the gardens Sunroot Gardens is spread out over several-to-many different locations, mostly in SE PDX. Each plot has its own characteristics when it comes to light, soil quality, water availability, bike-accessibility, distance-to-distribution point, etc., that help guide which crops are planted there. Each plot is named, often by location. Here they are, from "Cora" to "Zora".

cora Planted in what is technically the legal right-of-way of a never-been-paved section of SE Cora Street. Established in the Spring of 2006. This plot has no irrigation available other than rain. In 2006 I planted potatoes, quinoa and black soup beans with much success. These days, it is dedicated to medicinal herbs and flowers. [ pix ]

83rd In the backyard of a house owned by one of the CSA subscribers, this spiral-centered garden has been home to root vegetables because of the high sand content in the soil. Carrots, beets and parsnips in 2007, with walla walla onions over-wintering into 2008. Medicinal herbs are being added. [ pix on the way ]

elephant dung garden This plot was picked up late in 2007 for use in 2008. A couple seasons back another gardener brought in a load of elephant dung from the zoo for fertilizer, hence the name. In November, we weeded, ripped out the blackberries, broadcast fava bean seed, and spread out a mulchy layer of straw. Chickens used to live in this yard, too, so the straw bales just happened to be there, leftover & unused. [ no pix yet ]

the firepit In the heart of the Hawthorne District, this double-lot was host to winter squash, corn and melons over the summer of 2007, and to carrots, parsnips, turnips, walla-walla onions, kale, collards, mustard greens and garlic over the winter into 2008. [ pix on the way ]

hong louse Hong Louse is one of the CSA's subscriber households. They've got a great little greenhouse built onto the south side of their place. In 2007, I raised eggplants and sweet peppers for the CSAs and hot peppers for Wingnut Confections. Also, summer squash and salad greens in the backyard. [ pix ]

mall 56 This plot was picked up late in 2007 for use in 2008. Ground has not been broken yet. [ no pix yet ]

sewell Named for the brother and sister who own it, this plot is behind a fourplex. This is a dry-farmed plot, as no irrigation is available. In 2007, eleven varieties of snap beans grew here, seven for the CSA shares, four for seed. [ pix ]

the back 40 This is an area in the backyard out behind the backyard where I live. Walla walla onions and two kinds of garlic (an Italian and a Vietnamese variety) are overwintering there. Perhaps 2008 will bring an expansion to other beds. [ pix ]

the brooklyn house This is where Dave of Wingnut Confections lives and does business. Back in 2003 we began gardening his yard, with the goal of getting rid of all the grass. Except for a few small patches here and there, we succeeded. In 2007, this is where the second wave of the Summer Salad Mix was planted. [ pix ]

thirteenth I am quite pleased to have a garden plot in this neighborhood, which was the first I lived in when I moved to the City of Roses here in Cascadia. Locals will know this house as the one with mannequins in -- and sticking out of -- the windows. "Oh that house," they might say. Three sunny raised beds were home to 2007's cucumber crop. For 2008, the raised beds have been knocked down and the entire growing area doubled in size, amended with compost, and sown with a triple cover crop. [ pix ]

31st forest garden A small backyard with a giant Dougfir, a gnarled old Hawthorne, a substantial Holly, and a little stand of birch. Talk about shade! Rather than trying to clear any of this to make a sunny spot, I am putting in a "forest garden" for medicinals that like understory shade. They'll include Goldenseal, Bloodroot, Black Cohosh, Oregon Grape, and others. Most of these grow slowly, but are powerful herbs. [ no pix yet ]

try/on Try/On Life Community Farm is seven acres of farmish land tucked into Tryon Creek State Park in the Southwest quadrant of the city. The residents there live in a community called "Cedar Moon". Over a dozen adults, a handful of children, plus chickens and goats. Natural building, permaculture projects, a composting toilet. Education. Events. Experiment. I've known a few of the folks out there for some years, so we made an agreement where I'm growing food on a parcel there that's about ¼ acre in size and sharing some of the harvest with the household. In 2007 I planted potatoes that were ravaged by gophers and a pumpkin patch that did well, but not much more than marginally so. For 2008 I'm looking at fresh peas and snap beans, which should thrive in the spot. [ pix ]

zone one This is the garden in the backyard of the house where I reside. "Zone 1" is a permaculture term referring to "the zone nearest to the house, the location for those elements in the system that require frequent attention, or that need to be visited often". In 2007, salad greens grew here. Italian flat-leaf and moss parsley are over-wintering. This plot is probably dropping out of the Sunroot rotation in 2008 to join the house's kitchen gardens. [ pix ]

zora The Kenilworth Presbyterian Church has generously allowed neighbors to garden in a plot of land behind their building for the last couple-three years. In 2007, it was shared by a group of about ten people, most of whom are friends. Sunroot Gardens had four plots there, for zukes, tomatoes, and Summer Salad Mix. Cauliflauer is over-wintering currently. [ pix ]

» RETIRED north plains The 2007 CSA season began not in the city but out on three acres near North Plains, which is north of Hillsboro. I had a trailer out there to sleep in and would bike the nine miles from the last western MAX stop. This land was utilized from late February until the end of July. Though originally intended as the CSA's home for the entirety of 2007, a difference in business practices between me and the land-owner led to cutting the season short and making things happen in town instead. "Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans." [ pix ]