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Resources


Garden Design

Community Garden Design Ideas
Accessible Gardening

Getting Answers to Your Gardening Questions

General Resources
Polk County Extension
Land Records
Farmer’s Markets
ISU Extension Publications
Gardening with Native Plants

Supplies

Wood Chips
Compost
Plants
Community Services
Extra Tools for Workdays
Garden Supply Wishlist
Soil Testing
Des Moines Community Garden Coalition
Home Recycling Exchange
Habitat for Humanity ReStore


 

Garden Design

Community Garden Design Ideas
Start new gardens with an idea that fits
the surroundings and the group’s purpose.


Intensive Food Production
Maximum yield from limited space
Narrow paths and vertical growing
Composting area

Neighborhood Entrance
Floral greeting
Include garden components for year-around interest
Choose plants compatible with problem areas

Edible landscape
Food production and community enhancement
Vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs
Plant unusual varieties and combinations

The Gathering Place
Comfortable seating in shade and sun
Sand box, bulletin board, swings
Wide paths to encourage people to walk through
Accommodate people with special needs
Tables, grill area
Groups to meet there

Art Garden
Sculptures included in garden area
Beds design in specific shapes

Small Space Sites
Create visually cohesive project throughout the neighborhood
Areas unified by color, plant types, material use
Sloped beds
Containers, window boxes, or front yard gardens

Pocket Parks
Develop vacant lots into pocket park
Relaxation site and/or active recreation
Arbors
Shrubs or trees to screen sights and sounds

Community Vegetable Gardens
Individual plots
Communal lot
Composting area
Wide paths
Rented sites
Shared equipment

Accessible Gardens
Wide brick or crushed brick paths
Raised beds
Shaded areas
Youth Garden
Small individual vegetable plots
Plant diverse crops
Recruit flexible and patient instructor
See “theme ideas”

Market Garden
Carefully choose crops-spring, summer, fall harvest
Develop connections with local farmers
Attend local farmer’s markets
Develop urban subscribers
Develop a niche of crops- herbs, organically grown produce, etc.
Know the population you are selling to- what culturally specific foods do they eat?

Gardens for wildlife
Prairie plants, native grasses and wildflowers
Butterfly gardens
Wetlands and ponds
Woodlands

Theme Gardens:
• Pizza garden
• Salsa garden
• Maize maze
• Sunflower house
• Rainbow garden
• Red garden (everything planted is red or whatever color)
• Salad garden
• Soup garden such as potato soup
• Underground garden-planting only root crops
• P-patch-plants that start with the letter “p”
• Garden for the hungry-extra rows for food pantries
• Grow your own sign-spell things out with plants
• Bean tee-pee
• Pumpkin patch
• Sundial- using rocks or bricks
• Sensory garden-things to see, smell, hear and taste
• Tea garden-mint, bee balm, and chamomile
• Herb garden
• Country gardens- design the bed in the shape of a country and grow only plants that come from that country
• Ethnic garden- groups represented can be broad categories such as Asian- American, European- American, African- American, Central American, etc.

Accessible Gardening
(Information from:
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6757.html
and from Accessible Gardening for People with Disabilities by Janeen Adil and Accessible Gardening by Joann Woy)

Creating an accessible garden can allow you to include a wider variety of people in your gardening effort. Some suggestions for making your garden more accessible can be found below. For more information, check the website.

Accessible Garden Containers

1) Raised beds – Try growing vegetables that require a lot of weeding

2) Boxes and pots – Try growing bush-type peas, beans, cucumbers, kale, broccoli, lettuce, beets, carrots, onions, lettuce, leeks, turnips, kohlrabi, corn, or zucchini

3) Hanging baskets – Try growing cascading or trailing plants like nasturtiums and ivy geraniums, vegetables such as whippersnapper and tumbler hybrid cherry tomatoes, salad bush hybrid cucumbers, pot hybrid sweet peppers, or herbs such as rosemary

4) Table planters – Try plants listed under “Boxes and Pots.” Remember not to select plants with extensive root system.

