Progress Update 7/24/2011

As you drive by the garden site, you can see the layout of the garden as it was measured and marked yesterday. A great team arrived nice and early to begin marking the garden in preparation for infrastructure installation. Hopefully, in the next few weeks, we'll be sending out the dates that we will begin putting in irrigation and building boxes. We have a lot of work ahead of us to be ready for a fall garden and we'll need all the help we can get!

Also, if you are interested in renting a plot, but not sure about doing by yourself, you are welcome to share the plot with someone. We have several people interested in sharing a plot and would be happy to be your matchmaker. (Hmmm, note to self, start website, www.gardenermatch.com - growing love one garden at a time.) ;)

If you have any questions or would like to download the garden application, please go to www.SouthWoodCommunityGarden.org.

Come Grow With Us!

Break out the shovels, it's time to dig!

It may have seemed a little quiet for the SouthWood Community Garden, but after taking care of waivers, permits, and other paperwork, we are now ready to officially break ground!! We received final approval from the CDD on July 14th.

Pretty soon you'll see neighbors and volunteers working hard to build SouthWood's Community Garden so that it is ready for fall planting. We'll be needing all the help we can get so please be on the lookout for work days. Whether you can stay for an hour or three, all help is very much appreciated.

Also, we've  had several questions regarding sharing plots. If you feel that a 4ftX8ft plot may be a little too big for you or you need help looking after your plot, by all means SHARE!! We'll be forming a list of people that are interested in sharing a plot and we'll be happy to be your matchmaker, providing you don't already have someone interested in sharing with you.

If you are thinking of renting a plot,  the time is now. We already have half of the plots rented and the rest will be going fast. Please go to www.southwoodcommunitygarden.org to find more information, ask questions, or download the Gardener's application/agreement.

Come Grow With Us!

Progress Update 5/30/2011

A little wind and rain couldn't keep us from having a wonderful "Groundbreaking" ceremony. No, we didn't actually break ground, but we did enjoy delicious homemade goodies, new faces, and new t-shirts :)  


Many thanks go to Nathan Ballentine, who braved the thunder, lightning, and rain to give us a great food garden seminar and Barry Brooks, CDD Supervisor and Kristen Dozier, Leon County Commissioner who came out to show their support. We have just under 20 people signed up for the garden and we anticipate filling up the 48 garden boxes well before our fall planting.


As we move into the summer we will be buying lumber, hardware, irrigation pipes and all things necessary to build the garden. We will be looking for volunteers in all areas and if you are interested, please send an email to southwoodcommunitygarden@gmail.com.


It seems that as we go through the process of getting this garden started, we encounter lots of little (and big) tasks such as getting surveys, permits, contracts, and etc... The SouthWood Community Garden Steering Committee, comprised of SouthWood neighbors, have been working hard on all these tasks and getting to know each other in the process. I can see that anyone that rents a lot in the garden will not only be given a chance to grow their own food and/or flowers, but also to find new friendships among our neighbors.  


Also, please check out our new website: SouthWoodCommunityGarden.org.  You'll find the whole SWCG story along with frequently asked questions plus an application and costs. If you have any questions, please send us an email or reach us through "Contact Us" on the website.


Come Grow With US: Tuesdays, 6:30 in  between Early's and Subway in the SouthWood Town Center.


If you've never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden.  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

Come One, Come All - Southwood Community Garden Groundbreaking!

It's time to get out our shovels and fill up the first garden box!  The Southwood Community Garden  is having a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 9:30AM - 10AM. We'll have delicious baked goods, Lucky Goat Coffee, and a short food garden seminar with The Man in Overalls (a.k.a. Nathan Ballentine).

At the groundbreaking, people will be able to sign-up for plot rental and check, find answers to all their questions, and check out our awesome site design. You'll want to sign-up as soon as possible since there will only be 45 plots available and we have a lot more people interested in renting a box. I'm sure it won't take us long to fill up the plots and put people on waiting lists.

So bring your neighbor and an empty stomach and we'll look forward to seeing you there!!

We're Approved!!!

Well everyone, the idea of a beautiful community garden in Southwood is starting to become reality. How exciting!!

At the CDD meeting this past Thursday night at the Southwood Community Center, Wayne Toothman championed our effort and we were finally given land-use approval!  Those of us that were at the meeting were ready to pull out our shovels and start digging, but we decided to save the digging for the dedication/ground-breaking ceremony on May 18th. Be on the lookout for more information. We want everyone there with us!

Our efforts will now be focused on finalizing our financial plan, planning our infrastructure, and calling on all the help we can get. Now is the time to join us at the meetings to be a part of the discussions and add your "two-cents" regarding plot rental, design and etc.

Join us at our next meeting, Tuesday, April 19th in front of Early's (if it's too hot or raining, we'll be in Subway).

"A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul." -- Sadi
Lori Finn

Southwood Community Garden site plan and Q&A

Hi Everyone!

I thought you may be interested in taking a look at our current site plan. This community garden may differ from ones you have seen before because of the level of design and landscaping.  The plots will be garden boxes surrounded by a butterfly garden, children's garden, white picket fence, grape arbor and etc... It will  be a great destination as well as and enhancement to our neighborhood and town center.

Also, take a look at our Q&A sheet to see if it can answer any questions you may have.

'Just living is not enough,' said the butterfly.
'One must have sunshine, freedom,
and a little flower.'
Hans Christian Andersen


Lori Finn

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomato: An heirloom tomato (also called heritage tomato in the UK) is an open-pollinated(non-hybrid) heirloom cultivar of tomato. Heirloom tomatoes have become increasingly popular and more readily available in recent years.


Heirloom tomato cultivars can be found in a wide variety of colors, shapes, flavors and sizes. Some cultivars can be prone to cracking or lack of disease resistance. As with most garden plants, cultivars can be acclimated over several gardening seasons to thrive in a geographical location through careful selection and seed saving.
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_tomato


As I was buying tomatoes for my garden this year, I saw lots of different varieties of tomatoes. I picked out several varieties such as Plum and Beefsteak tomatoes and then heirloom tomatoes that came in yellow and purple. I had always heard of heirloom tomatoes, mostly on Food Network or Martha Stewart, so I thought they must be special, but  really didn't know why they were different than "regular" tomatoes. Now I understand and I am really looking forward to watching my plants grow and produce delicious tomatoes.