WELCOME
The Larkspur California Community Garden provides Larkspur residents space in 73 small garden plots, a tool shed, a compost area and a communal orchard. This Organic garden,
located in Piper Park was established in 1982.
If you are interested in joining the garden community and if you live in Larkspur or Greenbrae, contact and sign up with the Larkspur Recreation Department.
See the Contact Us page for details.
The Larkspur California Community Garden provides Larkspur residents space in 73 small garden plots, a tool shed, a compost area and a communal orchard. This Organic garden,
located in Piper Park was established in 1982.
If you are interested in joining the garden community and if you live in Larkspur or Greenbrae, contact and sign up with the Larkspur Recreation Department.
See the Contact Us page for details.
Greeting Gardeners! September 15, 2020
The Larkspur Community garden has a spirit that is even stronger this year.
It is so obvious in our lush and bountiful gardens.
It shows in the generous amounts of donations to our Food Bank for those in need.
It shines in the smiles behind the masks and is reflected in your eyes. Yet the question remains.What about our Garden Workday ?
Here is the plan:
Instead of a Workday, we are setting aside a clearly defined Garden Work Time, (GWT), in which all garden projects will be completed. (As always, all gardeners are expected to participate per Garden Rule # 4).
Our GWT will begin today September 15th and end Saturday,October 24th.
This allows time for each gardener to be a part of our community and yet maintain safety protocols and social distancing.
How it works:
Just as at our Garden Workday meetings during normal times, each gardener volunteers for a task. This year is similar yet, slightly different:
Each gardener is invited to choose an area of participation.
Each gardener is responsible for contacting an Area Coordinator to be assigned a specific task. (see below)
Each gardener is also responsible for reporting to the Area Coordinator once the task is completed.
The Area Coordinator will assist by communicating, to each volunteer, the specific task to be done.
This can be done by email, text, telephone or in person. Which ever is most effective in each case.
Please ask any questions so there will be no misunderstandings.
Each Area Coordinator has a limited number of available openings.
Once these are filled they can not take any additional help. First come / first served. If your chosen area has no slots left, you will need to choose a different area.
The sooner everything gets done, the better. Please don’t wait until the last minute.
If by October 10th, you have not chosen a task, one will be assigned to you.
Area Coordinators:
Orchard. Katherine Jones
Compost. Paul DaSilva
West side fence. Dawniele Pasha
Fig Tree Garden. Margaret Conner
Food Bank gardens Pat Burns
Tool Shed Shelly Toccini
Tool Painters Stephen Conner
Rose Committee Jill Hutchinson
Fod Bank Jill Hutchinson
Front Gardens Stephen Conner
During these six weeks of shared work time (GWT) we all follow up with these SEVEN TASKS:
1- Weed both your garden and aisles and keep all plants in your borders - (and, if desired, plant a September/Fall garden).
2- Check for faucet leaks and any damage to wooden hose posts and borders and report needed repairs to your Garden Coordinator. Repairs are done by Public Works. (You, however, replace Your broken hoses).
3- Disconnect all watering systems from no later than October 24. (to avoid freezing problems during the winter. Any remaining plants can now be hand watered.)
4-Harvest and REMOVE all remaining TOMATO PLANTS. 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
--garden rule #4 a. "In order to prevent any widespread tomato disease within our Community Garden, and for the good of the entire garden, It is necessary and required of all gardeners to harvest and remove all tomato plants from their gardens prior to the Fall Workday gathering." -- This year, no later than October 23, 2020.
Tomatoes ripen at night when warm. The nights turn colder after October. Plants left in the garden are forgotten and will attract over-wintering diseases, insects, and rats to your garden.
There are always green tomatoes left on the vine in the fall. Don’t panic. Your tomato plants aren’t meant to last forever, so be thankful for the crop you've gotten.
Some tomatoes will ripen at home. Green fried tomatoes are delicious. Please place all debris in dumpster, - not in the compost.
5-Choose your Garden Area and contact the appropriate Area Coordinator (see above).
6- Complete task assigned.
7- Report completion to Area Coordinator (see above).
Color Gardeners, please include winterizing of your Color Garden as an additional responsibility.
“Passing The Hat”
Your monetary donations have allowed us to buy needed paint, brushes, hose washers, straw, wheelbarrow wheels and tools.
If you would like to donate this year, simple place your cash or check donation in an envelope, with my name on it. Notify me by email that you have done so.
All donations are welcome. Thank you in advance.
**********************************************
If you will be leaving our garden community, we "Thank you for growing with us.”
Please return the garden to us in the same way you received it, even better.
Completely clean your plot of everything, all weeds, all plants, stepping stones, tomato cages, wood, debris, etc... You may either accomplish this yourself or pay someone to complete it before you leave.
Do not leave anything in the tool shed. (Garden rule #3)
*********************************************
Thank you to everyone for making our garden look so beautiful and be so nourishing.
Call if you have questions.
