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
New Pollinator Garden
Volunteers team up to shovel and spread pea gravel
Ms. Judy and Ms. Jennifer tending to their gardens
�� Urban Garden Fall Care Tips �� 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 RETURNING GARDENS ELIGIBLE 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
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 NewlyFundedGardens:
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 6–65
Acid-lovingplants(likeblueberriesandazaleas) preferpH5–55
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 �� Zone 8a | North Little Rock | Community Garden Program
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.
�� 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
4:30-7:30ThursdaysatStJosephFarmstead6800 CampRobinsonRd.,NLR.Moredetailshere.
StartYourGardenFromScratch:SeedStarting Workshop-5:00-7:00Aug14(FREE)
OakForestCommunityGarden,600S.MonroeSt,LR. Thishands-onworkshopwillteachyouthebasicsof seedstarting,fromsoiltosproutMoredetailshere
GrowWhatYouEat(Herbs)-Workshop 10:00-12:00Aug16(FREE)
PecanLakeCommunityGarden,9004TallTimberBlvd, LR.Thisworkshopteachespracticalwaystoplant, harvest,andcookwithcommonherbsMoredetailshere GrowYourOwnGroceries:Carrots 12:00August21(FREE)
Inthispresentation,youwilllearnhowtogrowandcook withcarrotsRegistertoGrowYourOwnCarrots
NLRCommunityGardenManagerMeetings
5:00-6:30onWednesdayseachmonth(FREE) Aug.27,Sept.24,Oct.22,&Nov.19
NorthHeightsCommunityCenter,4801AllenSt.,NLR. MeetingsofferachanceforNLRcommunitymembersto connectThey’reawelcomingspaceopentoall
What'sinyourSoil-Workshop
10:00-12:00Aug30(FREE)
UALRGARDEN,3343FairParkBlvd,LRThisworkshop willteachyouhowtounderstandyoursoil’scondition andimproveitforbetterplantgrowthMoredetailshere
GrowingUrbanFarmersMeet-Ups 5:30-7:001stWednesdayofeachmonth(FREE) Sept.3,Oct.1,&Nov.5
North Little Rock Neighborhood S
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)!
NLR Community garden PROGRAM 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 4801 Allen St. 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
