Observations: Four Years of Coordinating Community Gardens.

In 2009 a 400 sq. m community garden was established in Canyon, TX, in a temperate, semiarid, short-grass prairie region. The garden was established on a vacant lot dominated by buffalograss (>90%) using drip irrigation and an innovative tillage method. Drip lines were spaced 1.2 m to 1.5 m apart. In-line emitters were on 0.3 m or 0.6 m spacings. "Spot" tillage disturbed < 0.02 sq m at each emitter. The rest of the buffalograss sod was undisturbed. A broadleaf herbicide was used prior to planting, primarily to control field bindweed. Compost and 5 ml each urea and iron sulfate were incorporated prior to planting. Weeding within rows was done by hand or with a weedeater. Grass between rows was mowed. Crops were planted in hills or clumps at each emitter. Green beans, cowpeas, squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and various peppers were the main crops grown. Some corn, popcorn, onions, beets, radishes, melons, and herbs were grown. Hills of some agronomic crops were planted for public education. The garden was available to all in the neighborhood, so records were not available, but it is estimated more than 500 kg produce was harvested. In 2010- 2011 the garden was expanded to 1200 sq. m in four plots with the help of civic groups and churches. The coordinator arranged for compost deliveries, installed the irrigation system, and provided transplants. Each organization managed one plot. An agronomy student scouted the gardens weekly for pests and irrigation management. Observations: 1) People are excited about the idea of a garden but quickly lose interest in the work a garden requires - the number of volunteers declined throughout the summer; 2) Some people are resistant to innovative technologies; 3) Overwatering to the point of yield loss was common; 4) People did not understand the minimum tillage concept and thought it should be rototilled; 5) Some abandoned the innovative technology; 6) People not involved in the gardens criticized the innovative technology to those maintaining the plots.