Grant Questions + Answers

Explain whether this will be a new garden initiative or are plans made for an already existing garden. Include types of plants and garden location and dimensions. Include maps, diagrams, or drawings. Include the techniques or methods you will use (e.g. outdoor raised beds, outdoor containers, etc.).

This will be a new garden and community building initiative for the Sycamore Hills Neighborhood.

The entire garden creation process has been and continues to be documented on the Sycamore Hills Community Garden Blog, http://sycamorehillscommunitygarden.blogspot.com. The gardeners and neighbors will be invited and trained on using the blog to add their own writings and photographs of the garden. This blog will be linked onto the Sycamore Hills Residents Association website, which is in the process of being updated and improved by a very dedicated board of community members. It is the SHRA goal to have the SHRA website linked to the Northwest Civic Association website as a local NW Columbus neighborhood. The blog and garden will help other neighborhoods find inspiration and background knowledge to create their own community gardens.

The garden will include fruit trees, vines, shrubs, flowers, food crops, herbs and berries.
The dimensions of the garden will be 64 feet X 52 feet, with twenty raised beds, compost bin, water collection system, drip irrigation, and a roofed structure, surrounded by a fence lined with beds.

Each family will be able to sign up for an individual bed, and any unclaimed beds will be designated as community produce, including food for the local pantries under the program "Grow a Row for the Hungry." Some beds will be raised 4-5 feet off of the ground for older gardeners. The entire garden will be maintained and planted using only organic and environmentally sound methods and materials.

The garden timeline:
April 2008: creation of idea and communication to neighborhood
May: Share and collect information on garden idea with neighbors
June: Meet and discuss information gathered
July: ascertain formal interest and garden planners
August: prepare grants
October: garden tour
November: planning and design meeting
December: prepare grants and budget
January 2009: make community connections
February: Garden meeting
March: Establish garden care rules and regulations
April: Begin sign ups
May: Begin construction and planting
June: planting, harvesting, and maintenance
July: planting, harvesting, and maintenance
August: planting, harvesting, and maintenance
September: planting, harvesting, and maintenance
October: garden preparation for winter and post season reflection