Andover Community Garden

Our mission is to educate our members about organic gardening and to provide opportunities to them so that they can grow and harvest vegetables, herbs and flowers within a welcoming community setting.

Garden plots are open to all residents of Andover and surrounding towns who join our Association. Plots that are turning over are offered yearly to people on the waiting list on a first come, first serve basis. 

Each Association member contributes an annual plot fee to cover maintenance. To be part of our association, you must be willing to agree to our requirements. These are fairly standard rules for community gardens, with requirements such as gardening organically and participating in workdays and cleanups; and we do try to help new folks with this request by giving lessons/ideas for how to garden organically. Once rented, you plant up your plot, harvest and maintain your own plot for your own family’s use during the gardening season. 

PLANTING TOO EARLY

In our cold climate, avoid premature planting of tender crops such as cucumber, squash, eggplant, and pepper. These plants should stay indoors or under cover until night temperatures are consistently around 55°F. 

CROWDING PLANTS TOGETHER

Some salad crops (e.g. spinach, loose-leaf lettuce, arugula, and kale) don't mind being crowded, especially if harvested young. However, many vegetables suffer when packed together due to root competition, shading, and excess humidity. 

POOR WATERING TECHNIQUE

Improper watering is one of the most common causes of poor garden performance. Most mature plants prefer a wet/dry cycle rather than constantly damp conditions. Give deep, infrequent waterings rather than a light daily sprinkle. 

FORGETTING CROP ROTATION

Crop rotation reduces nutrient depletion, pest pressure, and carryover of soil-borne pathogens. Avoid planting vegetables where members of the same family were grown the previous year.

LETTING WEEDS TAKE OVER

It is really important to keep the weeds down in the garden. Not only do they compete with your crops for moisture and nutrients, but weeds also host pests and spread their seeds into other people's plots. 

NEGLECTING INSECTS AND PESTS

Inspect your crops at least once a week, making sure to check the undersides of leaves, where insects love to shelter themselves. Act swiftly before a population can get a foothold.