5) Deep boxes, barrels, and tubs – Try using as miniature raised beds for flowers, vegetables, and herbs

Considerations for Creating an Accessible Garden

Water
Make sure that water is available, close to the garden site, and in a paved area so the ground does not get muddy. Place the spigot at 24 to 36 inches above ground and use hand levers (not round spigot handles) and snap connectors. Soaker hoses and mulch will also reduce watering needs in the garden.

Plant Choice
There are many new varieties of plants that are appropriate for the accessible garden container. Look for plants listed as Îcompactâ (e.g. "Pixie" tomatoes). Compact plants will typically be more suitable for container growing smaller and easier to reach if you use a wheelchair. Also look for tall plants or vines that reach a certain height, thus making them good choices for growing on poles, stakes, and trellises. Choose flowers not only according to their light requirements and shape, but also by their colors, textures, and fragrances.

Paved Surfaces
Garden path surfaces must be firm, smooth, level, and provide traction. The grade of the path should be between 5 and 8 percent. Provide direct routes throughout the garden. Use edge guides if you have ambulating and/or visual disabilities. Audible water features and wind chimes also help orient you through the garden. One-way traffic needs a five-foot minimum width to accommodate the turning radius of a wheelchair. Two-way traffic requires a seven-foot minimum width.

Tools

Gardening tools may present one of the biggest obstacles to persons with physical disabilities. It is difficult to use ordinary, full-sized shovels, hoes, rakes, and other implements if you are using a wheelchair, a power scooter, or a walker. If you have limited hand strength or mobility, using trowels, pruning shears, and other small tools can be awkward and even painful. Special tools for people with physical disabilities are available. Also, many common tools can be easily adapted for better use. Be creative! See pictures below for some ideas for adapting tools. For more information, see Accessible Gardening: Tips & Techniques for Seniors and the Disabled by Joann Woy.

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Getting Answers to Your Gardening Questions

General Resources

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Polk County Extension

Polk County Extension can provide:

  • Publications (see “ISU Extension Publication” section of this publication)
  • Master gardeners to lead gardening classes or demonstrations
  • Answers to your questions through the Hort Line or other means (see “Answers to your Questions” section of this publication)
  • Soil tests (see “Soil Testing” section of this publication)
  • Nutritionists to do demonstrations or classes about preparing food from your garden and general nutrition
  • 4-H programming.

Go to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ polk/homepage.html .

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Land Records

If you are interested in starting a community garden, one of the first things that you need to know is who owns the land you want to use. You can find this and other detailed information about the property you are interested in at the Polk County assessors website ( http://www.assess.co.polk.ia.us/ ).

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Farmer’s Markets

You can buy fresh produce as well as market your own garden produce at various farmers’ markets in Des Moines and the surrounding area. Here is a listing of the possibilities.


Name of Market: Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market
Contact Person: Kelly Egenberger
Address: 4th & Court Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50309
Web Address: www.desmoinesdt.com
E-Mail Address: events@desmoinesdt.com
Phone Number: (515) 243-6625
Location: 4th & Court Avenues
Accept WIC (Y/N): Yes
Open: May - Oct.
Days and Hours Open:Sat.: 7:00 a.m.-noon

Name of Market: Drake Neighborhood Market
Contact Person: Ginny Gieseke
Address: 2500 University Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone Number: (515) 277-6951
Location:1st Christian Church
Accept WIC (Y/N): Yes
Open: June - Sept.
Days and Hours Open: Wed. 4:00 pm-7:00 pm

Name of Market: Ingersoll Farmers Market
Contact Person: Bev Thomas
Address:1001 Office Park Road, #105
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Phone Number: (515) 440-6057
Location: 2700 Ingersoll-Office Max parking lot
Accept WIC (Y/N): No
Open: June - Sept.
Days and Hours Open Tues. 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

