NLR Community Garden Newsletter GardenSpotlight:IrisParkCommunityGarden Oneofourlongeststandinggardens,IrisPark CommunityGarden,locatedat903W 45 St,continues toflourishandevolveasabelovedanchorintheNorth LittleRockcommunity Thisyear,thegardencelebrateda majormilestonewiththeadditionoffournewraised beds,whichexpandsopportunitiesforlocalfamiliesto growtheirownfood.Theyalsoaddedadedicated pollinatorarea,thoughtfullyplantedtosupportnative beesandbutterflies,strengtheningthegarden’sroleasa havennotjustforpeoplebutfortheenvironmentas well. th
Perhapsthemostinspiringnewfeatureistheir communityplot,opentoanyoneintheneighborhood whoneedsalittleextraproduce.Thiswelcominggesture reflectstheheartofIrisPark.
Atthehelmislongtimegardenmanager,Ms Judy, whosequietdedicationisthebackboneofthegarden In additiontomanagingdailygardentasks,shealso volunteersattheAmboyFoodPantryandmaintainsthe citylotnexttothegarden,helpingtobeautifythe neighborhoodbeyondthegarden’sboundaries.
SheissupportedbyassistantmanagerMs Jennifer,who alsoservesontheCommunityGardenAdvisory Committeefortheprogram,lendinghervoiceand experiencetoguidethedirectionofourapplication process
Fromnurturingfoodsecuritytopollinatorprotection,Iris ParkCommunityGardencontinuestogrowbothplants andpurpose We’reproudtohavethemasacornerstone ofourCommunityGardenProgramandcan’twaittosee whattheygrownext!
Community Plot
Ms. Jennifer showing off her scarlet runner beans
Volunteers team up to shovel and spread pea gravel
Ms. Judy and Ms. Jennifer tending to their gardens
�� Urban Garden Fall Care Tips �� Zone 8a | North Little Rock | Community Garden Program FundingforCityGardens-ApplyToday!
Ifyouhavequestionsorneedassistancecompleting yourapplication,we’reheretohelp!Whetheryou’re startingagardenforthefirsttimeorexpandingan existingone,supportisavailabletowalkyouthrough theprocess Reachoutbyphoneoremailtoschedule aone-on-oneappointment,orvisitthecitywebsitefor resourcesandalinktotheapplicationpacket
SPRING 2026 FUNDING APPLICATION DUE ON DECEMBER 15, 2025 NEW GARDENS ELIGIBLE UP TO $1,500
UP TO $5,000
STEP 1: Scan the QR Code to review the application located at the bottom of our website: nlr.ar.gov/communitygardens
STEP 2: Complete application and compile all required documents
Point your camera phone here!
STEP 3: Submit everything to NLRNeighborhoodServ@nlr.ar.gov
For assistance with your application, contact RKelly@nlr.ar.gov or NLRNeighborhoodServ@nlr.ar.gov 501-351-0184
2025ProgramFundingRecap Thisyearhasbeenoneofourmostsuccessfulyetfor theNLRCommunityGardenProgram!Weproudly providedfundingsupportto15communitygardens(six ofthembrandnewtotheprogram!)acrossthecity, helpingtoexpandaccesstofreshfood,beautify neighborhoods,andstrengthenlocalconnections. Fundingwasusedforeverythingfrombuildingnew raisedbedsandinstallingirrigationsystemstocreating pollinatorhabitats Theenthusiasmanddedicationfrom ourgardenleaders,volunteers,andcommunity memberscontinuestoinspireus,andwe’resoproudof thegrowthandimpactmadepossiblethroughthis year ’ssupport.
SoilHealthStartsNow:TestandAmendin theFall
Yoursoilisthefoundationofyourgardenandfallis theperfecttimetobuilditup.Healthysoilleadsto stronger,moreresilientplantsthatareeasiertogrow andmaintain.
Blend-Don’tLayer Whenamendingyoursoil,blendyourcompostorsoil amendmentsintotheexistingsoilratherthanlayering them.Thiscreatesaconsistenttextureand encouragesbetterrootdevelopment.
