Two Corvallis Community Gardens

    Though we have a big garden at home, the forest around it has stretched taller each year, creating more shade, making less of it usable. Also, since it's in the foothills of the Coast Range, it's a bit cooler up here than in Corvallis. Then, symphylans (the unfair "reward" for treating your soil right) hit, requiring us to leave plots fallow each year to discourage them. Little buggers. Hence, I've had plots in community gardens in town for some of the crops that like hot weather and don't need to be harvested daily (eggplants, potatoes, storage onions, peppers, drying beans, winter squash).

Dunawi Creek community garden at peak season

  I had a plot at the Corvallis Environmental Center's  Dunawi Creek community garden at Starker Arts Park for a few years, but gave it up. The micro-climate there is different from the community garden at Calvin Presbyterian church where my current plot is. Dunawi is at the edge of town and on a hill. It gets a lot more wind in the afternoon. You can see (and feel) the weather coming from the west.



  I've had a plot at Calvin Presbyterian Church's community garden for maybe 6 or 7 years. The garden is surrounded on three sides by sidewalks and streets, absorbing and reflecting more heat than at Dunawi. And there's less wind; it's a bit more protected by buildings, though it's right across from two big, park-like open areas between two schools.
     Community gardens are like potlucks, in more ways than one. Plots are the same size and many of the same plants are found in each (tomatoes, peppers, peas, etc.), but each is very different from its neighbor. It's fascinating to see how the same "ingredients" result in a completely different plot. Some are very neat and tidy, artfully planted. Others are a messy mass, jam-packed with vegetables or flowers (or a mix). Some are choked with weeds (strongly discouraged by our faithful coordinator, Doug! And fellow gardeners who will inherit the weed seeds eventually).
      A neighborhood cat patrols the place, picking favorite sunny spots for a nap. She's a snuggle-puss sometimes, but crosses the line to biting fairly quickly. She loves to chase bugs and peruse her domain. People don't seem to bother her - she's not afraid of them, just annoyed (she is a cat, after all).
     The people are another "potluck" all together. We come in all ages, shapes, nationalities, races, personalities and humors (or not). Some like to visit with fellow gardeners, ask questions, share their bounty. Others prefer to keep to themselves. Some grow for their families and friends, others for food banks and shut-ins - or all of the above. There are several young families involved who bring their kids to "help." I'm not the only country person who has a plot in town.
     We have rules about treating others' spaces with respect, turning the water off and on, keeping our plots weeded, gently reminding poachers that community garden doesn't mean the contents are for anyone off the street. Almost everyone has arrived to find the eggplant or broccoli they were going to harvest  that day was swiped in the night. It's a bummer. So are the deer who munch their way through. They especially love peas and beans.
    Here are some photos from last week. I'll post more as the season progresses. It's amazing how the walkways shrink as the gardens grow. By August - September, for sure - it's impossible to walk through without your legs being scratched or tickled. What a beautiful a sight it is, though. So much prettier and productive than a parking lot, or even another building. Friendships are made, skills learned and literal tons of food produced on this former, grassy corner lot.

Note the wide paths and perennial plants

Note the wide paths. That will change. This is one end of my "new" neighbor's plot (she's been gardening here for a few years, but moved to this plot when the previous couple 'turned in their trowels' due to aging bodies. They grew hundreds of pounds of produce for the local soup kitchen each year.) Besides a mix of perennial and annual herbs and greens here, she has some slug traps (slugs always fall--literally--for beer!)

     

 Someone planted a long, lovely raised bed of wild camas. I look forward to meeting them and learning
more about it. Seems a good spot since it's in the shade and not suitable for most popular sun-loving plants. Maybe it's someone who belongs to the Native Plant Society.

     You can always spot a new gardener, especially in spring. After a few warm, summer-like days, they think warm weather has arrived for good and plant tomatoes, peppers, squash and other heat-loving plants without protection. Looks ok here, but they won't grow much with our cold nights. Those planted later, when the weather has settled will do better. Cold stunts--or at least severely delays--tomato development. It's a rude lesson. We've all done something similar. I planted an entire packet of tomato seeds my first year. Talk about a forest of tomatoes!

    Experienced gardener put fences around crops like these gorgeous fava beans. They're one of the favored buffet items for deer and rabbits.

    Here's some seasonal fusion. The Nusrala's spring peas next to the garlic they planted last fall. Mouthwatering to think about the dishes ahead...






      All the dark soil you see is compost from Corvallis Disposal (now Allied Waste). If you're a Corvallis resident who gives them yard debris, thanks!
      More updates to follow. In the meantime, you're welcome to stop by the garden any time. We enjoy visitors. But, please, don't take anything unless it's offered by the gardener her/himself.