Community garden #2 (IL: Zone 5A)

[Dork Fish]

I know, I'm a little early this year. I am trying to forget all of the snow outside.

Well my first attempt at a community garden wasn't so great last year. Location wasn't as convenient as I thought.

So this year I am trying a community garden close to home. Unfortunately, there is no running water at this location. So I think I will try a gravity fed irrigation system. Anyone have any experience with this type of system?

Also, I was told that Midwest Organics, http://www.compostmatters.com/composting.asp donated all of the soil for the beds. This looks promising. I think they use a lot of Dairy manure. How should I approach this for the growing season. Should I avoid certain fertilizers as this may be high in nitrogen?

Each bed is 5' x 16', i think they are at least 6"+ from the ground. Not really sure, I haven't gone out to inspect the plots yet. I think they framed them with 2 x 6's?

I have attached a couple of PDF files of a rough scetch up of the plots and drip irrigation. Anyone have any suggestions, I am open. I am hoping to have a good year.

I have a few different approaches available but I am not sure which to take. LOL
I have a full gallon of Urban Farms Texas Tomato food. I also bought the Mittleider method micro nutrients. I think I may also have tomato tone. Which to use? hmmm

[macbettz]

Just a comment on irrigation practicality in general for your situation. If you have to lug the water there I am not sure i would be messing around with setting up irrigation hoses and fittings and maintaining a tank set up. Your plots look pretty manageable (small) so getting watered and weeded would take no time at all with a cup and a 5 gal bucket. Can you drive up close to your plots? maybe just haul water to the storage barrel and scoop out water. Good luck whatever you decide.

[Dork Fish]

They have a huge water storage tank with a hose. So I would just need to fill my storage tanks. Only reason I am going this direction, is so I don't spend a lot of time watering. I can just fill and leave. I have a young one that will be involved in sports. then dinner, then cleaning, etc. lol trying to keep it as simple as possible.

[cherokee]

With this small area if you can drive through the center with a riding mower I would consider using a 25 Gal. lawn care tow behind tank with a sprayer and pump I have one from Northern Tool. the pump is 12 volt will run off lawn mower battery and pumps on demand with a sprayer hose to reach each plant will save you a lot of labor / time in watering the pump pumps 2.2 GPM.
O'Neal

[Dork Fish]

I don't have a riding lawn mower.