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Greenview
October 29, 2023
Wines 
October 29, 2023
Greenview
October 29, 2023
Wines 
October 29, 2023
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GARDEN SITES

West Park 

The Garden

Project Grow's West Park garden was created when the park was fully refurbished in 2011.  The West Park Garden consists of 13 half-sized plots and is located at the east end of West Park and accessed from the parking lot off of Chapin Street.

Apply for a plot
13

Annual Half Plots

Plot Information

Plot Size

Plot sizes are half-size (25’ x 15’ or ~375 square feet).
View Map of Garden Plots

Animals/Pests

Woodchucks, deer and other animals will visit this garden. West Park has two sections of garden plots, each one has a wire perimeter fence. The gardeners all volunteer time to put up and take down this fence annually.

Rocks

Please pile rocks at the back of your plot so that they can be moved prior to fall plowing.

Communication

Expect a few e-mails asking you to help out with volunteer tasks. If you have not already notified us of your email address, let us know right away! The monthly Project Grow newsletters will also contain important information about upcoming projects and events.

Soil

Most of the garden is on top of an old gravel parking lot and the soil is stony and compacted. About 100 yards of soil and compost were added to the garden in the first few years.

The gardeners with the most success at West Park build raised beds and continue to add compost and remove rocks.

Water

Water is delivered by a water line, installed by Project Grow, connected to the same water source as the nearby drinking fountain. Please conserve water by mulching well and watering only when necessary.

Watering of gardens is never to be unattended; hose timers are prohibited.

Composting

Any organic waste generated during the growing season may be tilled into the soil, or taken home for composting by the city. However, diseased plants should always be removed from the site, to minimize the presence of pathogens in the gardens. Do NOT dispose of weeds or other material anywhere outside of your garden plot.

Hay, Woodchips, Topsoil or Compost

Any materials brought or delivered to the site should be spread on the garden plots within a reasonable amount of time. 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 Project Grow office.

Tools

Currently this site has no tool storage. A limited number of tools are supplied at this site. Gardeners will want to bring their own small hand tools.

Gardener Comments and Suggestions

Great site, easy to walk to. Help keep the aisles clear by wedding your fence lines. Mulching kept the weeds at bay.
This situation is perhaps unique to me and interesting to note! I didn't suspect that gardening at the west park gardens would be as interactive with the basketball players as it was. Some interactions were very positive. In general West Park is very visible and a thruway for pedestrians on the west side.

Location

West Park 

215 Chapin Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Monday - Sunday
Dawn to Dusk

Maintenance

Garden Maintenance

To achieve a garden site that fits well into the existing park surroundings, efforts are to be made to achieve an aesthetically pleasing garden site. Please help make the gardens beautiful this summer by maintaining your own plot and keeping the gardens free from debris, etc.

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 a garden to inhibit weed growth, conserve water, and promote a hospitable micro-climate for plants and worms. Any non-organic mulch (black plastic, etc.) should be covered with an organic mulch.

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 in the fall. Take home all non-organic material, such as fences, stakes, plastic, or paper, as well as any diseased plants.  The goal is to have a site that is clear of any evidence of gardening, except for the tilled area.  Failure to clean up your plot according to the guidelines set forth in the Member Handbook may result in expulsion from the garden.

Site Coordinator

Rebecca Gatward

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