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Airport
Airport Garden is located within the grounds of Ann Arbor's airport, to the south of the runways and north of the woods. Enter the garden via the gravel road off the west side of S. State Rd., approximately half a mile south of Ellsworth Road and just beyond the private hangars. A Project Grow sign denotes the proper entry way.  This is the only entrance permitted to gardeners.  DO NOT enter the garden through any other means, especially not the airport or runways--this is very, very dangerous. Please lock the gate behind you. FAA regulations stipulate that this gate always remain locked. Follow the sign and pump stations to the garden area.

SITE COORDINATOR: David Rosenberg, email address is massage4@aol.com

SOIL: Texture is called organic; pH is 7.0.  The soil at Airport is considered to be the richest of all the garden sites.  It is black, deep, and rock-free, which makes it especially excellent for growing root vegetables. However, it does tend to dry out quickly, so a thick layer of mulch is highly recommended.  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:  Care needs to be taken to rid the garden of comfrey, a great source of nitrogen, but a menace otherwise. The garden is also sited in a particularly low-lying area of Ann Arbor, which can delay spring planting or threaten fall crops.  However, the rich soil makes up for these drawbacks.

Get map of Garden here

INDIVIDUAL PLOT MAINTENANCE:  All gardeners are responsible for keeping weeds down in their plots and along the adjacent pathways. Various mulches may be used in your garden to inhibit weed growth, conserve water, and promote a hospitable micro-climate for plants and worms. Marsh hay is usually available in the spring, delivered to the garden from a local grower for a reasonable fee. If interested in learning more about marsh hay deliveries or for more information about mulching, contact your site coordinator or the office.

GARDEN MAINTENANCE: The Airport maintenance people will mow the perimeters of the garden only if we keep the area free from organic refuse and other debris and stones. Project Grow does not provide trash service. Please take home all paper, plastic, and other non bio-degradable material. Help make the gardens beautiful this summer by maintaining your own plot and keeping the gardens free from debris, etc. Finally, we can always use a hand mowing the central garden path. Garden workparties will be held to carry out regular garden maintenance.

WATER: An underground plastic pipe from a city-metered hydrant carries water to faucets on the central pathway. The water is turned on at the end of May and turned off around Labor Day. Please try to conserve water by mulching well and watering only when necessary. If you spot a leak in the hoselines, either make the repairs yourself or notify the site coordinator.  Please do not just ignore it, so that water is wasted.

TOOLS: A supply of tools is kept in the shed; the key is kept under a brick near the entrance of the shed in a plastic container. Always return tools to the shed after use. If you have any tools that you wish to donate to the garden, feel free to put them in the shed and then notify the office.

WARNINGS/PROBLEMS:  The Airport is low and open, making it susceptible to late spring and early fall frosts. Plant warm season crops like tomatoes and peppers after June 1. Never touch or climb on the airplanes and do not walk or drive on the runways.

ANIMALS:  Woodchucks and other animals will visit this garden, as will the occasional deer.  However, they have not been a serious problem, so that few of the gardeners put up fencing. If you do fence, we recommend black or green plastic or wire fencing (remember to remove this at the end of the season!). For the best results, bury the fence 8" below ground and bend it away from the garden to stop animals digging underneath.

COMMUNICATIONS:  We post notices about upcoming events or garden news on the side of the shed. Watch for these notices and feel free to make announcements regarding garden business yourself. In recent years, we have also used the garden group email list to make important announcements.  If you have not already notified us of your email address, let us know right away, so you can be included in the mailings! Finally, newsletters will also contain important information about upcoming projects and events.

ABANDONED PLOTS:  Plots that have not been seriously gardened by May 31st or are overgrown with weeds taller than 1 1/2' at any point in the season will be considered abandoned and may be reassigned. Contact your site coordinator or the office if you are having problems getting started or if you have to abandon your plot.

FALL CLEAN UP:  Your plot must be cleared no later than the end of the day on Saturday, October 16th. Non-diseased organic material may be chopped up into 1-foot lengths and spread evenly across your plot; diseased plants of any variety and all tomato plants should be removed from the gardens and disposed of at home.  Take home all non-organic material (i.e., fences, stakes, plastic, etc.). Failure to clean up your plot according to the guidelines set forth in the Gardening Agreement may result in expulsion from the garden.

Moving?  Tell us! We mail out notices during the year, and they are not forwarded (third class mail).

Airport Community Garden Work Party Schedule

2010

May Work Party –Sunday, 5/16, from 3-5pm. 

This will also be a potluck to welcome gardeners.

June Work Party  - Wednesday, 6/16, from 6-8pm

July Work Party – Sunday, 7/18, from 10-12 noon

August Work Party - Wednesday, 8/18, from 6-8pm

September Work Party – Sunday, 9/19, from 3-5pm

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