"All living things - including people - require regular and consistent maintenance!"
- Stephen Ritz

GENERAL MAINTENANCE:

• Setting up a regular watering/maintenance schedule for the garden will make the maintenance process a lot easier. Divide up all the maintenance tasks based on preferences and time commitment. Having a regular, scheduled "workday" might make it easier to 'rally all the troops' when needed (especially if there's a major project that needs to get done, like transplanting seedlings, for example.)
• Besides setting up a regular schedule for major duties, if it's feasible, do a little maintenance and/or observation daily, or every few days even. Doing a little bit of daily upkeep will make the whole process a lot more manageable and will help short circuit larger problems and issues as they arise.
• Take into account that life happens! Holidays, work and school demands, special events: plan o f "life" getting in the way of your neat and tidy maintenance schedule. Plan backwards and adjust the maintenance schedule based on individual needs/holidays etc., and remember that plants are resilient and can get by without constant attention.

WATERING:

• Watering will make up a bulk of the maintenance required for the garden, but don't overdo it! Most plants require between 1 and 2 gallons of water per week, but it varies according to the plant, so be sure to consult with your seed packet for exact instructions.
• The deeper the planter box, the larger the reservoir of moist soil at the bottom and the less often you'll need to water; the landscaping cloth that you covered your planter containers with will also help to keep moisture locked into your soil.

WORK DAYS:

• When there is a large task to be completed, such as building a shed or walkway, many community gardens organize 'work days' where volunteers and gardeners gather together to accomplish the task at hand. These work days can be turned into fun and educational events by including a potluck and/or workshop along with the day's activities. Most urban gardens will hold at least two work days during the season, for opening and closing day. During these work days volunteers and gardeners come together to either prepare the site for gardening, or close the site for the winter months.

Have any tips or shortcuts that you can share about how to make garden maintenance a breeze? Add them to the comments section below so that others can benefit!