Name of Market: Valley Junction Farmers Market
Contact Person: J.D. Mullen
Address: 217 5th Street
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Web Address: www.valleyjunction.com
Phone Number: (515) 222-3642
Location: 100 200 & 300 blocks of 5th Street
Accept WIC (Y/N): Yes
Open: May - Sept.
Days and Hours Open: Thurs.4:00 pm-8:00 pm

Name of Market: All Iowa Farmers Market
Contact Person: Dean Gatton
Address: 619 Broad Street
Story City, IA 50248
Phone Number: (515) 733-6071
Location: Living History Farms-2600 111th St.
Accept WIC (Y/N): No
Open: June - Oct.
Days and Hours Open: Tues.: 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Name of Market: Downtown Urbandale Farmers Market
Contact Person: Frank Glas
Phone Number: (515) 276-1800
Location Parking lot of Welter Office Supply
Accept WIC (Y/N): No
Open: May - Sept.
Days and Hours Open: Mon. 3:00 pm-7:00 pm

Name of Market: Urbandale Farmers Market
Contact Person: Bryan Etchen
Address: 9875 Meredith Drive
Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone Number: (515) 276-0852
Location: Parking lot of Iowa Orchard
Accept WIC (Y/N): Yes
Open: June - Oct.
Days and Hours Open: Thurs.: 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Name of Market: Johnston Farmers Market
Contact Person: Judy Anderson
Address: 5985 NW 61st Avenue
Johnston, IA 50131
Phone Number: (515) 278-0939
Location; City Hall parking lot-Northwest 62d & Merle Hay Road
Accept WIC (Y/N): Yes
Open: May - Oct.
Days and Hours Open: Tues.: 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Name of Market: Metro Market
Location: 20th and Woodland
Open: year round
Days and Hours Open: Fri. –Sat.: 9am – 7pm

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Iowa State University Extension Gardening Publications

All publications are available online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/ga.htm .
To order publications, contact the ISU Extension Distribution Center:
119 Printing and Publications Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-3171
Telephone: (515) 294-5247
Fax: (515) 294-2945

Contact the Distribution Center by E-mail at pubdist@iastate.edu. Please include publication title and ID number in your message. A downloadable order form that you can print also is available. It is in .pdf format. After printing it, you can fill it out and mail it or fax it to the address above. Minimal fees are charged for multiple copies of publications and for single copies of publications of more than four pages. Shipping and handling charges may also be charged but are usually minimal as well.


ID Number Publication Title

EDC 20 Horticulture & Home Pest News [February 1995]
IAN 303 Iowa's Plants Series - Benefits and Dangers of Iowa Plants [September 1994]
IAN 305 Iowa's Plants Series - Seeds, Nuts, and Fruits of Iowa Plants [September 1994]
IAN 306 Iowa's Plants Series - Mushrooms and Nonflowering Plants [September 1994]
NCR 461 Ornamental Grasses for the Midwest ordering information [November 1992]
PD 31 Plant Disease Identification Form [Revised February 2002]
PM 666 Weed Management in the Home Garden [September 1996]
PM 683 Composting Yard Waste [March 1993]
PM 815 2003 Garden Calendar ordering information [Revised Aug. 2002]
PM 874 Starting garden transplants at home [Revised June 2003 ]
PM 1204 Morels, false morels, and other cup fungi ordering information [Revised March 1996]
PM 1357 Guide to plant societies and associations [Revised January 2002]
PM 1542 Tips for Providing Plant and Insect Samples to ISU [April 1998]
PM 1644 Hardy Perennials: Ferns ordering information [November 2002]
PM 1692 Community Supported Agriculture: Local Food Systems for Iowa [December 1996]
PM 1693 Community Supported Agriculture: Iowa CSA Farms and Organizers [Revised July 2003]
PM 1777 Master Gardener brochure [December 1999]
RG 104 Horticulture Publications [January 2002 ]
RG 105 Garden Tips: Guidelines to Seasonal Chores [July 2002 ]
RG 201 Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens [April 1999]
RG 202 Understand Pesticide Labeling [September 1995]
RG 203 Choose Pesticides Wisely [September 1995]
RG 204 Apply Pesticides Safely [September 1995]
RG 205 Store Pesticides Safely [September 1995]
RG 206 Questions About Composting [Reprinted March 1997]
RG 207 Nonchemical Pest Control for the Home Lawn and Garden [September 1996]
RG 208 Botanical Insecticides in the Home Garden [September 1996]
RG 209 Organic Mulches for Gardens and Landscape Plantings [June 1997]
RG 212 Pollinators in the Garden [November 2002 ]
RG 401 Ornamental Grasses for Winter Interest [Electronic version July 2000]
RG 601 Gardening for Butterflies [Revised March 2002]
RG 603 Iowa Butterfly and Caterpillar Food Preferences [Revised July 2003 ]
RG 604 Water Gardens: Aquatic Plants [April 2003 ]
RG 703 Lichens [September 2002]
RG 901 Insect Investigator [June 2002]
RG 902 Plant Zoo [May 2002]
ST 11 Soil sample information sheet for horticulture crops [Revised September 2002]
SUL 12 Using Mulches in Managed Landscapes [August 2001 ]

