Street
  Lot on NW corner of 49th and Underwood
• What to Grow
• Beans
  Tomatoes
  Hanging Tomatoes
  Cucumbers
  Squash
  Zucchini
  Peppers
  Onions
  Basil and other herbs
  Asparagus
  Brussels Sprouts
  Potatoes
  Corn
  Flowers
• Timeline
  March – Find locations
  April – Break ground, procure seeds and materials
  May – Begin planting
  June – Maintain garden
  July – Maintain garden
  August – Maintain garden
  September – Take garden gown
  October – Take garden down
  November – Winterize garden

So…now is the time to post your comments and let you voice be heard! Send me a comment and your idea about how to improve this project! Also, let me know if you would like to contribute to the Dundee community project blog. Thanks!

James