2013

In 2013, Ryan Hvizda and I were taken on as the first hired gardeners. As certified Permaculture designers and experienced organic farmers, we began establishing techniques that would outlive our employment.

When we arrived, the garden plots had been tilled fairly deep as it had been for years. The soil was depleted of nutrients, minerals, beneficial microbes and key soil builders (ie. worms). Ryan and I spent the first few weeks at the garden establishing kid-friendly garden beds that were interesting and beautiful. Rainbow patterns decorate the two plots to make a more visually interesting and meditative working place. Though PCC had bought seeds for the garden, we were uncomfortable with the quality as there were many seeds inoculated with fungicides and pesticides and it was already late May which would push the growing season back. We asked local farms for donations of seed trays and received more than we could possibly use!

The kids from 3 day cares came down the first few weeks to help plant the donated seedlings and the ones they had started in their classrooms. It was fairly difficult as the kids ranged from 2-12 years old and the organization of the garden was lost--tomatoes were planted amongst peas next to pumpkins with onions.

Mid-June, we found a farm on Craigslist whose barn had collapsed and 100 of their bales of hay had been rained on. We got the price ($2/bale) reduced to $1 and delivered because of the tax deductible service he was providing (PCC is a 501-c3). This is a great tool that should be used whenever a resource is found.

The hay was seeded, unfortunately, but provided a quick way to build soil and biodiversity in the garden. It also reduced our need to weed the garden. Additional  benefits were realized the next year (2014) when red clover and yarrow established themselves from the seed bank deposited by the hay.

We decided early on that the following year the garden would not be tilled. This meant no one should walk on the beds to avoid compaction and that pathways would need to be maintained. This is a key ingredient to the garden: pathways should not be left bare. Bare soil is destroyed by direct sunlight. Clover, cardboard, woodchips, or leaves are excellent for the pathways. Vegetation allows for mulching ingredients and allows the mychorrizhal fungi to establish their hyphae (the "fingers" of the fungi) to spread between beds. This aids in the transfer of nutrients and acts as a communication system between plants (to warn about disease, pests, etc.).

Our decision to not till the garden allowed us to plant our first perennials. We began with a small patch of herbs in the northeastern corner of the right plot. Oregano, French tarragon, lemon balm, sage, and parsley were all donated and are still established now (2014).

We added a fertilizer called Pro-Gro---chock full of minerals, the standard NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), chicken manure, bone meal, and other nutrients this product is organic, affordable and a truly amazing soil amendment.

Communication with PCC was sparse and we did not get summer campers at the garden as often as we would have liked.

For harvesting, we had buckets and baskets that we would bring to PCC and weigh on an ancient scale. A high school student was hired to wash and bag the harvest later on. Both processes were time consuming and ungainly and the washing was particularly wasteful (of time-energy, water and Ziploc baggies).

In the fall, we had volunteers come to help sheetmulch the harvested beds. Sheetmulching is an excellent tool for building soil in established beds and for beds that are overgrown with weeds (and/or have a tremendous seed bank). Using layers of cardboard, compost, "green" manure and "brown" manure, wood chips, leaves, grass clippings, and/or other organic materials, material breaks down over the winter (or in a few months if done in early spring) to form a loose, rich soil. If the cardboard has not biodegraded, a hole can be cut and planted through. This is an added benefit as the cardboard prevents weeds from growing while young plants are established.

In the areas that are cleared, sheetmulching can be used, too, though we've found planting a cover crop is simpler and perhaps just as effective. Oats, winter rye, clover, and buckwheat are all easily grown and found in most farm/garden stores.

Plants that have good stalks (corn, broccoli, some eggplants, okra, cabbage, kale...) we leave in place. They are good habitat for over-wintering guests of the garden. They provide microclimates and stabilize the soil when the snow melts which prevents erosion.

We suggested that the mowers of the garden not mow when the clover was in bloom to allow for bees to harvest pollen and nectar. This was granted in 2014 with a 2-week mowing schedule.

All-in-all, it was a great first year. We produced 1,300 lbs of food for three daycares, 2 food banks, and the elderly center.

2014

I was hired on again this year (2014) as manager of the garden. Ryan and I had emphasized the importance of stewardship in a garden like the one at the Historical Society. The history is lost year to year when it changes hands. The work we did establishing permanent beds would be lost.

I advised Executive Director Deb Cuddahy to hire on master gardeners, organic gardeners, or Permaculture-minded people (preferably all three). There was enough grant money this year to have three hired employees for the season. We had so many interested applicants that were determined to help at the garden that for the first 2 months we had consistent volunteer presence in the garden.

PCC's maintenance crew put up fencing for us to prevent the deer damage we'd had the year prior. The garden was not tilled, and a requested two-week mowing cycle allowed the clover to flower for pollinators.

In the fall of 2013, I dumpster dove at Tractor Supply Co. in Franklin, NH and found $4,500 worth of seeds. These I started in a local greenhouse, in my living room, and at the Merrimack Middle School. The garden was again donated plants from Surowiec Farm in Sanbornton.

We hired Geri Holdsworth, a master gardener, and McLean Zauner, a Permaculturist. They were given areas to plant and tend as they wished. I emphasized that the garden was for playing, and though I had a planting diagram, I was in no way attached to it. I have discovered that it is vital to the success of the garden to allow each worker to have one section that they really care for. An area of which they can feel proud and be held accountable is more valuable than a mish-mosh of plantings for which they do not feel responsible or attached.

We bought 39 bales of straw for $2 a bale which we had to pick up (we weren't as lucky as last year). It was not seeded, which was a benefit as the seeds from the hay put down in 2013 had established thick-rooted, determined weeds.

I also received strawberries and raspberries from the Conservation Commission plant sale (the plants were free for non-profit organizations). These are planted on the eastern side of the plot to the left). We plucked the flowers off of the strawberries to establish the roots, so next year's crop should be bountiful!

McLean began establishing an edge in the garden. He planted comfrey along the right plot to prevent weeds from growing into the beds (their root system is too difficult to penetrate). He also established a hugelkultur bed in the southwestern corner of the right plot.

We brought in a truck load of goat manure and established a compost pile in the middle of the left plot. We added the plant debris from 2013 and covered it with a tarp. At the end of the summer, this was vital to our sheetmulching process.

I brought my chickens a few days this summer and they devoured grubs--I suggest this especially as an early summer technique for pest control.

To bring in volunteers, I suggest using UNH Cooperative Extention's Natural Resource Steward listserve (email mary.tebo@unh.edu). Another great resource is the Central NH Permaculture Meetup Group.

2014 was an extremely successful year. We produced 1,633 lbs of vegetables!