Flowers
IAN 301 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Spring Wildflowers [September 1994]
IAN 302 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Summer and Fall Wildflowers [September 1994]
PM 1319 Forcing Flower Bulbs [December 1999]
PM 1925 Growing Dahlias ordering information [July 2003 ]
RG 301 Growing Annual Flowers in Containers [Revised March 2001]
RG 302 Edible Flowers [Revised September 2000]
RG 303 Daylilies [Revised April 2003]
RG 304 Late Season Perennial Flowers [Reprinted July 2002]
RG 305 Growing Chrysanthemums in the Garden [Revised September 2001]
RG 306 Delphiniums [June 1997 ]
RG 307 Clematis [Revised July 2001]
RG 309 The Griffith Buck Roses [Revised July 2002]
RG 310 Caring For Roses in Iowa [Electronic version July 2000]
RG 311 Growing and Overwintering Tender Perennials [November 2001 ]
RG 312 Suggested Daffodil Cultivars for Iowa [April 1997]
RG 313 Growing Garden Lilies [May 2002]
RG 314 Growing Petunias [January 2003]
RG 315 Dahlias [Revised June 2003]
RG 316 Poinsettia Care [Revised December 2002]
RG 317 Annual Vines [February 2002]
RG 318 Early Spring Blooming Perennials [December 2001]
RG 319 When To Divide Perennials [November 2001]
RG 320 Growing and Overwintering Garden Geraniums [November 2001 ]
RG 321 Miniature Roses [April 2003 ]
RG 323 Cannas for Home Landscapes [May 2002]
RG 601 Gardening for Butterflies [July 1999]
RG 602 Perennials For Shady Areas [Revised September 2000]
RG 903 Where in the World? [Revised June 2003]
SUL 8 Crown Rot - Hosta [February 2000]

Fruit
PM 719 Rhubarb in the Home Garden [Revised June 1998]
PM 1282 2003 Commercial Tree Fruit Guide [January 2003 ]
PM 1707 Growing Grapes in the Home Garden [ May 1997]
PM 1887 Selling Fruits and Vegetables [April 2002]
PM 1887(S) Cómo Vender Frutas y Verduras [March 2002]
PM 1892 Melons [June 2003]
RG 501 Pruning Raspberries [September 1995 ]
RG 502 Pruning Grapevines [May 1997] 98K RG 503 Growing Blueberries in Iowa [April 2003 ]

