Community Gardens

Northland Pines Community Garden is part of the VCYC.  Run by Vilas County Master Gardeners, the garden provides produce for area food pantries as well as for the community members and youth who work in it.  It is located next to Northland Pines High School.  Click to get an application to garden there, and go to their facebook page for more information and updates on what's growing!

CONTAINER GARDENING is an easy way to grow vegetables, especially when you lack yard space! If you have a small garden, patio, or balcony explore the magical world of gardening in pots! The good news: less weeding! Containers are generally low-maintenance.  Here's what you need to know:

NUTRITION

 The plants you grow will be the freshest they can be, packed with vitamins and minerals that will nourish your body. And you don't have to go to the store for them.

POTS

Plastic pots retain moisture better and won’t dry out as fast as unglazed terra-cotta ones. Avoid small containers as they can’t store enough water to get through hot days. Just be sure that it has drainage holes in the bottom and put a coffee filter in the bottom to catch dirt.

SOIL

Do not use soil from the garden: It is too heavy, can become waterlogged, and brings disease and insects with it. Choose instead a soilless mix (quick-draining and lightweight) or use compost, alone or combined with a soilless mix.

PLANT SUPPORTS

Support your climbing vegetables with trellises, stakes, or cages; such as snap peas, cucumbers, and tomatoes.

PLANTS

Vegetables that can be easily transplanted are best suited for containers. Mix quick-maturing plants, such as lettuce or radishes, with longer-growing ones, like tomatoes or herbs

Group plants with similar needs for sun and water, such as bush beans/radishes/ lettuce; cucumber/bush beans/beets; tomatoes/basil/onions; peas/ carrots.

Plant root crops, low-growers , and tall climbers together in the same container. The climbers will eagerly scramble up a trellis, while the small plants spread around their base. Some low-growers (leafy greens, for example) will thrive in the shade provided by the taller plants.

SUN

Place containers where they will receive at least 6-8 hours of sunlight and good ventilation. Watch for and control insect pests.

WATER 

Many plants grown in pots must be watered as often as twice a day in hot weather.

FERTILIZER

Feed container plants at least twice a month with an organic fertilizer, following the instructions on the label. Look for the OMRI (Organic Management Review Institute) Seal on the products that are safe.

Source: Vilas County Master Gardeners