Garden Preparation
Prior to sowing, it is a good idea to add organics to the soil in the form of compost. However, it is preferred to add compost at least a month prior to planting. The City is suggesting that plot holders wait until September 1st to begin planting. This will allow the organics that have been tilled under to finish decomposing, and the soil to settle as well. Another good organic to add to a garden is certain animal manures preferably from herbivores such as horses, cows, goats and rabbits. However, there are commercially available composts made from bat and chicken guano. In the community garden the use of manures are forbidden unless it is commercially sold and packaged as being completely composted. Composting breaks down any parasites, pathogens, larvae and weed seeds that may be in raw manure, assuring its safety to be used with food crops for human consumption. As the community garden is organic, the use of inorganic fertilizers in also forbidden, in which case composts and composted manures may be the best method to fertilize crops. Several types of composts and composted manures are available at local garden and hardware stores.

Garden Pests
Probably the biggest problem that gardeners will face in the community garden setting is insect pests. Again we must reiterate that the garden is organic, therefore no pesticides may be used unless they are rated for organic food use. An effective organic pesticide that is widely available is Neem Oil. Neem Oil is used as both a pesticide and a fungicide in organic gardening. It too can be found at local garden and hardware stores. In the setting of a community garden where everyone’s plots are in close proximity, we ask that plot holders be considerate to their neighbors and control any outbreaks of insect infestation quickly so as to limit it’s spread throughout the garden. Most of the time infestations can be prevented by simply walking through the plot regularly and manually removing any pests.

Winter Garden Fruits and Vegatables
Autumn is almost at an end, with winter fast on it's heels.  It's not too late to prepare and/or plant cool season fruits and vegetables.  November is as late as you would want to wait to plant Brussel Sprouts, but Cauliflower can be planted into January, and Carrots and Lettuce can be planted all the way up to March!  Following the holidays, January signals planting for Potatoes, Tomatoes, Watermelon, and Peppers. Finally in February there is Cantaloupe and Sweet Potatoes to be sown.  The best part of gardening in these cooler months is that weed growth slows down, and they are easier to keep up with.

Organic Garden Pest Control
For those pests that cannot be controlled manually, there are some great organic pesticides available.  The best tip I recently recieved was the use of used coffee grounds to eliminate red ants.  Furthermore, Starbucks coffee shops gives away their coffee grounds for free for the public to use in their gardens.  I grab the coffee grounds by the handful and sprinkle then all over the garden, they do not harm the crops or any of the beneficial insects.  For issues with leafminers I use Neem Oil, which is an oil extracted from the fruit of the Neem Tree.  This oil is excellent for controlling scale, mites and leafminer and it also a fungicide.  Neem oil is totally non-toxic to all other animals that may inhabit your yard, and even to beneficial insects.  Neem oil can also be used prophylactically to protect crops from developing any insect issues.  The third product that is in my pest control arsenal is DiPel.  DiPel is a biological pecsicide made from a naturally occurring component called Bacillus thuringiensis which it also referred to as Bt.  And as with the Neem Oil it is non-toxic.

For any specific advice, or helpful tips that you want to share please email them to Jennifer Magavero.