Friday, May 27, 2011

Plot Assignments

Fellow gardeners,

We have plenty of plots available since the PG Stake has opted out of participating. Come this Saturday(May 28) from 8am-10am to get your plot assignments and hoses.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden Bylaws

This document in its entirety, collectively and individually, will be the determining guideline for the Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden ( PGWSG ). Any rule, regulation, guideline, or notice in relation to the PGWSG is superseded by this document.

While these guidelines are strict and will be enforced, they are written with the intent and overall goal is to help everyone in the garden community have a rewarding and safe gardening experience.

Terms:
PLOT: Refers to your specific plot assignment no matter the number of individual plots you have been assigned. Each individual plot is designated as a 10’ x 15’ area.

Soil: Refers to the ground, which is monitored by the Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden Committee, on which you plant your seeds.

Water: Refers to the water supplied by the Stake through the pump that travels through main lines [ laterals ] and is then distributed to each individual plot by means of a shut-off valve.

Regulations:
Weeds: It is the individuals responsibility to maintain the weeds and all plant growth of their PLOT. Individuals who do not maintain their weeds will be notified and asked to do better at weed control in their PLOT. Debris from your PLOT [ alfalfa roots, ect..] will be put in the walking areas.

Plot Maintenance: Individuals will be in charge of ensuring their ropes, strings, and other material used to “fence off” their PLOT is secured in such a way as to not interfere with other PLOTS. Rocks, Stakes, Windmills, Gnomes, and any other decorative material will be removed at the end of the garden season. Any material left in the garden PLOT will become the property of the Stake and be distributed the following season.

Plot Abandonment: If after multiple contacts, which will be recorded accurately by the committee, an individual is not able to be contacted in regards to their PLOT, that PLOT will be acquired by the Stake Garden and redistributed. If an individual who has requested a PLOT does not contact the Stake Garden Committee by June 1st 2011 – the PLOT will be acquired by the Stake and be redistributed at that time.

Bartering: Individuals are free to barter or trade any or all of their harvest to other individuals. If an individual is not able to contact an individual about their PLOT they can send an email to wetworksmedia1@gmail.com with the subject as “Barter” [ ex: “I am at B5 and I would like to trade my Tomatoes for the Bell Peppers on D12” ]. Do NOT steal others produce.

Water: Individuals are responsible for the watering of their PLOT as it related to the control valve provided on each individual PLOT. If you do not want an individual PLOT to be watered - turn it to the OFF position. If you want it to be watered – turn it to the ON position. If no hose is attached to your plot we ask that you turn it to the OFF position. Individuals are to provide their own means of self-watering if they feel their garden required more water than has been provided. There are used watering cans near the pump area. If you do use one of these cans be sure to place it back so that all may benefit from them.

Separate Watering Hoses: A connection to the main line is provided along flagged areas of the main watering line. If an individual attaches a watering hose we ask that they roll it up, turn it OFF, and put it back to keep the walkways safe for everyone. This is a separate hose apart from the drip lines.



Tools: Individuals are expected to provide their own tools [ Shovel, hoe, rake, ect... ] in order to maintain their PLOT. There are used tools located at the pump hose and if used we asked that you put them back so that other may benefit from their use.


Pets: Pets are welcome in the Stake Garden Area. Please be responsible with your pets and what they might leave behind. Also be mindful that there are local animals that live off the land and any interaction your pets might have with them.

Personal Items: The Stake Garden Committee is not responsible for lost items in the garden area. It is a large area and if you're not careful then it's easy to lose track of where you might have placed something. Likewise, it is not OK to "borrow" tools from other gardeners without their permission.

Driving: It is not recommended nor are you permitted to drive into the garden area without approval by the Stake Garden Committee. We are borrowing the land from the farmer who owns it and wouldn't want to take away from his crop by damaging it with our automobiles. If you have a need to place a large amount of soil amendment or masonry to your garden plot you are asked to get approval with the committee first. The Stake Garden Committee is not responsible for damage that might happen to your vehicle or any extension of the vehicle while in the Stake Garden area.


Local Animals: There are horses and cows and other animals that are in fields adjacent to the garden area. Please be cautious when feeding them and do not go over the fence to play with them - especially the spotted cow. He's quite friendly and when he gets excited then those horns might be the start of a bad day for ya.

