Hi sundack, Your calcs are correct. The one inch rule is for lawns at their peak growth condition. Check the other forums for the water needs for garden plants. You also would be starting, growing and harvesting at the same time for different plants. Your water need will be variable. Plants need less when they have small root systems and more when they have big root systems. What is the source from and what kind of delivery system and storage will feed the plots and who pays for water and the irrigation infrastructure? Just curious, you are tackling a great project with good eating as the reward. Nothing better. I assume your large plot will be divided into numerous community plots. Weeds will be the big factor as everyone gardens differently. Mulch, mulch, mulch Aloha.

I would suggest you search the internet and contact professional worm farms. They may be able to help give you estimates, as they do this on a large scale themselves. They could also help with advice on systems, where to obtain supplies, and could also supply you with worms. Hope this helps.

You can always try craigslist under the "free" section. There usually will be people who have a pile of dirt or soil for free if you haul it. Also there will be horse folks that may have piles of compost for free. Some will even load it for you. The city of Norman has all the compost you can load for free. Or they can load a trailer load for 10 bucks. But that is for Norman residents. Any chance you know someone who lives in Norman? Other than that there are some materials yards and private truck drivers that will bring exactly what you want, but this is usually expensive. Also, tree trimmers might dump a load of ground up trees for free if you need mulch. Never hurts to call and ask.

Hello our organization which is The Lima-Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership (LACNIP), IN Lima Ohio has started a community gardens project. These are gardens, in which participants from neighborhood associations in our city can grow vegetables, in order to promote a sustainable food source in our city. We are looking for anyone who would be willing to donate any kinds of seeds for our gardens project that we are trying to promote for our city. We have great visions for making this project a success, but we are also looking for anyone who would be willing to donate some seeds to help us with this community project, endeavor. If you are willing to do so, please send them to: LACNIP, 1440 West Spring Street, Lima, Ohio 45804. Your donation is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU.