PLEASE NOTE: As of Sept. 2011 gardening operations are on hold. Please check back frequently for updates.
How We Operate
Visitors and prospective gardeners are welcome to visit! The gardens are generally open on Sunday mornings so feel free to stop by. We formally meet the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in The Salvation Army Community Center adjacent to the gardens for a potluck dinner where we socialize, exchange ideas for future projects, and plan for that month's workday. Visitors and prospective gardeners are also welcome to join us at the potluck dinner.
One Saturday morning every month (usually the Saturday following the formal meeting) is the designated group workday when we meet in the gardens to work on overall projects for a couple of hours to fulfill our monthly volunteer time and maintain the gardens. Work would include tending the common areas, mowing, weeding the paths, building the compost piles, pruning trees, caring for tools and equipment, repairing fences, etc.
A couple of times a year we have special events, such as our annual birthday party that might feature food and plant sales, a raffle, local musicians, and compost demonstrations. In the summer we have a booth at the downtown Austin Farmer's Market where we sell produce from our gardens to raise money for operating expenses.
Here's a map showing how to get to the gardens.
Applying for a plot Individual plots are occasionally available. To reserve a plot, stop by the gardens and fill out an application form which can be found in a red notebook in the mailbox at the front gate (or download a copy here plot application forms). You will be put on the waiting list (by date of application) and contacted to let you know if/when a plot is available. To acquaint new and prospective 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. Please do not leave bags of leaves (or other material) outside the fence. 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:
(no plots are available at this time - updated 9/9/11)
plot map
plot rental agreement
gardening guidelines
work coordinators
and composting guide.