Rees & Sumach Community Garden

WELCOME TO THE REES & SUMACH COMMUNITY GARDEN WEBSITE

2011-04-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

REES & SUMACH COMMUNITY GARDEN HAS WAITING LIST FOR THE 2012 SEASON
The Rees & Sumach Community Garden plots are basically full, however we have a waiting list for interested gardeners, from which available plots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. We are also referring interested gardeners to the new Walla Walla University Community Garden located on Birch Street in College Place a half block north of Whitman Drive. For information on the WWU Community Garden, email Jimmy Wilhelm at immyjay4@gmail.com or call 509-301-2806.

The Rees & Sumach Community Garden is located at the corner of Rees and Sumach streets on land donated by Whitman College, and features 30 individual plots, 10' x 20' each, and several common areas. Applications should be sent to Rees & Sumach Garden at PO Box 1222, Walla Walla. See the link on this page to our Application Form.

The garden is sponsored by the North Main Area Neighborhood Association. Community sponsors and members are also needed to help provide ongoing support for the project. See our Membership and Sponsors link.

This site features garden progress and rules, information on membership and sponsorships, and useful links to other community gardens and associations.

Leadership for the Rees & Sumach project is being provided by long-time area gardener Bob Biles, and neighborhood resident Dan Clark, who serve as garden master and garden coordinator. Others involved in leading specific work areas include neighbors Ross Osborn, Norm Osterman, and Barbara Daniel, and community member Marti Buck.

Garden membership includes access to a listserve for sharing gardening questions and information.

For more information, contact Bob Biles at 525-7139 Dan Clark at 522-0399, or email rees.sumach@charter.net.
See the links above for application forms, membership & sponsorship, garden rules in English & Spanish, and links to other gardens and groups.

Garden Progress

2009-10-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

We had a great first season for the garden in 2010, and a fine second season in 2011.

Here's what we've accomplished so far:

---Negotiated and signed a lease for the garden site with Whitman College
---Obtained sponsorship by the North Main Area Neighborhood Association
---Obtained insurance through a partnership with Walla Walla 2020
---Received outreach assistance from Commitment to Community
---Obtained parking area fill from the City of Walla Walla
---Established twelve initial working groups for garden organization
---Appointed a garden coordinator and a garden master
---Received an initial grant from the Walla Walla Friends Meeting
---Adopted a work plan and time table for opening the garden
---Adopted garden rules
---Adopted a garden layout
---Began to enrich the soil
---Installed a garden sign
---Began the application process for individual plots
---Rototilled the full garden site several times, working in compost materials
---Adopted a budget and resource plan
-- Assigned plots
---Organized & offered gardening classes
---Installed a fence
---Installed an irrigation system & pathways
---Built a toolshed
---Planted 30 individual and 5 common area plots.
---Received several additional grants, private donations, and community memberships
---Donated hundreds of pounds of produce to local food banks each year
---Beautified our neighborhood
---Had a great time meeting our neighbors, increasing our gardening skills, and harvesting and sharing our produce.
---Installed a beautiful sculptured archway into the garden

There are many community gardens in the northwest and elsewhere whose experience we can all learn from. Here are links to over 100 established community gardens in three of our northwest cities:

http://www.seattle.gov/Neighborhoods/ppatch/ (Seattle, 68 gardens)
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=39846 (Portland, 32 gardens)
http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=217&PageID=1357&cached=true&mode=2&userID=2 (Eugene, 6 gardens).

Please pass this information on to others who might be interested.

Happy gardening,

Dan Clark, Coordinator
Bob Biles, Garden Master
Rees & Sumach Community Garden
PO Box 1222WallaWalla WA 99362
509-522-0399
rees.sumach@charter.net

Garden Rules

2009-10-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

REES & SUMACH COMMUNITY GARDEN

1. Individual plots will be assigned in the following order:

a. Those who request an individual plot in the order of those requests

b. For following years, those who had individual plots in the prior year and met their garden obligations will be assigned the same plot if requested.

2. Gardeners are encouraged to donate ten percent (10%) of their harvest to local food banks. The balance of the harvest from individual plots belongs to the plot owners. All members of the garden association may share in the balance of the harvest from common areas. Produce from the garden may not be sold.

3. Organic and inorganic fertilizers may be used, though organic are preferred. Only organic pest and herb control can be used—no insecticides or herbicides.