Houseplants
PM268 How to Air Layer a Houseplant [Revised May 2001]
PM 713a Foliage house plants [Reprinted December 1996]
PM 713b Flowering house plants [Reprinted December 1996]
PM 713c Succulents as house plants [Reprinted September 1993]
PM 713f Soil for houseplants [Revised December 2001]
PM 713g Diagnosing house plant problems [Reprinted March 1991]
RG-308 Growing Holiday Cacti [October 1996]
RG 316 Poinsettia Care [March 2001]

Lawn, Shrubs, Trees
IAN 304 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Trees [September 1994]
IAN 307 Iowa's Plants Series - Iowa's Shrubs and Vines [September 1994]
PM 482 Oak Wilt [November 1987 ]
PM 930 Home Lawn Care: Weed Control [Revised September 1994]
PM 1063 Turfgrass Management Calendar: Kentucky Bluegrass Lawns [September 1996]
PM 1304 Pruning shade and flowering trees [Reprinted September 1993]
PM 1383 Identification of Conifer Trees in Iowa [Revised May 1996]
PM 1384 Identification of Hardwood Trees in Iowa [Revised May 1996]
PM 1392 Iowa "Don't Bag It" Lawn Care [Reprinted March 1997]
PM 1429a Community Trees: Establishing a Community Tree Program [Revised February 1999]
PM 1429b Community Trees: Tree Ordinances for Iowa Communities [December 1999 ]
PM 1429c Community Trees: Sample Tree Ordinances for Iowa Communities [Revised January 1998]
PM 1429d Community Trees: Low-growing Trees for Urban and Rural Iowa [Revised October 1996]
PM 1429e Community Trees: Street Trees for Iowa [Revised October 1998]
PM 1429f Community Trees: Powerlines and Trees [April 1997]
PM 1487 Modifying Soils in Iowa Lawns and Gardens [Revised September 1998]
PM 1591 Community Tree Planting and Care Guide [October 1998]
PM 1676 Tree Planting: Planning [August 1996 ]
PM 1677 Tree Planting: Establishment and Care [August 1997]
PM 1680 Nonchemical Alternatives for the Home Lawn [September 1996]
PM 1749 Tips for Athletic Field Management on a Limited Budget [April 1998]
PM 1755 Understanding Thatch in the Home Lawn [April 1998]
PM 1812 The Forest Where Ashley Lives [February 2001]
RG 209 Organic Mulches for Gardens and Landscape Plantings [June 1997]
RG 701 Iowa's Oaks [April 2000]
RG 702 Guidelines for Selecting Trees [July 1996]
RG 704 Growing Rhododendrons and Azaleas in Iowa [May 2003]
SUL 1 Understanding the Effects of Flooding on Trees [June 1994]
SUL 6 Managing Storm-Damaged Trees [January 1999 ]
SUL 9 Pine Wilt [February 2000]
SUL 11 Fungal Cankers of Trees [August 2001 ]
WL-47 Rabbit Damage to Tree Plantings [Reprinted September 1994]

Vegetables and Herbs
PM 534 Planting and Harvesting Times for Garden Vegetables [Revised August 1999]
PM 534 (S) El horario para la siembra y cosecha de las hortalizas [October 2002 ]
PM 607 Suggested Vegetable Varieties For the Home Garden [Revised May 2002]
PM 608 Tomatoes [Revised May 2002]
PM 608 (S) Tomates [September 2002]
PM 731 Harvesting and Storing Vegetables [Revised December 2002]
PM 814 Where to Put Your Vegetable Garden [Revised July 1999]
PM 814 (S) Dónde sembrar su huerto doméstico [October 2002 ]
PM 819 Planting a Home Vegetable Garden [January 1996]
PM 870A Small Plot Vegetable Gardening [Revised September 2001]
PM 870A(S) El huerto de hortalizas en parcelas pequeñas [March 2002 ]
PM 870B Container Vegetable Gardening [Revised July 2000]
PM 870B (S) Las hortalizas en recipientes [March 2002 ]
PM 994 Asparagus in the Home Garden [Revised November 2000]
PM 1049 Curcurbit Diseases-An Aid to Identification and Control [November 1993]
PM 1887 Selling Fruits and Vegetables [April 2002]
PM 1887(S) Cómo Vender Frutas y Verduras [March 2002]
PM 1888 Peppers [September 2002]
PM 1888(S) Chiles [October 2002]
PM 1889 Onions [August 2002]
PM 1889(S) Cebollas [September 2002]
PM 1890 Potatoes [December 2002]
PM 1890(S) Papas [June 2003]
PM 1891 Sweet Corn [November 2002]
PM 1892 Melons [June 2003]
PM 1893 Cilantro (English & Spanish) [April 2003]
PM 1894 Garlic [February 2003]
PM 1895 Tomatillos [April 2003]
PM 1896 Cole crops [June 2003]
RG-201 Integrated Pest Management for Vegetable Gardens [April 1999]
G-201(S) El manejo integrado de plagas para los huertos de hortalizas [September 2002 ]
RG 801 Growing & Using Basil [Revised July 2003]

