Have you ever thought about planting a garden but didn't know where to start?
Join our G.I.Y. Club and let us help!
What is the G.I.Y. Club?
The G.I.Y. (Grow-It-Yourself) Club is a program we designed to help local families get started in gardening. We provide the seeds and the expertise. You take care of the planting and maintenance. You get rewarded for your efforts with a steady supply of fresh produce from your own backyard.
We offer two versions of the GIY club.
We also offer two GIY garden sizes.
We offer two versions of the GIY club.
- The original version, which lets you grow many of the same great vegetables we raise here on our farm
- A kid-friendly version, which includes a selection of unique and fun varieties to engage children in gardening and encourage healthy eating
We also offer two GIY garden sizes.
- The standard size (six 4'x4' garden beds or the equivalent)
- The small size (three 4'x4' garden beds or the equivalent)
How does it work?
Club members sign up before the gardening season starts, so that we know how many members to plan for. Each month during the season (April-September), we provide the seedlings and seeds that you need to plant in your garden. We also include a monthly planting guide and valuable tips to help make your gardening experience a positive one.
How much space do I need?
Not much. The standard size G.I.Y. garden uses about 100 square feet of growing space. The small size uses about half as much. The G.I.Y. garden is designed around small garden boxes or beds, so that almost anyone can find the space to grow their own produce. We can even show you how to start a garden without digging up your yard.
What kind of harvest can I expect?
It is impossible to give an exact answer because there are so many variables that come into play. However, it would not be unreasonable to expect a yield of over 200 pounds of vegetables from a standard-sized G.I.Y. garden. Growing your own produce is a great way to save money. A few years ago, author Rosalind Creasy grew a very basic 100 square foot garden that yielded over $700 worth of fresh vegetables.
How can I harvest that much in such a small space?
The G.I.Y. garden is based on intensive practices that allow you to get maximum yield using minimum space. Vertical growing, special plant spacing and succession planting are a few of the techniques you will be using. We use these same techniques on our small farm to grow thousands of pounds of vegetables.
What will I be growing?
The G.I.Y. garden includes plants and seeds for over 30 kinds of vegetables, including unique varieties that you won't find at your local garden center or home improvement store. You'll be growing many of the same great varieties we grow here on our farm.
The kid's version is similar to the standard version, but we swap out some of the more traditional varieties for fun, kid-friendly veggies like rainbow carrots, purple cauliflower, flying saucer squash, and many other surprises.
The kid's version is similar to the standard version, but we swap out some of the more traditional varieties for fun, kid-friendly veggies like rainbow carrots, purple cauliflower, flying saucer squash, and many other surprises.
How much time will it take?
The G.I.Y. garden is designed to be low maintenance. Once you have the garden area prepped, it will take about an hour or two each month to plant the seeds and seedlings that you receive. Each week, you might spend an hour watering, weeding and harvesting. These tasks can be spread out, so that you only have to spend a few minutes a day tending to your garden.
I've never grown anything before. Does the G.I.Y. Club make sense for me?
Yes. The most difficult challenge new gardeners face is the steep learning curve when they first get started.
Our detailed plan and planting guides eliminate all of the guess work, so you can start enjoying your garden from day one. Membership also connects you to experts and other G.I.Y. members who are there to help you every step of the way.
Our detailed plan and planting guides eliminate all of the guess work, so you can start enjoying your garden from day one. Membership also connects you to experts and other G.I.Y. members who are there to help you every step of the way.
I have been gardening for years. Does the G.I.Y. Club make sense for me?
Yes. This is probably a different approach to gardening than you are used to. The intensive methods used in the G.I.Y. garden make better use of your garden space and require less time and energy.
Why not reserve a small section of your existing garden space and give the G.I.Y. approach a try? Plant the rest of your garden the way you always have. At the end of the season, compare the two and see which works best for you.
Why not reserve a small section of your existing garden space and give the G.I.Y. approach a try? Plant the rest of your garden the way you always have. At the end of the season, compare the two and see which works best for you.
How much does it cost?
The seeds and transplants alone would cost more than the price of the G.I.Y. membership if you bought them elsewhere. That doesn't even take into account the time you would have to spend going through seed catalogs, developing a planting plan, and researching garden techniques. Let us do the up-front work for you, so that you can spend more time enjoying your garden.
How do I get started?
It's simple.
- Pick the GIY version (original or kids) & size (standard or small) that is right for you.
- Sign up for a membership.
- We'll send you a welcome package with helpful information about choosing a garden site, prepping your garden beds, and everything else you need to know.
- Get your garden ready for planting.
- Start planting your garden when seeds and seedlings are distributed in April.
- Continue planting each month as you get new seeds and transplants.
- Enjoy fresh vegetables from your own backyard!
