Backyard Buddies
Garden Ornament
My church has given several of us a wonderful opportunity to plant a garden in an unused 8,000 - 10,000 sf lot on the church property. Living in So. Cal, this is a HUGE opportunity as my entire lot isn't even that large and I'm accustomed to growing on a much smaller scale.
Many of us have read the books by Salatin, Pollan, and Kingsolver and have been mulling over the way to do this in the middle of the city. Each of us grows on a smaller scale at home and have considered the idea of a co-op with our fruit/veggies. This now gives us the opportunity to do it on a grander scale.
The idea is to plant an organic garden with crop rotations. The garden should be able to produce year round. It faces south west and measures approximately 70 - 80 ft. deep by 130 ft. or so wide. We will be getting the accurate measurements this next Saturday before the service. Those of us who grow at home will be donating from our home grown supplies as well.
The property is in zone 10 and Sunset zone 22.
The goal is to provide a means for participating church members and local needy folks to obtain and consume locally grown organic foods. A minimum of 10% will be given as a tithe to the needy or to organizations that feed the poor. The church will provide the water, but fresh produce will be available at the services for those who are not actively participating in the growing. Any freewill offerings given will be used to help pay the church back for the water and/or donated to organizations that feed the poor.
Another component that has been discussed is ongoing classes to teach others to live sustainably. I've already volunteered to instruct on raising chickens in the backyard and yogurt making (thanks MissPrissy!). Other classes will be on canning, cheese making, and organic gardening, of course.
I'd love your suggestions and any ideas for growing on a larger scale. Since this is a group project, I'd love to hear what has worked for you and/or any books or websites that you've found useful.
Many of us have read the books by Salatin, Pollan, and Kingsolver and have been mulling over the way to do this in the middle of the city. Each of us grows on a smaller scale at home and have considered the idea of a co-op with our fruit/veggies. This now gives us the opportunity to do it on a grander scale.
The idea is to plant an organic garden with crop rotations. The garden should be able to produce year round. It faces south west and measures approximately 70 - 80 ft. deep by 130 ft. or so wide. We will be getting the accurate measurements this next Saturday before the service. Those of us who grow at home will be donating from our home grown supplies as well.
The property is in zone 10 and Sunset zone 22.
The goal is to provide a means for participating church members and local needy folks to obtain and consume locally grown organic foods. A minimum of 10% will be given as a tithe to the needy or to organizations that feed the poor. The church will provide the water, but fresh produce will be available at the services for those who are not actively participating in the growing. Any freewill offerings given will be used to help pay the church back for the water and/or donated to organizations that feed the poor.
Another component that has been discussed is ongoing classes to teach others to live sustainably. I've already volunteered to instruct on raising chickens in the backyard and yogurt making (thanks MissPrissy!). Other classes will be on canning, cheese making, and organic gardening, of course.
I'd love your suggestions and any ideas for growing on a larger scale. Since this is a group project, I'd love to hear what has worked for you and/or any books or websites that you've found useful.
DH has a tractor so it's easy for us to scoop straight from the stalls and turnout into the back of a truck!
and with larger scale growing :tools but the co-op may be toughest nut to crack. At least, it would be for me 
.