4. Help with common areas is required. Each gardener is expected to contribute at least eight hours of work on common areas each year. Work parties and tasks will be posted.

5. Individual plots must be tended regularly throughout the year, including at least weekly removal of weeds, watering, and harvesting in season. If a plot is untended for more than two weeks during the regular season, March 1-Nov 1, the owner will be given notice to correct by a particular date; if the problem continues, the plot may be reassigned to someone else without a refund of fees.

6. Cooperation with neighboring gardeners is necessary. Trees are not permitted in individual plots. Tall or trellised plants should not shade neighboring plots; spreading plants must be kept within individual boundaries and out of the paths. Raised beds are allowed, but must be removed by the owner when the plot is reassigned if requested.

7. Water use and conservation is important. Water must be turned off before leaving the garden. Watering should be limited to the owner’s plot, unless permission is given by others.

8. Community tools and equipment cannot be removed from the garden, and must be returned to the tool shed in a clean condition, and the tool shed locked.

9. General membership in the Rees & Sumach Community Garden is $20 per year, which entitles the member to access the garden, participate in cultivating and harvesting of the common areas, and to participate in meetings and decision-making.

10. Individual plot fees are $40 per year, which includes a general membership in the garden, as well as the right to water, cultivate and harvest an individual plot. Individuals and families for whom the full plot fee would be a hardship may request a waiver of between $10 and $30 per plot.

11. No dogs are permitted in the garden. Children are welcome, as long as they are closely supervised to avoid damage to neighboring plots.
11-26-10

Reglas del Jardin

2009-10-12T20:13:00.000-07:00

JARDIN COMUNITARIO “REES & SUMACH”
Reglas

1. Terrenos individuales serán asignados en el siguiente orden:
a. Los que solicitan un terreno individual en el orden de las solicitudes
b. Durante los años siguientes, los que tenían terrenos individuales el año anterior y que satisficieron sus obligaciones en el jardín se les asignará el mismo terreno si así lo solicitan.

2. Nos gustaría que los jardineros donaran el diez por ciento (10%) de su cosecha a los bancos de alimentos locales. El resto de la cosecha de los terrenos individuales pertenece a los propietarios de terrenos. Todos los jardineros pueden compartir en el balance de la cosecha de las zonas comunes. No se puede vender los productos del jardín.

3. Fertilizantes orgánicos e inorgánicos se pueden utilizar, aunque orgánicos son preferibles. Sólo control orgánico de peste y el control de hierba se puede utilizar--no insecticidas o herbicidas.

4. Ayuda con zonas comunes se requiere. Cada jardinero tiene que contribuir al menos ocho horas de trabajo en las áreas comunes cada año. Ocasiones para trabajar, y tareas serán publicados.

5. Terrenos individuales deben ser atendidos con regularidad durante todo el año, incluyendo al menos la eliminación semanal de las malas hierbas, riego y cosecha en la temporada. Si un terreno está descuidado por más que dos semanas durante la temporada regular, el 1 de marzo hasta el 1 de noviembre, el propietario se les dará aviso para corregirse por una fecha especifica. Si el problema continúa, el terreno puede ser reasignado a otra persona sin un reembolso de los cobros.

6. Cooperación con los jardineros a su lado es necesario. Los árboles no se permiten en los terrenos individuales. Plantas de altura o en espaldera no deben sombrear parcelas vecinas. Por las plantas que extenden, hay que mantenerse dentro de los límites individuales y fuera de las sendas. Sembrados levantados están permitidos, pero deben ser removidos por el propietario cuando se reasigna la parcela, si así lo solicita.

7. El uso del agua y la conservación es importante. El agua debe estar apagado antes de salir del jardín. El riego debe limitarse a trazar del propietario, a menos que el permiso está dado por otros.

8. Herramientas y equipo comunitario no se puede quitar del jardín, y debe ser devuelto al almacén de herramientas en condiciones de limpieza, y el cuarto de herramientas cerrado con llave.
9. Para ser miembro general del Jardín Comunitario Rees & Sumach le costará $20 por año, lo que se permite acceso al jardín, participar en el cultivo y la cosecha de las zonas comunes, y participar en reuniones y toma de decisiones.

10. Cobro por terreno individual es de $40 por año, que incluye una membresía general en el jardín, así como el uso de agua, derecho de cultivar y cosechar un terreno individual. Para los individuos y las familias que tendrán dificultad en pagar en completo, pueden solicitar una reducción parcial de entre $10 y $30 por cada terreno individual.

