• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X
  • Get a Quote
510-439-3700
Gardeners' Guild SF Bay Area Full Service Landscaping
  • About
    • Meet the Team
    • Affiliations
    • We’re Employee-Owned
  • Services
    • Exterior Maintenance
    • Interior Plant Care
    • Landscape Construction
    • Design – Build
    • Irrigation
    • Vegetation Management Services
    • Sustainable Landscaping
  • Galleries
    • Exterior Landscape Maintenance
    • Interior Plant Design & Maintenance
    • Landscape Design & Construction
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful

April 11, 2019/in Commercial Landscapes, Edible Gardening, Landscaper San Francisco Bay Area, Residential Landscaping, Richmond Landscaper, Winter Vegetable Gardening Bay Area

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Garden is Thriving

People are growing their own food in bigger number than ever before.  In urban areas this trend is surging, particularly in multifamily communities.  These communities include apartments and condominium associations.  It enhances the sense of community and increases property values.  An NYU study in 2006 (the last one we saw) found that regardless of the neighborhood’s income level, property values increased up to 9.5 percent.

This month we’re talking about a client garden in Oakland and the reasons for its success.  It’s one thing to start a garden.  But, maintaining it requires a different set of skills, knowledge and time.  We’ve distilled the success of this multfamily’s garden to these two factors.

  1. How they are maintained.  It’s actually not the how – but who. Their vegetable garden pictured above is maintained by someone outside of the multifamily community.  Gardeners’ Guild performs the maintenance, but it doesn’t have to be us, or any company. It can be one or two people.  The key to its success is that the gardener is outside of the community. It’s a cleaner relationship.  No entanglements with the community.  See our explanation below.
  2. Fundamental for plant survival is – the right plant/right place; soil and proper amount of water and light But that’s not everything.

How an Outside Gardener Helped Make this Garden Successful

This is especially relevant for urban multifamily housing like homeowner’s associations or apartments.  Many of these residents are super busy and don’t have time to maintain a garden.  Yet these urban communities recognize the benefits of an edible garden. It is convenient.  Healthier and less expensive.

The realities of plant maintenance, however, can sometimes undo all the hard work of planting an edible garden. We’ve seen it happen.  Plant problems occur.  The solution rests on a board or committee burdened by multiple priorities. Sometimes there is disagreement among the group on a solution. The garden may suffer. 

When the maintenance is done outside the community it takes all the guesswork, planning and scheduling off the shoulders of residents.  They can enjoy their edibles without being pulled into the work of managing them.

Some residents and/or committee members may be horticultural experts, equally experienced with maintenance. However, if they don’t have the time, or have conflicting loyalties, it could impede the garden’s success.

If you choose to outsource the maintenance of your edible garden

Develop a garden maintenance scope of work that includes these basics.

  • Watering – either with irrigation or hand watering.  Keep in mind hand watering takes more time and will cost you more.
  • If irrigation, make sure your gardener understands how to program and troubleshoot problems.
  • Pruning – excess foilage helps direct their growth, let in light and helps protect from disease.  If they become overgrown it is harder to access air and nutrients. 
  • Thinning -this is important so that each plant has sufficient space to grow and mature.
  • Weeding
  • Fertilizing – type of fertilizer and frequency will depend on the plants.
  • Monitor for pests.  One of the most importanta components of managing pests – is monitoring.
  • Composting. As a top dressing. This will keep the soil healthy.

Do

  • Interview contenders
  • Obtain references
  • Set and adhere to timelines for making your decision and for a start date.

How to grow the edibles pictured above

Right plant, right place, soil and water

It’s a new association in Oakland.  We recently planted strawberries, marigolds, artichokes, parsley, cilantro, and lettuces.
Below is a snapshot of how to grow them.

Strawberries

When to plant  depends on the variety.  Some can be planted in February through early spring.
Where to plant  They thrive in a California coastal climate
Light full sun.
Soil that drains well and they prefer acidic soil, but will grow in others.
Fertilization Once a week
Water   during fruit-bearing season water 2 to 4 days a week
Notes They are happier when planted in the ground rather than containers.

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful
Artichokes

When to plant  Late winter or early spring
Where to plant  They like cool coastal climate.   In a hot dry area you can plant them in partial shade.