See you in the garden,
Stephen
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please mark your calendars:GARDEN WORKDAY and POTLUCK has been cancelled.
Hello Gardeners,
In an abundance of caution, our March 21st Workday Garden Party/ Potluck has been cancelled for the first time in 38 years.
I am writing to let you know that access to the Community Garden is approved during the COVID-19 event. The garden remains open and is a good place to be outdoors.
With that said, there are stipulations to all of our gardeners:
1.Gardeners may use the garden at their own risk.
2.Please bring disinfectant wipes/hand sanitizer. Please use on your hands after entry/exit and after using Community Garden tools.
3.Please maintain social distance and wear a mask.
4.Please only bring members of your family to the garden. Please don’t bring friends or neighbors.
5.Be kind to each other. Folks may be a bit on edge.
We certainly want you to enjoy and tend your Garden plot. We want you to meet and greet your neighbors in the garden and elsewhere. Please continue to take appropriate precautions.
***********************************
Please use this time to keep your aisles “weed-free”and keep your garden area looking nice.
Realize how large your plants will grow and plant them accordingly, so they won’t grow over your borders.
Remember to organically feed the soil. Use deep mulch so you rarely need to water.
Check and report any faucet leaks and any damage to hose posts and wooden borders.
Enjoy getting your hands into the soil.
Say “Hello” to each other and be safe. We look forward to seeing you.
****************************************
This year our focus will again be to keep plants within our garden borders. Most of us like to plant alyssum, calendula, nasturtium, artichoke, zucchini, vines, roses, zinnias, geraniums, etc.. If they are planted too close to the garden’s edge they will grow over the border. *** If needed, transplant them further into your garden so you won’t have to keep cutting them back just as they grow and start to look good. Give them a wide berth to grow. Both they and you will be happier.
Thank you for all you do to make our garden work so well and look so nice.
See you in the garden,
Stephen
The Larkspur Community garden has a spirit that is even stronger this year.
It is so obvious in our lush and bountiful gardens.
It shows in the generous amounts of donations to our Food Bank for those in need.
It shines in the smiles behind the masks and is reflected in your eyes. Yet the question remains.What about our Garden Workday ?
Here is the plan:
Instead of a Workday, we are setting aside a clearly defined Garden Work Time, (GWT), in which all garden projects will be completed. (As always, all gardeners are expected to participate per Garden Rule # 4).
Our GWT will begin today September 15th and end Saturday,October 24th.
This allows time for each gardener to be a part of our community and yet maintain safety protocols and social distancing.
How it works:
Just as at our Garden Workday meetings during normal times, each gardener volunteers for a task. This year is similar yet, slightly different:
Each gardener is invited to choose an area of participation.
Each gardener is responsible for contacting an Area Coordinator to be assigned a specific task. (see below)
Each gardener is also responsible for reporting to the Area Coordinator once the task is completed.
The Area Coordinator will assist by communicating, to each volunteer, the specific task to be done.
This can be done by email, text, telephone or in person. Which ever is most effective in each case.
Please ask any questions so there will be no misunderstandings.
Each Area Coordinator has a limited number of available openings.
Once these are filled they can not take any additional help. First come / first served. If your chosen area has no slots left, you will need to choose a different area.
The sooner everything gets done, the better. Please don’t wait until the last minute.
If by October 10th, you have not chosen a task, one will be assigned to you.
Area Coordinators:
Orchard. Katherine Jones
Compost. Paul DaSilva
West side fence. Dawniele Pasha
Fig Tree Garden. Margaret Conner
Food Bank gardens Pat Burns
Tool Shed Shelly Toccini
Tool Painters Stephen Conner
Rose Committee Jill Hutchinson
Fod Bank Jill Hutchinson
Front Gardens Stephen Conner
During these six weeks of shared work time (GWT) we all follow up with these SEVEN TASKS:
1- Weed both your garden and aisles and keep all plants in your borders - (and, if desired, plant a September/Fall garden).
2- Check for faucet leaks and any damage to wooden hose posts and borders and report needed repairs to your Garden Coordinator. Repairs are done by Public Works. (You, however, replace Your broken hoses).
3- Disconnect all watering systems from no later than October 24. (to avoid freezing problems during the winter. Any remaining plants can now be hand watered.)
4-Harvest and REMOVE all remaining TOMATO PLANTS. 🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
--garden rule #4 a. "In order to prevent any widespread tomato disease within our Community Garden, and for the good of the entire garden, It is necessary and required of all gardeners to harvest and remove all tomato plants from their gardens prior to the Fall Workday gathering." -- This year, no later than October 23, 2020.
Tomatoes ripen at night when warm. The nights turn colder after October. Plants left in the garden are forgotten and will attract over-wintering diseases, insects, and rats to your garden.
There are always green tomatoes left on the vine in the fall. Don’t panic. Your tomato plants aren’t meant to last forever, so be thankful for the crop you've gotten.
Some tomatoes will ripen at home. Green fried tomatoes are delicious. Please place all debris in dumpster, - not in the compost.
