How can I find my bed(s)?
A bed map is located on the kiosk at the side entrance to the garden. Garden rows are numbered 1-15, lettered A-F. Row 1 is at the front of the garden, closest to the road. Letters A-C are on the south side of the garden, D-F are in the north side.
How can I water my bed?
To water your plants you may use the water spigots and hose located on the center aisle. You may also fill watering cans from the green WM totes at the center of the garden.
The hose hooks up to the hydrant on Five Mile Line Rd. Always detach the hose from the hydrant when you are finished watering, never leave water on and leave the garden property. Water is paid for at the end of the season from our garden budget through Penfield Recreation.
How do I use the compost?
The compost piles are for every gardener to use to discard green garden waste. Please DO NOT put the following items in the compost piles:
rocks
tomatoes or tomato plants
wood
woody stems
Compost is used to enrich your garden soil. About 1x per year a pile of compost will be harvested from the bins. That pile will be left near the bins. You may take some and turn it into your garden.
What can I put in the compost pile?
In general you can put any organic matter into the bins. Compost guidelines are posted near the compost bins.
What does it mean to try to use organic products?
Organic gardening means that we try to minimize the amount of "chemicals" in our garden. Many popular garden products have organic alternatives. If you are unsure, ask at your local garden center for organic soil, bug spray, and plant food.
What can I plant in my bed(s)?
You may plant vegetables, flowers, and even perennials in your bed. Remember, if you intend to leave the garden community, perennials will be granted to the next gardener who rents that bed. We ask that you do not plant trees or large shrubs in your beds. Plant prolific plants such as mints in pots in your bed rather than directly in the soil. Many will grow and shade neighboring beds. We have many amateur and experienced gardeners. Ask for help if you need it when deciding what to plant.
How do I get information about what is going on at the garden?
The only way to get the most current information is to be on the email list. If you do not give an email address at the time you register you will not be on the list. Contact Penfield Recreation to get on the list. The Sprout Newsletter, written by PCVG volunteers, comes out 1x per month via email. It is also posted on www.penfieldrec.org and, when volunteers are able, it will be on the kiosk at the garden. Sometimes special emails are sent out if an important bit of information must be shared immediately.
Who mows the garden?
The garden is mowed by volunteers. Our mowers mow the inside pathways and around the exterior of the fence. We also mow around the tree up front. The town mows in front of the sidewalk. Mowing volunteers are always needed. A mowing list sign up is posted through the garden newsletter.
How can I help keep the garden safe and clean?
Safety is very important. Clearing the pathways of rocks is one way to be sure our volunteer mowers are safe. If you pick rocks from your garden deposit them on the south side of the parking lot. Also, do not leave piles of weeds in the pathways; this can spread plant disease and encourage unwanted bugs. Leave lengths of hoses on the gravel pathway and set it to the side.
I got hurt while gardening - what should I do?
There is a first aid kit in the shed at the back of the garden. The town asks that we fill out an injury report, located in the kit, if there is any injury at the garden. The form can be delivered or mailed to the Penfield Recreation office at 1985 Baird Rd.
What is a garden "work day"?
Garden work days are scheduled about 3 times in the season between April and October. A work day is used to work on common garden areas; these are all the areas outside of personal beds. Common areas are all maintained by garden members who volunteer their time. All garden members are encouraged to spend some time maintaining common areas.
I have extra vegetables - what can I do with them?
A cooler is available at the kiosk once the harvest begins. The donated produce is brought to the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf to be distributed to needy families in our community. Garden volunteers provide this service.
Who plans for and maintains PCVG?
The PCVG project team committee, under the direction of the Penfield Recreation department, guides and plans for the garden. All decisions about the garden are made through this committee with the approval of the Recreation department. The garden is maintained by the gardeners who all volunteer to help out during work days on the common areas. Individual gardens are maintained by the gardeners who rent the bed and plant it for that season.
I'd like to work on the Community Garden project committee; who should I contact?
Contact the Recreation department to express your interest in joining the PCVG planning committee - (585) 340-8651, srenner@penfield.org
Why does the PCVG need to do fundraisers?
Fundraisers are done so that equipment can be maintained and special projects can be completed. Additionally, fundraiser are completed to help with community projects with our local scouts and other community groups.
Who is responsible for getting rid of pests at the garden?
Voles, woodchucks, and potato beetles are just a few of the smaller pests that may impact gardeners during the season. The maintenance of the fencing and pathways is done by gardeners who volunteer to help. We keep deer out and woodchucks out by maintaining your fence. The voles and smaller pest must be addressed by individual gardeners. The garden committee routinely will send out notification about pests management through the newsletter via email.