To order publications, contact the ISU Extension Distribution Center:
119 Printing and Publications Building
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011-3171
Telephone: (515) 294-5247
Fax: (515) 294-2945

Contact the Distribution Center by E-mail at pubdist@iastate.edu . Please include publication title and ID number in your message. A downloadable order form that you can print also is available. It is in .pdf format. After printing it, you can fill it out and mail it or fax it to the address above.


All materials are available online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/pubs/ga.htm .

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Gardening with Native Plants

Local resources for rain garden information:
City of Des Moines Park and Recreation Department – 515-237-8907, www.dmparks.org

  • Free Rain Garden Toolkits containing a “How to make your own rain garden” manual, a video, local information, and more are available for download online or by contacting the Parks Department
    Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) – 515-964-1883
    Urban Resources and Borderland Alliance Network (URBAN) – 515-964-1883
    Watershed University (Metro Waste Authority) – 515-244-0021
  • Grants for (up to $2,500 per project) to schools, businesses, public and private groups/clubs, and neighborhood associations for projects with an environmental focus, from litter clean-ups to school recycling programs are available. See http://www.mwatoday.com/abo_grant.html for more details.


Lists of native rain garden plants that will work well in Iowa can be found at http://prrcd.org/inl/recommended_plants.htm

Local resources for native gardening information:
Public Lands Department (located at Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge) – 515-994-3400
Iowa Prairie Network – www.iowaprairienetwork.org
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge – 515-994-3400

  • Education staff is available for field trip programming at the refuge. Additionally, they offer training in the “Project Bluestem” curriculum. This is an interactive curriculum designed for integrating native plantings into classroom curriculum. Refuge staff will train teachers and provide you with a copy of the curriculum in CD-rom form. See http://www.tallgrass.org/ activities.html for examples.

Local native plant suppliers:

Ion Exchange Native Seed and Plant Nursery
1878 Old Mission Drive
Harpers Ferry, IA 52146-7533
800-291-2143
www.ionxchange.com

Reeves Wildflower Nursery
28431 200th Street
Harper, IA 52231
888-411-9767
rayreeves@lisco.com

Prairie Moon Nursery
Route 3 Box 1633
Winona, MN 55987-9515
866-417-8156
www.prairiemoonnursery.com

Missouri Wildflowers Nursery
9814 Pleasant Hill Road
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-496-3492
www.mowildflowers.net

Heard Gardens Ltd.
8000 Raccoon River Drive
West Des Moines, IA 50266
515-987-0800 x204
lynnkuhn@heardgardens.com

Local landscape architects who design rain gardens:

SVPA Architects Inc.
Kent Zarley
1466 28th Street, Suite 200
West Des Moines, IA 50266
Phone: 515-327-5990
E-Mail: K-Zarley@SVPA-ARCHITECTS.COM
Web Site: www.SVPA-ARCHITECTS.COM

Dunbar-Jones PLC
104 Southwest 4th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
Phone: 515-280-8026
E-Mail: tdunbar@dunbarjones.com

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Supplies

Wood Chips

Tree removal companies will often drop off wood chips if they are removing trees in your neighborhood area. If you need wood chips, try calling these companies and ask if they are working in your area. Additionally, the City of Des Moines Park and Recreation Department delivers woodchips to community groups for use on public land during the spring and fall. These woodchips may be requested by contacting the Urban Garden Program Coordinator at 515-323-8907 in February for March or April delivery.