5-Choose your Garden Area and contact the appropriate Area Coordinator (see above).
6- Complete task assigned.
7- Report completion to Area Coordinator (see above).
Color Gardeners, please include winterizing of your Color Garden as an additional responsibility.
“Passing The Hat”
Your monetary donations have allowed us to buy needed paint, brushes, hose washers, straw, wheelbarrow wheels and tools.
If you would like to donate this year, simple place your cash or check donation in an envelope, with my name on it. Notify me by email that you have done so.
All donations are welcome. Thank you in advance.
**********************************************
If you will be leaving our garden community, we "Thank you for growing with us.”
Please return the garden to us in the same way you received it, even better.
Completely clean your plot of everything, all weeds, all plants, stepping stones, tomato cages, wood, debris, etc... You may either accomplish this yourself or pay someone to complete it before you leave.
Do not leave anything in the tool shed. (Garden rule #3)
*********************************************
Thank you to everyone for making our garden look so beautiful and be so nourishing.
Call if you have questions.
See you in the garden,
Stephen
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please mark your calendars:GARDEN WORKDAY and POTLUCK has been cancelled.
Hello Gardeners,
In an abundance of caution, our March 21st Workday Garden Party/ Potluck has been cancelled for the first time in 38 years.
I am writing to let you know that access to the Community Garden is approved during the COVID-19 event. The garden remains open and is a good place to be outdoors.
With that said, there are stipulations to all of our gardeners:
1.Gardeners may use the garden at their own risk.
2.Please bring disinfectant wipes/hand sanitizer. Please use on your hands after entry/exit and after using Community Garden tools.
3.Please maintain social distance and wear a mask.
4.Please only bring members of your family to the garden. Please don’t bring friends or neighbors.
5.Be kind to each other. Folks may be a bit on edge.
We certainly want you to enjoy and tend your Garden plot. We want you to meet and greet your neighbors in the garden and elsewhere. Please continue to take appropriate precautions.
***********************************
Please use this time to keep your aisles “weed-free”and keep your garden area looking nice.
Realize how large your plants will grow and plant them accordingly, so they won’t grow over your borders.
Remember to organically feed the soil. Use deep mulch so you rarely need to water.
Check and report any faucet leaks and any damage to hose posts and wooden borders.
Enjoy getting your hands into the soil.
Say “Hello” to each other and be safe. We look forward to seeing you.
****************************************
This year our focus will again be to keep plants within our garden borders. Most of us like to plant alyssum, calendula, nasturtium, artichoke, zucchini, vines, roses, zinnias, geraniums, etc.. If they are planted too close to the garden’s edge they will grow over the border. *** If needed, transplant them further into your garden so you won’t have to keep cutting them back just as they grow and start to look good. Give them a wide berth to grow. Both they and you will be happier.
Thank you for all you do to make our garden work so well and look so nice.
See you in the garden,
Stephen
At this time visitors, friends or neighbors are not allowed to tour the garden. Only gardeners and members of their immediate families.
Organic gardeners feed the soil and not the plant.
The soil serves as the reservoir for water and the vital nutrients that the plant requires for growth.
In an Organic garden the soil is the foundation of a healthy eco system.
The soil serves as the reservoir for water and the vital nutrients that the plant requires for growth.
In an Organic garden the soil is the foundation of a healthy eco system.
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"BARE- BONES-MINIMUM" OF GARDEN PARTICIPATION
The Larkspur Community garden is a community of gardeners who grow organically.
Good stewardship is a requirement for every single garden.
The following is a list of the bare-bone minimum of garden participation.
: should not reseed or spread
The Larkspur Community garden is a community of gardeners who grow organically.
Good stewardship is a requirement for every single garden.
The following is a list of the bare-bone minimum of garden participation.
- Every gardener has the responsibility of preparing their garden plot for Spring planting and again for Winter clean-up; and the weeding of their aisles prior to our March and October workday gathering.
- As a gardener you need to show that you are making some sort of an effort to be present at your garden and cultivate and care for your plants."Failure to care for your plot will result in termination of your lease."
- A garden plot: needs to be developed and used.
- Regular garden maintenance is necessary.
- Weeds need to be kept in check.
- Weeds : should not choke other plants
: should not reseed or spread
- Invasive plants require vigilant maintenance
- Unchecked plants are offensive, dangerous and a nuisance to everyone else.
- You need to be concerned about everyone else.
- You don't own your garden plot, you just lease it with the understanding that it will be gardened, used, weeded, pruned as necessary, watered and cared for, (hopefully with loving hearts, hands and enthusiasm). The appearance of your garden effects the community.
- It is not fair not to use it. We have a waiting list of hopeful gardeners who want your plot.
- We strive together to grow as community as we continue to enjoy our garden as much as we can. We all can creatively grow organically, therapeutically reduce stress and renew ourselves through recreation in the soil. We endeavor to do this more easily together than alone and share more abundantly as community than as individuals.
