Weekly Garden Work Days:
We are now meeting Wednesdays from 6:00 am – 7:30 am.*
Monthly Garden Work Days –
Saturdays – usually 3rd Saturday, from 6:00 – 8:00am *
Volunteers should bring garden gloves and a water bottle with them on garden work days.
*In case of rain or stormy conditions, garden work days may be postponed to another time.
About the Giving Garden
A little history…
In 2017, when Dayspring needed to expand parking – and black top – someone had a green idea: use some of the space for a recreation area (i.e. volleyball court and picnic tables) and some for a garden. That idea has expanded to 27 4×8 foot raised beds, most of which are leased to individual gardeners.
The garden’s team of volunteers has grown in number and skill as well. In 2018, Chris Lueck became a Master Gardener; her expertise and her connection with the Maricopa Community Garden help the GG stay up-to-date with information regarding soil protection, plant propagation, irrigation, and insects.
The volunteer team meets every Wednesday morning to manage the garden and help answer bed gardeners’ questions. Throughout the rest of the year, we’ll introduce you to team members who’ll share their garden philosophies and tips. We hope their words may encourage you to garden and possibly to join us on Wednesday mornings or for garden talks.
“A healthy garden depends on healthy soil,” Chris says. Adding compost to your garden is essential each time you plant:
- It loosens the soil texture (which is especially important in our area, where the soil is mainly sand and/or clay).
- It provides organic matter that nurtures plants.
- It improves water retention for plant roots and makes irrigation more efficient.
After a season of watering plants, the healthy organic matter breaks down and needs to be replaced. In the Giving Garden we amend our gardens twice a year – before planting in the spring and fall.
Here are some additional information from the Maricopa County Extension extension.Arizona.edu:
Vegetable Planting Calendar for Maricopa County:extension.arizona.edu/pubs/vegetable-planting-calendar-maricopa-county
Ten Steps to a Successful Vegetable Garden: extension.arizona.edu/pubs/ten-steps-successful-vegetable-garden
~Mary VanderMeer