George, dear, as much as I appreciate your help, I can not have a palm tree. LOL.

Nira, the software sizes the space for the various plants. Approximately, 1 sq ft for peppers, beans, lettuce, 4 sq ft for tomatoes, summer squashes, 1.5 x1.5 for eggplant, 9 sq ft for winter squash.

I believe I shared my team had feedback on my first garden plan. That was what I was looking for. I love these guys as they are all very interested in growing what others want to grow, not just putting their preferences forward. Between the two 10x10 plots, we plan 2 winter squash, 7 summer squash/zucchini, 4 cucumber, 1 eggplant, 12 peppers, and 12 tomato plants, and 18 ft of beans. Scallions, radishes and mesclun will be stuck in here and there. Of course, basil with the tomatoes! We all agreed we should grow more squash as it would make a perfect donation to the food bank effort associated with the garden. You don't have to donate anything but we would like to, if we do well.

The plots are separated by paths so perimeter access all around so I minimized the interior paths. I believe I already have enough seeds to cover all except tomatoes and peppers which would need to be plants at this point. My sister does have some squash and cuke plants for me too. I will be curious if the plants produce differently than those plants started by seed.

Miss Jeans, yes, we are allowed to use cages, trellises, etc. The rule is nothing above 4ft tall, to avoid shading another's plants. I laid it out to ensure we could only shade ourselves. I do plan to experiment with growing plants up as much as possible.   

We got the final plot assignments today. The co-ordinator made a first cut at it and then asked for any requests for change.  My fellow team captain and I requested to be next to each other.  Our request was granted.  They moved my plot next to his rather than vice-versa.  I was happy about that.  My spot was right as you come in through the gate.  I like a nice spot halfway down between the gates at either end.  Less people walking by to get to their plots and thinking...my oh my, don't those little cherry tomatoes look delicious?  We were both close to a water source.  But  mostly because my original plot location was right next to a woman we work with.  One of my team members was nervous she would take advantage of his very kind nature to enlist him to help her with her garden plot.  I think it was a very realistic concern as she does it to him inside at work.  Hopefully if we aren't right there, it won't happen.  In addition, she is in very poor physical condition so hard to understand how she is going to manage the physical exertion of gardening.  Then again, she might surprise us all.  I am a very helpful person in general, but we have our own work cut out for us, and if you can't do it, you shouldn't sign up thinking you will enlist others to do your work. 

I got one more team member today.  My production line supervisor said she couldn't wait to come see our garden plots.  I explained unless you were one of the gardeners you weren't allowed into the area.  She looked crushed and said she had intended to come help weed.  Trust me, she was sincere!  Anyone who wants to weed, can be on my team anyday!  Besides which we would all share our bounty, if we have any, with her!  I just need her to sign a release form. 

One of my team members and I walked out today to look at progress.  They almost have the fence up.  They were back filling... it is 1 ft below ground.  Definitely will keep deer out.  And most people out once it is locked at night.  I am not sure about chipmunks as it is chain link and so not as small as the standard chicken coop fencing.  It is going to be fun.  I have my mission for tomorrow.  There is no guarantee but typically the place we are going plant shopping caters to heirloom tomatoes and appreciates you might want different ones, and reasonable prices per plant.  I am not so sure about their hot pepper selection but guessing might be the same.  I am so hoping they will have some pots of basil they didn't have a chance to dibble out....sold very inexpensively if you don't mind dibbling them out yourself.... and I don't... then they just take off very quickly. 

Incidentally, all my team members asked me if they needed to give me money up front for this plant shopping?  We will figure it out in the end.... nice team of people!