The Seasons Of A New Jersey Community Garden

Presented by Prof. Carolyn A. Gerdes, Spring 2026.
Focuses on the various seasonal activities and best practices for community gardening in New Jersey.

Provides information about plant survival due to extreme temperatures across different regions.
New Jersey is divided into several hardiness zones (5 to 7).
- Zone 5: Average Annual Extreme Minimum Temperature of $-10$ to $-20$ °F.
- Zone 6: Average Annual Extreme Minimum Temperature of $-5$ to $-10$ °F.
- Zone 7: Average Annual Extreme Minimum Temperature of $0$ to $-5$ °F.
Important for selecting plants based on temperature resistance (e.g., peppers and tomatoes).

Planning for the Upcoming Year:
- Use winter downtime to plan spring, summer, and fall gardens.
- Explore new catalogs for plants and gardening supplies.
- Check for sales and recruit new members if space allows.
Community Engagement:
- Form partnerships with local organizations and schools.
- Create a tentative schedule for garden activities.

Maintenance Tasks:
- Reorganize the garden shed.
- Sharpen blades on garden tools (mowers, pruners, saws).
- Service small engines to prepare for spring.
- Prune dormant trees and shrubs, weather permitting.

Preparation Activities:
- Prepare garden plots and add necessary soil amendments.
- Start seeds indoors for plants like peppers and tomatoes.
- Order seeds and set up rain barrels and hoses.
- Understand the frost-free date for your zone to avoid premature planting.
- Maintain vigilance against weeds and pruned flowering shrubs post-bloom.

Seasonal Transition:
- May marks the start of increased plant growth as soil warms.
- Deadhead spring-blooming bulbs but preserve foliage until yellowing.
- Fertilize plants and swap out cool-season vegetables for heat lovers.
- Gradually repot house plants outdoors as temperatures rise.

Key Maintenance:
- Be vigilant about weeds, pests, and diseases.
- Monitor temperature and rainfall.
- Time to harvest summer vegetables (e.g., squash, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes).
- Arrange for watering assistance from other gardeners if absent for extended periods.

Busy September Activities:
- Harvest fall crops (e.g., kale, beets, carrots, cauliflower, and cabbage).
- Consider direct sowing seeds for cool-season crops (e.g., lettuce, spinach).
- Plant bulbs for spring flowers in late October to early November.
- Move houseplants back indoors before frost risk, checking for pests.

Harvest and Preparation:
- Gather remaining herbs, fruits, and vegetables for preservation.
- Plant perennials, trees, and shrubs while ensuring ample water.
- Conduct a soil test and add amendments.
- Begin fall cleanup: composting garden debris (except diseased plants).
- Plant garlic and flower bulbs, dry and save seeds from favorites.

Best Practices:
- Plant garlic cloves root side down, $2$ inches deep with $2$ to $4$ inches between each.
- Prefer rich, well-drained soil.
- Cover with $1$ to $2$ inches of fine soil.
- Consider growing multiple varieties of garlic.
- In colder climates, use mulch for protection over winter.

Cleanup Tasks:
- Rake and start a new compost pile with non-diseased debris.
- Store away empty containers, garden tools, and decorations.
- Drain fuel from gas-powered tools and store hoses.
- Celebrate the harvest visually in the garden.

Winter Preparation:
- Certain bulbs (e.g., dahlias, calla lilies) may need to be dug up and stored.
- Dig bulbs after foliage withers to prevent disease and promote division.
- Complete digging before the first frost.

Storage Techniques:
- Proper storage is vital to avoid rot.
- Brush off excess soil and store in a cool, dry, dark area (ideal temperature: $39$ to $45$ °F).

Strategies for Outreach:
- Use word of mouth, social media, and community bulletin boards.
- Advertise in local newspapers and distribute flyers.
- Collaborate with local schools and organizations such as recreation centers.

Fostering Community Spirit:
- Engages community members in sustainable practices.
- Contributes towards diversity and promoting local food security.
- Raises awareness on health and wellness through gardening activities.