How We Operate
The South Austin Community Gardens meets the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Salvation Army Community Center adjacent to the gardens. Visitors and prospective gardeners are welcome! We have a potluck dinner, socialize, exchange ideas for future projects, and plan for that month's workday.
One Saturday every month (usually the Saturday following the meeting) is the designated group workday when we meet at the garden to work on overall projects for a couple of hours. These projects include tending the common areas, mowing, weeding the paths, building the compost piles, pruning trees, caring for tools and equipment, and repairing fences.
A couple of times a year we have produce sales, garden parties with plant sales, raffles, compost demonstrations, and a garden market to raise money for the garden.
Check out a map showing how to get to the gardens.
Applying for a plot
Plots are occasionally available. To reserve a plot, stop by the gardens and fill out an application (forms in red notebook in the mailbox at the front gate) and you will be put on the waiting list to contact when a plot is available. To acquaint new gardeners with the way we operate, we provide a newcomer packet that includes the following PDF documents that you can download and review:
Why organic?
Gardening organically means focusing on building healthy soil which leads to healthy plants that resist disease and insect damage. Instead of using synthetic fertilizers which can burn the plants, pollute the water, and don't improve the soil in the long term, organic gardeners build fertile soil with nutritious homemade compost and other organic amendments. This feeds the soil that feeds the plants. Instead of using harmful pesticides that also kill beneficial organisms, organic gardeners attract beneficial insects to prey upon pest insects that cause damage. Also growing plants that are native or well adapted to the local environment will lead to a healthier, more productive garden. And, organically grown food is also more nutritious and healthier, especially for children.
Compost contributions
Thanks to the neighborhood for its generosity to date; however we currently have enough compost material and are not accepting donations at this time. Possibly again in the fall or winter. We will put out the sign when we are ready for more compost donations.
Wish list
The South Austin Community Gardens welcomes donations of
garden tools and items for future fundraising sales. We are in need of the following supplies and items in good condition:
plot plot map
plot rental agreement
gardening guidelines
work coordinators
and composting guide.