TimeforaSoilTest Fallisalsoanidealtimetotestyoursoil’spHand nutrientlevelssoyou'rereadyforspring.Here’swhat youneedtoknow:
pHscale:Measuresacidityfrom0–14(7isneutral)
Mostgardenplantsthriveinslightlyacidicsoil:pH 6–6.5
Acid-lovingplants(likeblueberriesandazaleas) preferpH5–5.5
ManyArkansassoilsareacidicandmayneedlime toraisethepH
Asoiltestwilltellyouexactlyifandhowmuchlimeor othernutrientstoapply
HowtoCollectaSoilSample 1.Takeslicesofsoilfromthesurfaceto6inches deep
2 Collectfrom6–10differentspotsinyourgardenor lawn
3 Mixthemtogetherinacleancontainer
4 Bring1pintofsoilpersampletoyourlocalcounty ExtensionOffice
Within2–3weeks,you’llreceivedetailedtestresults andtailoredrecommendationsbymail
Learnmorebyclickingthislink:UniversityofArkansas DivisionofAgricultureExtensionOffice
�� Urban Garden Fall Care Tips �� StretchYourSeason:ExtendYourHarvest withRowCovers
Don’tpackupyourgardenjustyet!Withafewsimple tools,youcankeepenjoyingfreshgreensandherbs wellintowinterinZone8a Rowcoversandcoldframes protectyourcropsfromearlyfrosts,lightfreezes,and gardenpests,allwhilecreatingaminigreenhouse effect.
WhatAreRowCovers?
Rowcoversarelightweightfabric(likefrostcloth, floatingrowcover,orgardenfleece)that:
Trapwarmthfromthesunduringtheday
Provide4–10°Foffrostprotectionatnight Blockwindandsomeinsectpests
HowtoSetThemUp
UsePVCpipeormetalhoopstoformarchesover yourbedorcontainer
Draperowcoverfabricandsecurewithbricks,clips, orsoil
Removeorventonsunnydaysover50°Ftoprevent overheating
IdealCropstoCover
Spinach,lettuce,kale,mustardgreens
Cilantro,parsley
Carrots,radishes,turnips
WanttoGoBigger?TryaDIYColdFrame
Coldframesarelikeminigreenhousesmadefrom repurposedwindowsorclearplasticbins
Trapheatduringthedayandholditovernight Greatforherbsandgreens
Easyweekendproject!
FallGardenCleanup:WhattoRemoveand WhattoLeaveforWildlife
Fallistheperfecttimetotidyupandprepyourgarden forwinter,butalittlemesscanbeagoodthing!Here’s whattocleanandwhattoleavetosupportpollinators, birds,andbeneficialbugs
CleanUpThese
Diseasedplants(likemildewytomatoesorsquash vines)
Weedsthatmayspreadseed
Spentcropsthataretotallyfinished Bagorcomposttheseresponsiblytoreducenext season ’spestpressure
LeaveTheseforNature
Seedheads(sunflowers,echinacea,dill):foodfor birds
Hollowstems:shelterforoverwinteringnativebees
Leaflitter:vitalhabitatforfireflies,frogs,and butterflylarvae
MulchtoProtectandFeedSoil
Add2–4inchesofshreddedleaves,straw,orpine needles
Avoidpilingmulchagainstplantstems
Topwithcomposttonourishsoillifethroughwinter
TOOLTIPOFTHESEASON Useagardenforkinsteadofashovelforfallsoilprep Abroadordiggingforkisgentleronyoursoilstructure thanashovel Itloosenscompactedsoilwithout turningittoomuch,whichisperfectforaeratingbeds beforeaddingcompostormulch.Bonus:ithelps preservebeneficialmicrobesandworms!
JOIN US IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE!
With 21 active community gardens in the program, our garden managers are always looking for assistance.