11. No se permiten perros en el jardín. Los niños son bienvenidos, siempre y cuando sean supervisados de cerca para evitar daños a los terrenos de otros jardineros.

Membership and Sponsorship

2009-10-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Individual plot fees are $40 per year, which includes a general membership, as well as the right to water, cultivate and harvest an individual plot. Partial fee waivers are available in cases of financial hardship. Individuals and families for whom the full plot fee would be a hardship may request a waiver between $10-$30 per plot. See the application form on this site.

Sponsorships are also available to help develop the common areas of the garden, and to provide scholarships for gardeners. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the Rees & Sumach Community Garden by sending a check for this purpose to sponsor Walla Walla 2020, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PO Box 1222, Walla Walla WA 99362, marked Rees & Sumach Community Garden. Please see the sponsor form below.
For more information on membership and sponsorship, please contact Bob Biles at 525-7139, Dan Clark at 522-0399, or email rees.sumach@charter.net.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I SUPPORT THE REES & SUMACH COMMUNITY GARDEN

_____ Enclosed is a Sponsor donation of $ __________.
_____ I can help the Community Garden in other ways, such as:
___________________________________________________

Name(s) ____________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________

Please make checks to Rees & Sumach Community Garden and send to PO Box 1222, Walla Walla WA 99362. For tax deductible donations, please make checks to Walla Walla 2020, marked Rees & Sumach Garden Fund, and send to PO Box 1222, W.W.

APPLICATION FORM

2009-10-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Rees & Sumach Community Garden
Application Form

Name________________________________________ Date_________
(to whom correspondence will be sent, one per plot)
Address___________________________________________________
Phone ________________ __________________ ________________
(Day, Evening, Cell)
E-Mail____________________________________________________
Other Gardeners_____________________________________________
(Names & Phone, if different)
Co-Gardener E-Mail______________________________________
(if different)
Have you ever gardened before? ___Yes ___No
Please briefly describe your gardening experience: _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Please describe why you want to participate in the Community Garden: _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Please describe any special needs or accommodations _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

ALL APPLICANTS: I hereby apply for an individual plot, agree to pay the $40 plot fee, less any approved reduction, and for me and for all those I permit to use my plot, agree to abide by the attached Rules of the Rees & Sumach Community Garden, which I have read and have provided to all gardeners. I and all other gardeners also agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the landowner and lessees of the garden site and all sponsors of the garden, and all officers, employees, agents or volunteers of said sponsors, with regard to the condition of the premises and as to any liability for damages arising from the use of the garden by me or other gardeners I permit to use my plot, and as to any claim for damages for negligence or other wrongful act or omission of any of such persons or organizations, and to indemnify and hold harmless said organizations and persons from any and all damages or expenses relating to claims made by or on behalf of the undersigned, or any minor child, ward or other family member of the undersigned, and from any claim arising from the acts or omissions of the undersigned, or the undersigned’s minor child, ward or other family member, or any other gardener using my plot.

In signing this, I am stating that I am prepared to meet the physical demands of gardening in the Community Garden, i.e., maintenance, group workdays, meetings, and responsibilities to other gardeners.

Signature(s) _______________________________________________
(Applicant)
________________________________________________________
(Co-Gardeners)
Priority will be given and fee reductions made as provided in the Garden Rules. If you wish to apply for a fee reduction, please check here ( ) and attach a letter including the requested amount and the reason for your request. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If not assigned a plot, do you wish to be put on a Waiting List? ___Yes ___No

Please Mail completed application and check made out to "Rees & Sumach Community Garden" to: Rees & Sumach Community Garden, PO Box 1222, Walla Walla WA 99362. For more information, go to http://www.reesandsumach.org, email rees.sumach@charter.net, or call 522-0399.

Garden Map

2009-10-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Meetings & Events

2009-10-10T20:37:00.000-07:00

The Rees & Sumach Community Garden Annual Harvest Party and Potluck will be Sunday, Nov. 6 at 4 pm at the Marjorie Terrace Community Room across from the garden.

Garden members meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of most months at 5:30 pm. The next garden meeting will be on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:30 pm in the Community Room at the Marjorie Terrace Apartments, 817 N. Main, Building A, across from the Garden.
For more information, call Dan Clark,522-0399, or email rees.sumach@charter.net.