Friends of Portland Community Gardens

08/24/2026

From Portland Parks & Recreation's Community Gardens:
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹

While there are still summer crops to harvest, it's also a good time to start thinking about preparing plots for fall. These practices help protect the soil, minimize disease and undesired plant issues, and allow you to start planting earlier next year.

After harvesting, cut back or remove summer crops, dead plants, and undesired plants. Plant materials can be buried (trench compost), chopped up as mulch, disposed of off-site, or composted actively in your plot.

Give soil a rest by planting cover crops or cover with mulch like burlap, leaves, or straw to protect soil over winter. This practice also adds back organic material and nutrients to the soil to help feed next seasons crops. Fava beans (cover crop variety), crimson clover and Austrian field peas are a favorite community garden cover crops because they add nutrients, suppress undesired plants, and are easily incorporated in spring. A mix of grain (rye, oats) and legume (vetch, peas, favas) also work well together and do not become too difficult to incorporate into the soil if done so in early spring (ideally March).

Plant over-wintering crops. It's not too late to direct seed cilantro, arugula, mustard, kale, spinach, or other hearty greens in your garden plot. Garlic cloves, onion sets, peas and fava beans can all be planted through October and overwinter in your garden for early spring growth. Have a look at the Portland Nursery Planting Calendar for more ideas on what to grow this time of year:
https://portlandnursery.com/plant-library/vegetables/veggie-planting-calendar/

Note: This important article is part of the latest Portland Community Gardens Gardener Newsletter — August 2026

08/22/2026

From PP& R's Community Gardens:
𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀

We usually think of earthworms as beneficial to our gardens. However, there have been many local reports of a type of earthworm that is harmful to the ecosystem. Because of it's potential for negative impact on the soil structure and ability to outcompete other earthworms, it is important to be aware of this organism, especially when using transplants in the garden. Be aware they may travel in the soil of plants you've purchased or received from friends. These jumping worms do look very similar to the more common earthworm but there are some identifying features to look out for.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿:
A clear identification feature of the jumping worm is the clitellum (band), which is milky white to gray, smooth, and completely encircles the worm’s body. In contrast, the clitellum of common earthworms is raised and does not wrap fully around the body. They also have a large and distinct mouth and tend to thrash around and jump when disturbed. See attached photo!

You can read more on how to identify them and what to do if you find them, in this article from OSU Extension Service: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/invasive-jumping-worms-disrupt-oregon-soils-ecosystems?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Note: This important article is part of the latest Portland Community Gardens Gardener Newsletter — August 2026

08/16/2026

08/16/2026

A fun time was had by all at today's Friends of Portland Community Garden's Ice Cream Social!

Visitors to Sewallcrest Community Garden enjoyed ice cream, tours of the garden and spending time with fellow gardeners!

08/15/2026

Another FREE Community Class with the Multnomah County Master Gardener Association!

August 23, 2026 from 10 am to 1 pm
Master Garden Demonstration Garden
6637 SE 57th
Portland, OR

08/12/2026

Thank you to the Multnomah County Master Gardener Association for coming to the Produce for People Fall Starts Distribution!

The Master Gardeners were there to answer gardening questions and give suggestions to our PFP volunteers so they can grow more vegetables for local food pantries! We appreciate the support that they give to this great volunteer program!

Produce for People is a volunteer program through Portland Parks & Recreation's Community Gardens. Each year, over 27,000 pounds of produce is grown and donated to local food pantries here in Portland.

08/11/2026

Thank you Portland Nursery for supporting Produce for People!!

Last Saturday, the Friends of Portland Community Gardens and Portland Parks & Recreation's Community Gardens held our Produce for People (PFP) Fall Starts Distribution. This event is held 3 times a year to provide all of the PFP groups with vegetable starts to grow for local food pantries.

Portland Nursery provided us with a generous discount so that we could purchase lots of wonderful vegetable starts! They also donated more starts and herbs, giving our PFP volunteers a great selection of fall vegetables to plant!

We appreciate all of the support that Portland Nursery provides to help our PFP groups grow more vegetables for local food pantries!

08/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who supports Portland Parks & Recreation's Produce for People (PFP) program!

At yesterday's Produce for People Fall Starts Distribution, PFP volunteers from 30 Community Gardens received fall vegetable starts to fill their PFP plots. This means lots of healthy vegetables will be grown for donating to local food pantries!

Thank you to the Friends of Portland Community Gardens and Portland Parks & Recreation's Community Gardens Department for holding this event!

All of our vegetable starts and seeds were donated or purchased with generous discounts from Westwind Gardens, Kathy Katz and Portland Nursery. The PP&R Community Gardens donated cover crop seeds for replenishing our soils over the winter.

The Multnomah County Master Gardener Association was there to answer our gardeners' questions!

Additional thanks go to the family of Richard Landcaster and the SeedMoney Challenge, which provided funds for this event.

Special thanks to everyone who volunteered at this event. Without our volunteers, none of this could be possible!

08/05/2026

Multnomah County Master Gardener Association Open Garden Event on 8/8 at the Demonstration Garden

Visit the garden this Saturday, August 8th, between 10am & 2pm. Gather your friends and family and come on down. It is a great time to visit the Multnomah County Master Gardener Association Demonstration Garden in SE Portland.