2025
Fall
4th Edition
�� Fall Planting Guides �� Zone 8a | North Little Rock | Community Garden Program
September
BokChoi/PakChoi
Carrots
SwissChard
Beets
Spinach
Kohlrabi Cauliflower
Cabbage
Broccoli Collards
Kale
Mustard Turnips
Radish Lettuce
The closer to the bottom of the box a vegetable is listed, the closer to the end of the month it should be planted
October
CoverCrops
Lettuce
Shallots
Leeks
Garlic Collards
Mustard
Kohlrabi Turnips
Spinach Strawberries
November
ConductSoilTest
Strawberries
Garlic Collards Turnips
LimeSoil
SaladGreens(Protected)
OrderCatalogs
CoverCrops
ApplyandIncorporate Compost
Fall is a fantastic time to plant in Zone 8a, with cooler temperatures and fewer pests making it ideal for both starting new crops and refreshing garden beds In September, plant cool-season favorites such as collards, kale, and carrots October is perfect for leafy greens like spinach, mustard, and lettuce, as well as root vegetables like radishes and turnips. By November, focus on garlic, onions, and cover crops to enrich your soil for spring.
Events/Workshops:
ThursdayNightFarmersMarket
4:30-7:30ThursdaysatSt.JosephFarmstead6800 CampRobinsonRd,NLRMoredetailshere
StartYourGardenFromScratch:SeedStarting Workshop-5:00-7:00Aug14(FREE)
OakForestCommunityGarden,600SMonroeSt,LR Thishands-onworkshopwillteachyouthebasicsof seedstarting,fromsoiltosprout.Moredetailshere.
GrowWhatYouEat(Herbs)-Workshop
10:00-12:00Aug16(FREE)
PecanLakeCommunityGarden,9004TallTimberBlvd, LRThisworkshopteachespracticalwaystoplant, harvest,andcookwithcommonherbs.Moredetailshere.
GrowYourOwnGroceries:Carrots
12:00August21(FREE)
Inthispresentation,youwilllearnhowtogrowandcook withcarrots.RegistertoGrowYourOwnCarrots
NLRCommunityGardenManagerMeetings
5:00-6:30onWednesdayseachmonth(FREE) Aug.27,Sept.24,Oct.22,&Nov.19
NorthHeightsCommunityCenter,4801AllenSt.,NLR. MeetingsofferachanceforNLRcommunitymembersto connect.They’reawelcomingspaceopentoall.
What'sinyourSoil-Workshop 10:00-12:00Aug30(FREE)
UALRGARDEN,3343FairParkBlvd,LR.Thisworkshop willteachyouhowtounderstandyoursoil’scondition andimproveitforbetterplantgrowthMoredetailshere
GrowingUrbanFarmersMeet-Ups 5:30-7:001stWednesdayofeachmonth(FREE) Sept.3,Oct.1,&Nov.5
St.JosephFarmstead6800CampRobinsonRd.,NLR. Moredetailshere.
GrowYourOwnGroceries:Figs
12:00September11(FREE)
Inthispresentation,youwilllearnhowtogrowandcook withfigs.RegistertoGrowYourOwnFigs
Audubon2025FallNativePlantSale
OnlineorderingopenTues.,Sept.16at8:00amthrough Tues.,Sept.23at8:00pm.Curbsidepickupwillbe availableOct 3andOct 4attheLRAudubonCenter (4500SpringerBlvd,LR,AR72206) Moredetailshere
Workshop:AttractingPollinatorstoYourGarden 5:30-7:00September24(FREE)
St.JosephFarmstead6800CampRobinsonRd.,NLR, hostedbyGrowingUrbanFarmers MasterNaturalist, RuthLanders,whomanagesthepollinatorgardensatSt Joseph,willdelveintowhichplantsyoucanuseto supportourpollinatorfriends(andwhyitissocrucial)!
@nlrcommunitygardens
youtube.com/c/cityofnlr
North Little Rock Neighborhood Services
NLR Community garden PROGRAM garden manager meetings garden manager meetings Our meetings are an opportunity for NLR community garden managers, volunteers, and the general public to come together, exchange resources, celebrate successes, address challenges, and stay connected with our program. These meetings create a collaborative space where local gardeners can share knowledge, ask questions, and support each other. Best of all, they’re free and open to everyone come join us!
Wednesday: Aug. 27, Sept. 2, Oct. 22, Nov. 19
North Heights Community Center
