Resources

The Jefferson Avenue Community Garden Bylaws provide the framework for how our organization is governed and operated. They establish the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, outline membership and organizational procedures, and help ensure transparency, accountability, and consistent decision-making. While most gardeners won't need to reference the bylaws regularly, they serve as an important foundation for maintaining a strong, sustainable organization that supports our mission and the long-term success of the garden.

The JACG Licensing Agreement outlines the shared expectations, responsibilities, and guidelines that help keep Jefferson Avenue Community Garden a safe, welcoming, and thriving community space. All gardeners are asked to review and sign the agreement before receiving a garden plot to ensure a shared understanding of how we care for the garden, respect one another, and support our mission together.

Thank you for volunteering with Jefferson Avenue Community Garden. Volunteers play an essential role in maintaining the garden, supporting community programs, and helping our shared green space thrive. To help ensure everyone understands the nature of volunteer activities and associated responsibilities, all volunteers are asked to review and sign the Volunteer Release and Waiver of Liability before participating. At this time, the waiver is administered through Verdant while JACG completes the transition to operating under its own nonprofit organization.

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At JACG, we are committed to organic and sustainable gardening practices that promote healthy soil, protect pollinators, and support a thriving ecosystem. Rather than relying on synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, we encourage gardeners to build healthy soil, conserve natural resources, and use environmentally responsible methods to grow productive gardens. Whether you're just getting started or have years of gardening experience, these trusted resources offer practical guidance to help you garden successfully using organic principles.

Recommended Resources

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Organic Vegetable Gardening — An overview of organic gardening principles, soil health, pest management, and sustainable growing practices developed for Virginia gardeners.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Virginia Gardener Handbook — A comprehensive, research-based guide covering vegetable gardening, soils, composting, insects, diseases, and much more.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Vegetable Gardening Publications — Seasonal planting guides, crop-specific publications, and best practices for growing vegetables in Virginia.

• USDA – Tips for Starting an Organic Garden — Practical guidance on building healthy soil, using compost, managing pests naturally, and creating a sustainable home garden.

Native flowers are an important part of a healthy garden ecosystem. Adapted to Virginia's climate and soils, they provide essential food and habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while requiring fewer resources than many non-native ornamental plants. At Jefferson Avenue Community Garden, we encourage gardeners to incorporate native flowers into their plots and landscapes to support biodiversity, improve ecosystem health, and create beautiful spaces that thrive throughout the seasons.

Recommended Resources

•  Virginia Cooperative Extension - Virginia Native Plants (Master Gardener Handbook) — Learn why native plants matter, how they support local ecosystems, and which species are best suited for Virginia landscapes. 

• Virginia Cooperative Extension - Patriotic Gardens: Native Plants — Discover native trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and vines that are well adapted to Virginia and beneficial to pollinators and wildlife. 

• Plant Virginia Natives — A statewide initiative offering regional native plant guides, landscape ideas, and resources for selecting plants that benefit Virginia's ecosystems.

• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Native Plant Database  — Search thousands of native plants by state, growing conditions, bloom time, and wildlife value to find the right plants for your garden.

Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive and sustainable garden. By improving soil with compost, organic matter, mulch, and responsible cultivation practices, gardeners can grow stronger plants, conserve water, and support the beneficial organisms that keep soil healthy. Understanding your soil's structure, nutrients, and pH can help you make informed decisions that lead to healthier harvests while protecting the environment. The following resources provide research-based guidance for building and maintaining healthy garden soil in Virginia.

Recommended Resources

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Building Healthy Soil — Learn how soil structure, organic matter, and soil biology work together to create productive gardens, along with practical tips for improving soil health.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Soil Testing — Find out how to collect a soil sample, interpret test results, and make informed decisions about nutrients and soil amendments for your garden.

• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – Soil Health — Explore the four principles of soil health, including minimizing disturbance, maximizing soil cover, maintaining living roots, and increasing biodiversity.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Composting for the Home Gardener — Discover how compost improves soil structure, increases water-holding capacity, and naturally adds nutrients to your garden while reducing yard and food waste.

Knowing what to plant—and when to plant it—is one of the keys to a successful garden. Virginia's growing seasons offer opportunities to grow a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and native plants, but timing can make all the difference. Whether you're planning a spring garden, succession planting throughout the summer, or preparing for a productive fall harvest, these trusted resources provide region-specific guidance to help you make the most of every season.

Recommended Resources

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Virginia Vegetable Planting Guide — A month-by-month guide for planting vegetables in Virginia, including recommended planting dates, spacing, and growing tips.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Home Vegetable Gardening — Comprehensive guidance on planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting a productive vegetable garden in Virginia.

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Virginia Gardener Handbook — A comprehensive, research-based handbook covering vegetable gardening, fruit production, ornamentals, soils, pests, composting, and seasonal gardening practices.

• Old Farmer's Almanac – Planting Calendar — Enter your ZIP code to receive personalized planting dates based on your local frost dates for vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a head start on the growing season and expand the variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers you can grow. Healthy seedlings begin with the right timing, a quality seed-starting mix, plenty of light, and consistent moisture. Be sure to check your seed packet for recommended planting dates and whether a crop is best started indoors or sown directly outdoors. For detailed guidance tailored to Virginia gardeners, explore the Virginia Cooperative Extension – Plant Propagation from Seed publication.

JACG has also compiled a Seed Starting & Soil Preparation Guide.

One of the greatest rewards of gardening is enjoying your harvest long after the growing season has ended. Whether you choose to can, freeze, dry, or otherwise preserve your fruits, vegetables, and herbs, proper food preservation techniques help reduce waste, extend the life of your harvest, and ensure your food remains safe to enjoy. The following trusted resources provide research-based guidance on preserving the harvest using safe, tested methods recommended by university extension programs and the USDA.

Recommended Resources

• Virginia Cooperative Extension – Home Food Preservation — Explore Virginia Cooperative Extension's collection of publications covering water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, drying, pickling, jams and jellies, and other safe food preservation techniques.

• National Center for Home Food Preservation — The nation's leading authority on research-based home food preservation, offering comprehensive guidance for canning, freezing, drying, fermenting, curing, and storing home-grown produce.

• USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning — The official USDA reference for safe home canning practices, including step-by-step instructions, tested recipes, equipment recommendations, and food safety guidelines.

• Penn State Extension – Let's Preserve — A practical collection of articles, videos, and tutorials covering freezing, dehydrating, canning, and preserving a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other foods.