We provide free compost, top soil, animal manure, straw, wood chips and water in exchange for two hours of volunteer help each week. We are happy to explain how to maintain your beds, as we are a no-till farm. It’s best to replenish beds in the fall, but early spring works too.

Gardeners can direct sow or plant seedlings, or both, and get seeds and plant stock wherever they like. For instance, one of our plot farmers is a medicinal herbalist. Her entire plot is planted with medicinal herbs, many of which are perennials. Some plot farmers add flowers fo their plots for beauty and to draw pollinators.

You can find information on Seed Starting and other gardening tips at the bottom of this page.

When you sign the Plot Farmer Pledge, you commit to volunteering two hours a week. You can work those hours in different ways. For instance if you work four hours one week that will put you ahead. Bring a friend to work with you and their time will also count.

Volunteerng for Plot Farmers starts in mid April and goes until late October.

The miracle of seeds! Click HERE to learn about Direct Sowing vs Starting seeds in pots as transplants. Click HERE for a printable PDF version!

A Plot farmer Seed Library will be available inside the pavilion. We are providing a starter seed library. Plot Farmers can add seeds, take seeds and maintain it!

Grosse Pointe Ewald Library has a Seed Library that residents of GP, Harper Woods and Eastpointe can access.

What exactly is mulching? It is adding a layer of organic matter to cover exposed soil. Compost and mulch are the best organic tools a gardener has! Here are the benefits.

Retains moisture - mulch provides a barrier to heat and wind. Suppresses Weeds - You will always have some weeds in your garden. By applying mulch you are covering weed seeds in the soil that would otherwise germinate. Weeds that emerge through the mulch will be easier to pull. Prevent Soil Erosion - If you leave the soil bare it will likely be exposed to wind/rain causing a loss of soil through erosion. It will also likely crust over, meaning water can not permeate it. Prevent Plant Disease - There are many plant diseases that live in the soil. Most of these pathogens infect plants through the foliage. This occurs when conditions are right and rain or watering the plants splashes pathogens onto the foliage. The mulch acts as a shield. Mulch adds Nutrients - Since you are mulching with organic matter, that material breaks down over time, feeding the soil and thereby feeding your plants. Adding organic matter to your soil also improves drainage.

Mulch on your beds has a pleasing appearance!

Common organic mulch choices are straw, grass clippings (without pesticide residue), shredded leaves

Evaporation increases when there is not enough rain, or when high wind and heat increases. On the other hand, high humidity causes slower evaporation. Pay attention to these factors and physically test your garden beds to see if they need watering. Stick your finger in various places in the bed down to the second knuckle. If it comes away clean, it is time to water. If soil clings to your finger there is enough moisture and no need to water.

Remember, overwatering can be just as detrimental to your plants as underwatering. Plant roots need oxygen. If the roots become too soggy, oxygen cannot reach them, and they will literally suffocate. A plant that is distressed by not enough water or by too much water will likely exhibit wilting and yellowing foliage.

What is the best watering routine? There is no simple water once a week strategy. You need to watch the rain situation, observe your plants and do the finger test! Common general garden advice says plants need 1” of water a week.

Watering Techniques – Water with intention! Water the roots of your plants. Place the water nozzle to the base the plants. Water so each root system gets enough water. Don’t just spray the foliage or use a sprinkler, which wastes water! It is better to water deeply every few days then to do frequent shallow waterings.