Light  4-6 hours of sun daily
Soil  Loose fertile soil with organic matter added
Fertilization 
Monthly nitrogen fertilizer during spring and summer

Water  Regular deep watering
Notes 
Can be grown from seeds or starts from a nursery; can be damaged by frequent hard frosts

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful
Parsley

When to plant  Early spring or late fall.
Where to plant near your kitchen.

Light  6 hours of sun daily.
Soil  Any kind, but must drain well.
Fertilization
Container plants will need more frequent fertilizing.

Water  Keep soil evenly moist.
Notes 
Harder to grow by seed.  Best to purchase starts from a nursery; they are a biennial
.

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful
Lettuce

When to plant  Depends in the type. Early spring or fall, but can be grown year-round.  Best grown by transplants.
Light  6 hours of sun daily.
Soil  Loose soil that drains well.
Fertilization 
Adequate nitrogen.  Adding compost will improve growing conditions.

Water  Regular watering.
Notes 
Harvest in the morning.  It will be crisper.

2 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful

It’s About Having a Successful Vegetable Garden

If your apartment or homeowner’s association is in an urban part of the San Francisco Bay area, you may choose to have residents take on the care of your edible garden. It may be a big success and enhance the social interaction between residents.  Or, your multifamily community may opt to have an independent contractor maintain your garden for reasons discussed above. Whatever you do, let us know about your experiences.  

Our Sources

  • SF Gate – multiple editions
  • Master Gardeners – multiple articles

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on X
  • Share by Mail
https://www.gardenersguild.com/wp-content/uploads/BaxterBwayVegGarden.jpg 442 768 Gardeners Guild https://www.gardenersguild.com/wp-content/uploads/Gardeners-Guild-logo-web-tweak.png Gardeners Guild2019-04-11 16:44:022019-04-11 17:01:082 Reasons this Urban Multifamily Community Vegetable Garden is Successful
You might also like
5 Trends for Commercial & Home Gardens in 2019
Bella Vista Apartments Enjoy Big Water Savings!
Sheet Mulching in a Richmond California Landscape
Color at Ghirardelli Square
Should You Replace or Rejuvenate Your Plants?
Rebuilding Soil Organically
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Get the latest news and expert advice about landscape trends, water conservation, low maintenance gardens, tree care and more.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Latest Posts

  • 4 Landscape Trends in California Shaped by Climate Change
  • We deliver Poinsettias to San Francisco and Marin County offices
  • Expert Advice on Protecting Your Plants From Extreme Heat
  • How to Control Pests in the Landscape Naturally
  • 4 Landscape Trends in California Shaped by Climate Change

Categories

  • Blog (6)
  • Commercial Landscapes (75)
  • Drought (12)
  • Edible Gardening (1)
  • Integrated Pest Management (1)
  • Interior Plants (23)
  • Irrigation & Water Management (39)
  • Landscape Design (25)
  • Landscape Drainage (7)
  • Landscaper San Francisco Bay Area (117)
  • LEED (3)
  • Organic Soil Amendments (10)
  • Rain (4)
  • Rebuilding Soil (20)
  • Residential Landscaping (28)
  • Richmond California (12)
  • Richmond Landscaper (29)
  • San Francisco Bay Area Irrigation (10)
  • San Francisco Bay Area Landscape (7)
  • San Francisco Street Trees (2)
  • San Francisco Tree Maintenance (3)
  • San Francisco Trees (3)
  • SF Bay Area Container Gardening (3)
  • SF Bay Area Mosquito Protection (2)
  • Sustainability (9)
  • Tree Care (2)
  • Water Conservation (8)
  • Wildfire Safety (3)
  • Winter Vegetable Gardening Bay Area (3)
  • Zika SF Bay Area (1)

100% Employee Owned

Get a Quote
Join Our Team

Or call us at 510-439-3700

Copyright © 2022 Gardeners’ Guild Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Blog

January 13, 2025

4 Landscape Trends in California Shaped by Climate Change

November 21, 2024

We deliver Poinsettias to San Francisco and Marin County offices

August 8, 2024

Expert Advice on Protecting Your Plants From Extreme Heat

Subscribe

Get expert advice and the latest news from landscape industry insiders.  We cover both commercial and residential landscapes.  Includes special reports and news about landscape trends, water conservation, low maintenance gardens, tree care and plants.

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Scroll to top