2012 had 3 plot sizes: full (20x20ft), half (20x10ft), and quarter (10x10ft)
Frequently Asked Questions
How big are the garden plots? Half plots are 10x20ft, full plots are 20x20ft. First-year gardeners are assigned half plots.
How many garden plots does Mulberry Junction have? 2011 had 18 full plots and 21 half plots
Do you have to live in the Bottineau neighborhood? Bottineau residents get bumped up on the waiting list. Plots that are remaining are assigned to residents in surrounding communities.
How much does a garden plot cost? 2012-14 rates: $20 for half plots and $40 for full plots. Make checks payable to Bottineau Neighborhood Association.
Is wire fencing included in the fee? Only if the previous gardener left it.
How do I sign up for a plot? Contact us now to get on the waiting list. Prospective gardeners can participate in the garden while waiting for an individual plot to open up. We welcome any and all assistance at the community workdays held one Saturday each month.
What is the Garden Kick-off Meeting? A mandatory meeting, usually held in mid-March, where plots are preliminarily assigned, Minnesota Green seeds are distributed, dates of the community workdays are set, the garden budget is approved, and where gardeners sign up for the volunteer tasks which keep the garden going.
Should I bring anything to the garden workdays? Gloves
How are garden plots watered? A hose is hooked up to the fire hydrant on the corner of 23rd and California St. The combination to a lock will be provided to each gardener for access. In 2011, the public works department installed water meters so gardeners could track their usage, and as of 2012 the water will be billed to the garden.
How much work is involved in having a garden plot? Group work day is once a month for two hours from April to October and each gardener is expected to put in 6 hours a year. Group tasks include mowing, raking, weeding paths and common garden areas (flowers), tending to the compost, repairing equipment, and more. Gardeners who can't attend workdays can preform tasks individually. (See Garden Tasks page for details.)
Individual plots require tilling, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and complete clearing at the end of each season (tomato cages, weeds, plant debris, etc.). Time needed for these tasks depends on what is planted, how much it rains, what methods are used to control weeds, etc.