Compost

Bulk quantities of compost are available for purchase from the Metro Compost Center on South East Harriet Street in Des Moines. Metro Waste Authority has information on compost sales for Central Iowa residents. To find out more visit: http://www.mwatoday.com/mwa_com.html .

Plants

You can sometimes get donated vegetable plants from garden centers especially after prime selling season. If you are looking for more plants, try calling garden centers and asking for donations.

Community Services

The Community Services Division of the Des Moines Community Development Department provides free vegetable plants, seeds, and tilling services to people over the age of 60 or people who meet federal poverty income guidelines. For materials or more information, contact the City Action Center at 283-4500.

Extra Tools for Workdays

The Tool Lending Library lends tools to members for a small membership fee. They have a variety of gardening tools available including rototillers, shredders, pruners, wheelbarrows, and shovels. The library is located at 1912 Sixth Avenue in Des Moines. They can be reached at 515-246-0010. Library hours are limited (currently 4-6 Monday through Friday), so call ahead. Gardens that are part of the Des Moines Community Gardening Coalition can receive free membership for use of gardening equipment.


Garden Supply Wish List
Some of the basic items you will need for your project.

 

 

Tools

Hand trowels
Spading forks
Hoes
Shovels
Spade
Garden rake
Wheel barrow
Pruning shears

Construction

Cold frame
Compost bin
Bench
Shed
Trellis

Supplies

Compost
Woodchips
Tomato cages
Hay bales
Garden markers
Gloves
Tape measure
Twine

Irrigation

Garden hoses
Soaker hoses
Watering cans
Water meter

 

 

Soil Testing

If you are interested in the quality of your soil, you can take a soil test after the frost disappears in the spring. Your local extension office can provide you with bags and forms for submitting garden soil samples for testing. A test will tell you soil pH, organic material, and other information essential to garden success. This information can be used to determine what types of fertilizer you should be using and whether or not your soil is safe for vegetable production. To take an accurate soil test, remove a small sample extending from the surface to a depth of 6 inches in at least 10 or more places form each are up to 10 acres in size. Mix thoroughly and fill sample bag with soil. For more information on submitting a soil sample, call 263-2660.

Des Moines Community Garden Coalition

The Parks Department can assist with project planning and coordination, help with site preparation and supplies, provide education on gardening, provide volunteer support and Americorps work crews, give advice on leadership and organization of a community garden, and provide publications such as Sprouts. Contact Urban Garden Program Coordinator at 323-8907 or TLDawson@dmgov.org for more information.

Home Recycling Exchange

Home Recycling Exchange, located at 805 E. 14th Ct. 515-282-9296, is a not-for-profit project that serves as an area wide clearing house for donations of new and salvaged building materials. Its aim is to help improve the housing situation of the poorest homeowners in the city by providing them with access to low-cost building materials. Local non-profit groups involved with housing improvements and helping the needy also have access to the materials in the HRE Warehouse. While all homeowners can buy HRE products, a client with a copy of their qualifying intake from your agency can get materials for free or next to nothing. HRE is a good place to find low-cost building materials for garden projects.


Habitat for Humanity ReStore

This company operates a retail location for surplus and salvaged building materials in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. To contact the ReStore, you can call 515-471-8686 or visit them at 2341 2nd Street (entrance is on Holcomb Ave.). Hours are as follows: Tuesday 1:30 – 3:30; Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday 1:30 – 6; and Saturday 8-3.

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