A quick update on my experience, for those who might be googling and are unsure about starting a plot... In general, I don't think this has been a good year for gardening in the midwest. Lots of rain early on! My summer squash are doing well, as are my tomatillos, but other than that everything is quite slow. I've gotten a few cucumbers and peppers, and my corn seems to be doing well. I think my tomatoes have blight, and I've noticed tons and tons of cucumber beetles. One of our plot neighbors says that in the evenings, the deer come out of the surrounding woods, wait until there aren't any more people left, and then just swarm! They have definitely gotten the best of my broccoli. There are quite a few plots that have been given up on, so there are lots of weeds everywhere. BUT, even though it's been more difficult than just gardening in containers on my porch, I do think I've learned a lot. I started out trying to do it with minimal fertilizers and insecticides, but learned quickly that it's worth a few bucks to invest in that stuff. I think I'll try to figure out a good mulch to use a bit earlier next year. I might also go for two plots instead of just one (20x20), as I think the rewards might be a bit greater with more plants and more space per plant. My favorite thing is to walk around and check out everyone else's gardens and see what is working for them! It also helps me not to get too frustrated, as it seems that no one is having a good tomato year.

I have several varieties of beans, honeydew melon, yellow squash, basil and holy basil if you can send me a self addressed stamped bubble envelope and some of each of your seeds. Do you know what variety of wisteria you have? Some of it is very invasive here. Also check out The Garden Hoard. You send in a two stamped envelope and you get six packs of seeds. You need to pick out 8 kinds of seeds you want. The only thing is you might have to wait 3 months to get them!

Hello Bev and all, Thanks for your great advice, especially the suggested varieties. I'll be sure to share it with all the people involved. I will absolutely be at that Seedy Saturday. My information regarding London Community Gardens is the plots must be rented. The core of the initiative is 'food for all' and as the Crouch community is comprised of a low-income demographic, we are currently exploring other avenues and methodologies. Still a great resource, thank you. This idea was just sparked about a week ago by a conversation between my supervisor, a patron, and myself. All programing funds for this fiscal year are already accounted for, but my supervisor is working hard to attempt to secure some funding - which will probably go to the cost of building the garden itself, should we get approval. For right now our seed capital (pardon the pun) is what Crouch staff and community members have generously donated. Some of the more experienced gardeners in the area have impressed upon me seeds should have been started already, so I admit I'm going in enthusiastic but clumsy, with some sense of urgency. I apologize for the poor etiquette, and can only hope to redeem my faux pas by offering to reciprocate next year if all goes well. As we don't have a web page yet (but great idea, Bev!) I'll tell interested parties a bit more about what the plan is so far: We currently have approval to set up seed stations for people in the community to come and plant seeds in newspaper pots the kids have made. They can then take them home to sprout. (This idea was researched on the yougrowgirl.com blog and newspaper pots were found on ehow.com.) I just got a donation of soil this evening, so the first seed station will be tomorrow! We are in the process of getting approval to run a donated grow light in the corner of the library. We will then run kids programs where they can plant the seeds and care for them. We'll have an educational component with book displays by the unit. In mid-May they can take them home or leave them at the library. For the seedlings that are left, we hope to have approval for a free garden. Then we could run programs to plant and care for it. If we are not able to start the free garden, then the seedlings will be given away at the annual Crouch Plant Exchange to people in the community on May 15. During this time, the Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre is co-ordinating the efforts of the Dillabough community garden, and I'll be working with Jacquie Carr from the CNRC to put together information and try coordinate some efforts. At this stage, I'm not sure exactly what these efforts will look like, but Jacquie and I are very excited. Thank you, everyone, for your interest. If anyone is curious or has more ideas to share, please contribute. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Jenna

Well said justaguy2. I suggest not screwing and unscrewing if you don't have to. You'll increase longevity if you just leave as is. The frame won't be that heavy at all. As for holes, not sure, maybe someone will have a suggestion. Off the top of my head I'd say an ice pick or something that wouldn't turn into a "rip" if that would even happen, maybe Xs would be fine with a knife. If you do line with no bottom, consider corner drainage instead of directly in the bottom center area. Maybe you could even build the box, line the box, fill with soil, and then drill some holes in the sides along the bottom. Just an idea... Sounds like all you need to do is get started!