SDFCG Meeting Notes: Jan 18, 2026 - Online Meeting

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St Davids Foundation Community Garden

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Jan 19, 2026, 5:12:38 PM (9 days ago) Jan 19
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Here are the notes from the St David's Foundation Community Garden meeting yesterday evening. If you are a gardener and have any questions or additions, you can post them on our gardener Discord or email to the Garden admin address. 

Agenda & Discussion

Sunday Evening Online Meeting

  • This Sun evening meeting was in response to people requesting non-Sat morning meeting options. 

  • Will continue to explore best times to meet. Next meeting will be indoors but on Sat morning, location TBD


Garden Finances 

  • Corey shared details on current garden balances. 

  • Water usage for the last 3 months: 

    • Sep: $131.83

    • Oct: $213.13

    • Nov:$113.43  

Next Plot Inspections 

  • Announce Next Plot Inspections to take place Feb 7,8 (per contract schedule) 

  • Thanks to gardener who volunteered to help. 

  • Gardeners who do not pass will have until March 7 to clean up plots  

  • Generally garden plots are looking good but there are a few inactive ones. 


Language on Plastic: Continued discussion

Reviewed this suggested bylaws language from last month: 

  • “Plastic may be used temporarily for specific purposes like solarization or seasonal bed protection, provided it is intact, secured, and removed promptly once its purpose is complete to prevent breakdown in the soil. Any plastic showing signs of degradation must be removed, and its appropriate use will be checked as part of regular quarterly plot inspections.”

  • Multiple concerns raised during discussion:

    • Definition of "temporary" excludes legitimate structural uses like plot water retention barriers

    • Policy would technically prohibit PVC pipes used for structures and trellising

  • Hard plastic containers (pots, buckets) would be affected

    • Many practical uses exist: melon supports, rabbit barriers, garden edging, rebar safety caps

    • Affordability concerns - plastic enables accessible gardening options

    • Difficulty distinguishing between responsible use and problematic degradation

  • Vote deferred to next meeting for further policy refinement

Plastic Shed Removal

  • Agreed in the last meeting to post it on buy nothing. No interest in it. Can we post it on a wider

  • Corey will email city about this and include Agata. 

  • Thanks to Agata for helping in this project! 

Sharing Library Project 

  • Emma shared examples on Discord with inspiration for work. 

  • Proposed features:

    • Library for cookbooks and gardening books

    • Seed and garden produce sharing station

    • Succulent bed on top with proper drainage

    • Additional space at bottom for garden bed or sharing spot (possibly dog treats)

  • Ricardo offered potential design assistance

  • Emma will work on plans and budget before next meeting. Goal to finish by end of Feb.

Committee Updates: Compost, Trash & Recycling

  • Free pallets obtained from Moon Tower Cider Company for compost bin rebuild

  • Plan: rebuild first bin, transfer contents from second, then dismantle second and third bins

  • New design includes door flap at bottom to prevent spillage

  • Kelton and compost group to purchase chicken wire and screws; check behind shed for existing wire to reuse

  • Post completion photo on Facebook thanking Moon Tower

Outreach & Communication

  • 2 new welcome signs ordered - waiting to order more while we think about branding

  • Brittany and Corey connected after the meeting to get her Instagram Account access

  • Plan to coordinate social media posts thanking community partners like Moon Tower

Common Garden Areas (Polinator, Orchards, Welcome Garden, Pocket Prairie) 

  • Thanks to Sam for deep watering the orchard 

  • The NPG and other plots are looking good

  • Questions about the new watering system for the orchard - working well? 

Shed & Inventory

  • Reminder that we have hoses and  sprayers 

  • Additional need: Clippers? Do we have any? 

Maintenance

  •  Wheelbarrows - Our inventory of working wheelbarrows is low! 

    • There’s a cart in the shed that needs to be assembled. 

    • There are a lot of wheelbarrows that could be repaired.  

  • Benches - the planks are getting very broken down - another good project for someone to take on

  • Construction of new plots: 

    • Much progress made on the new plots. 

    • Need: 

      • Additional trenching before the spigot can be installed. We have all the supplies

      • Finish blocking off the boundaries and mulch

    • Longer Term = Raised Beds 

General Items

  • Freeze Reminders:

  • Gardener Dashboard: Corey screenshared the app that he has built to help with the community garden administration and Gardener Dashboard. 

  • The Gardener Dashboard includes: 

    • Info on your plots and garden partners

    • Work Hours Log

    • Inspection Reports and history 

    • Gardener Directory and Announcements

  • Feedback has been positive. We’ll continue to move to this to make it easier for gardeners to keep up with info. 

  • Create your login at: GardenCommunities.org (use the email associated with your contract)

  • Here’s a 2-min overview video of the Gardener Dashboard if you need more info. 


Announcements & Reminders

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