Grow Your Own: Backyard & Community Gardening

APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR 2024. WATCH FOR THEM AGAIN IN DECEMBER!

What

Grow your own food!

Participants in this program receive all the basics to start a 5’x 20’ garden plot for free! Gardeners may either use their own backyards if suitable, or space in one of our Oak Ridge Community Gardens. This is your garden, designed by you and with your goals in mind. We are here as a tool to help you achieve them! 

NEW this year is an Education Only option for gardeners who are interested in being a part of a gardening community and attending workshops. You will follow along with each of the workshops in the program and be included on all communications, but you will not be required to meet with the garden coach and will not receive supplies (although we can help you coordinate purchasing them). You will be required to attend the mandatory meetings and submit harvest totals.  

  • MONTHLY workshops & visits with the garden coach.

  • Daily - Check on your garden to weed and water! Cover your crops in the cold. Uncover them in the afternoon. You may need to do this over the weekends too. 

  • Bi-Weekly - Weigh and track your harvest and report it as part of the program.

Who

Gardens must be planted in Oak Ridge, either in Oak Ridge backyards, or Oak Ridge Community Gardens. All are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to SNAP/EBT recipients.

When

Starting in January 2024! Participants will be required to attend 8 workshops, including the 6 Grow Appalachia classes that cover gardening from planning to harvest. The program and classes will begin in December and end roughly around the first fall frost date in October.

Please email programs@growoakridge.org if you have any questions

Program Specifics

Participants will receive all of the basics to start a garden plot, including organic seeds and starters, organic fertilizers, organic pest and disease control, hand tools, material for row covers, and help with tilling up new gardens if needed.

Our garden coach will visit each gardener personally at the beginning of the season and once a month during the growing season, and will be available to discuss questions over the phone. Participants must attend the required courses, do assigned readings and tasks, meet with the garden coach monthly, and submit harvest totals.

Workshop Schedule:

  1. Introductory Meeting to the program - Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6 PM

  2. Garden Planning - Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 6 PM

  3. Garden Planting - Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 6 PM 

  4. Garden Maintenance - Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 6 PM

  5. Harvest and Heart Healthy Cooking - Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 6 PM

  6. Food Preservation - Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 9 AM

  7. Season Extension and Fall Gardening - Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 6 PM

  8. Potluck and Closing Stories – Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free Catered Main Dish, plus potluck from our gardeners.

    *workshops subject to change depending on speaker availability