Curfew
: There are varmints, cats, birds, gophers, dear and other animals that live in the area. It might be a little surprising for you and them to run into each other after the sun goes down. Please try to have your garden business done before it gets dark.

This document was rewritten on 5/21/2011 and will be enforced by the Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden Committee.

This document may be amended by the Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden Committee and any revision or amendment will be sent out per the email individuals provided at the time of signing up for their PLOT.

The Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden Committee


BLOG: http://pleasantgroveweststakegarden.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

More Plot Sign Ups

This Saturday, May 20th, we will have another day to sign up for plots. 9-10am

If you can not make it Saturday please email Brother Hamilton at wetworksmedia1@gmail.com or Mandi at mandilee82@gmail.com for a plot assignment.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Plot Sign Ups

May 14th 8am-9am plot sign ups. At 9am there will be a gardening class.

We know there are a ton of questions about the plots and how the garden works so hopefully we can answer those questions:

How much do I need to know to be a successful gardener?
Nothing. I picked out two thumb size onions from the ground on Saturday. They were quite good. Just water, seeds, soil, and faith, patience, and a little work can go far in doing well with any garden. Sure you can get really specific on which type of plant is best, pest control, different styles of watering, and whatnot but you have to if you don't want too.


I signed up for a plot but haven't claimed it, what do I do?
Come to the plot sign up @ 8am on May 14th. If you signed up for a plot then you will get that many plots.

I heard there are not plots left, is that true?
No, If you signed up for a plot - you have what is on our sign up sheets. For those not on the sign up sheet and/or those that want more plots you will be added to a waiting list. Once all everyone has claimed their plots the extra will be divided out among those on the waiting list.

How much each type of hose will cost?
The plots are $20.00 for the "S" Style hose [ just one long hose ]. It is $27.00 for the "line" style hose. The line style includes more fittings and more hose. Each style comes with line end caps and hose staples.
Important note: We have a few rolls of hose from last year. Once that is used up the price will go up a little, not much, but a little.

Does my plot cost money?
No each plot is 10' x 15' and come with a fitting to attach the main line. The land is your to use for FREE. The water is FREE. The only thing you need to pay for is the hose, and a bit of work to set it up and the usual maintenance that comes with gardening.

How much is a plot and will is cost if I don't need hoses (as-in is it free?)
If you had a garden last year, and left your hose, then you may grab a hose for your garden this year. If you kept your hose from last year you will NOT need to pay for hose for those plot which you already have hose
NOTE: if you are using a used hose from last year then it is recommended to flush your line by running it for a bit without the end capped. Then capping the end and checking to make sure that all the drip holes are dripping in your hose.

Are the hoses assembled into kits with the t-s and on and off valves?
YES. we will be making the 'kits' this week. Each "S" and "LINE" kit comes with all you need to set up each plot of that type.

Who and How do we pay?
Checks are made payable to "Pleasant Grove West Stake". Payment will go to myself or one of the committee members [ probably Mandi since she is spearheading the plot assignments this year ]. We are allowed to accept cash and checks. Once the funds are received they are then taken directly to the Stake Presidency and added to the Pleasant Grove West Stake Garden funds.

When can we plant?
The short answer is right away. Water was running Saturday and we will be getting rain throughout this week. You should also take into account that the last frost of spring was May 24th last year. So be cautious in what you plant. If you have specific questions about that then it would be best to wait till the q&a at the garden class this Saturday so that all may benefit from your question and the answer to it. We will try to watch the weather closely and keep you up to date if it looks like a frost/snow might be coming.

WATER:How does it work?
There is a main valve on each plot. When you turn it on water comes out via pressure from the line and drips from your hose every 18" or so. The brown hose we use is sometimes called a Drip Line because it drips the water out. a "Soaker Hose" sometimes used in flower beds has a similar goal in mind - apply water directly to the ground where the plants are growing.

How often will the plots be watered?
The system will be set up on a timer and each plot will be watered at set intervals. Because we moved the lines the timing will be different than last year so when we have the specific times we'll be sure to tell everyone.

Can i get water from another place besides my line?
Yes, there will be a host connected to the pump house that you can turn on when needed. There are 4 watering can left over from last year that anyone can use. Please put back the hose, and watering can when your done using them so that others don't have to try to find them.

If you have a question that has not been answered in this email it would be best to come to the meeting this Saturday and attend the class and ask your question there so then everyone can benefit from your question and the answer to it.