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Lakewood Elementary
October 30, 2023
Vestergaard
February 6, 2024
Lakewood Elementary
October 30, 2023
Vestergaard
February 6, 2024
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GARDEN SITES

County Farm

The Garden

The County Farm Garden is located behind the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, within the County Farm Park. Entrance is through the parking lot off of Platt Road. It is Project Grow's oldest and largest garden site with 76 annual and perennial plots plus the Discovery Garden.

Apply for a plot
76

Annual & Perennial Full Plots

24

Discovery Beds (Raised)

Plot Information

Plot Size

Plots are available as full plots (~700 sq ft), half plots (~350 sq ft) and beginner plots (~175 sq ft). Discovery beds are between 18' and 24' square feet. Because this is an old garden, all sizes are approximate and may vary
View Map of Garden Plots
View Map of Disovery Beds

Note from County

There are restroom facilities between May and October in the pavilion.

Vehicles are not allowed in the park.

Composting

Any organic waste generated during the growing season may be tilled into the soil or taken home for composting.
Diseased plants should always be removed from the site, to minimize the presence of pathogens in the gardens.
Do NOT throw weeds or compostable materials anywhere outside of your garden plot.

Soil

A Gardens: The soil is considered clay loam.
B Gardens: The soil is considered sandy loam.
Discovery Beds: The soil is considered sandy loam.

Water

Water is provided by Washtenaw County via a well. There are six spigots and a series of hoses placed throughout the gardens for gardener use. Water use should be limited to a reasonable amount and water conservation should be practiced to every extent possible. When finished watering please make sure the hose is returned to the area it was found and water turned off at the spigot. Do not leave hoses in your garden. Notify your site coordinator immediately if you find problems with a spigot or a hose.

Unattended watering and hose timers are prohibited.

While good for the garden, this water is not for drinking (non-potable).

Tools

A limited supply of tools is kept in the tool shed located ion the south side of the entrance to the Discovery Garden. You will be supplied with the combination to the shed when you are assigned a bed. Always return tools to the shed after use. Damage to equipment is inevitable; if replacements become necessary, email your site coordinator. If you have tools that you wish to donate to the garden, feel free to put them in the shed and notify your site coordinator(s).

Communication

We use a garden group email list to make important announcements. Let us know if you have additional gardeners/email addresses you would like included on the distribution list. The monthly Project Grow newsletters will also contain important information about upcoming dates, projects and events.

Location

County Farm

2230 Platt Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Monday - Sunday
Dawn to Dusk

Maintenance

Garden Maintenance

At County Farm Park, our garden's common areas are cared for by our gardeners through Community Workdays, each 3rd Saturday morning (10a-12p) during the growing season.  All gardeners at County Farm are asked to help at at least one workday event. Please pile rocks in designated areas only....rocks break mower blades! County Farm Park is a popular place.  Storing items in your plot is at your own risk.  Help make the gardens beautiful this summer by maintaining your own plot and keeping the garden free from debris, etc.

Individual Plot Maintenance

Remember that we are guests on this property. 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 contact your site coordinator.

Abandoned Plots

Plots that have not been seriously worked by June 1st or are overgrown with weeds taller than 18” at any point in the season will be considered abandoned and will be reassigned or solarized. Contact your site coordinator or the office if you are having problems getting started or if you have to abandon your plot.

Fall cleanup

Your plot must be cleared by dusk on the third Saturday in October.

Organic material may be chopped up and spread evenly across your plot, to be plowed under later in the fall.  Take home all non-organic material, i.e., fences, stakes, plastic, paper, etc. The goal is to have little evidence of the presence of Project Grow once the garden is tilled for the year.  Failure to clean up your plot according to the guidelines set forth in the Member Handbook may result in expulsion from the garden.

Site Coordinators

Scott Richardson

Mark White

For more information contact Project Grow's Managing Director at [email protected]