participant details calendar FAQ sign up blog & resources
A project to distribute native fruit and nut trees to homeowners, community gardens, and land projects in Carbondale neighborhoods and the surrounding region. Our goal is food autonomy, community engagement, & ecological awareness.
2021 ORDER FORM NOW LIVE
how it works:
The Neighborhood Planting Project distributes a limited variety of fruit or nut bearing, bare-root tree seedlings. Trees are born at the IL state nursery and/or other regional tree nurseries. We bulk order trees, pick them up, and bring them to southern Illinois. While trees are given away freely, just $0.50 cents covers the cost of a tree, and small donations help fund the project.
Trees are bare root, approximately 2-4' tall, and easy to plant. All trees are native varieties which makes them hardy crops and excellent choices for a native edible landscape. We offer planting help to those who may need it, roughly within the city limits of Carbondale (indicate on sign up form). Tree care and resources will be available off and on in the coming years, in coordination with the Washington Street Garden and the Carbondale Spring Food Autonomy project. We distributed 300 trees in 2018, 400 in 2019, and over 1,000 trees in 2020.
this year's selection
Paw Paw, Persimmon, American Cherry, Chickasaw & American Plum mix, Pecan, Hazelnut, Fragrant Sumac, Red Oak, Bur Oak, Bald Cyprus, & Jack Pine
Tree information can be found by clicking the name on the IL Mason State Nursery order form.
Click the "sign up now" button above to reserve your bareroot sapling trees now!
SUNDAY
APRIL 25 2021
Reserve on Form; pick up first come first serve on event day. Some delivery available by request.
1P - 4p
Pick up your trees on a first come first serve basis. Join us outdoors for a Community Plant Swap to browse/pick up trees, permaculture guild plants, seedlings, and more at Red Hen Garden.
RED HEN GARDEN
509 E Larch St
Carbondale IL 62901
community garden work days
masks required. byo gloves, water/beverage, hats, sunscreen. we provide tools & some gloves. email for more info or to help organize
mar13
apr17
SALUKI SERVICE DAY
LINK UP w Saluki Volunteers & MEET LEADERS from multiple community gardens.
ap25
COMMUNITY PLANT SWAP
including
NEIGHBORHOOD PLANTING PROJECT
& GARDEN GALA
at
RED HEN GARDEN
may
TBD!
june
TBD!
SPRING PLANTING
Plant spring crops with the new moon and spring equinox!.
resources blog
LOCAL PARTNERS
Carbondale Spring Food Autonomy
Red Hen Garden
Men of Power, Women of Strength of Cairo
Are you an organization or business who would like to help us build food security? Do you have plants or resources to contribute? Would you like to share knowledge with neighborhood residents in a workshop to promote your services/products? Reach out to us to discuss sponsorship or partnership opportunities.
SISTER PROJECT
Check out our big-sister project in Bloomington, Indiana, where the idea of getting as many free food bearing trees back into our neighborhoods bloomed! www.neighborhoodplantingproject.org
FAQ
Where do I go to get my trees?
The Washington St Garden @ 213 N Washington St, Carbondale IL 62901 on April 11
How much work is involved in adopting a tree?
As hardy natives the trees won't need a ton of care. If the weather’s dry, a five gallon bucket of water once or twice a week. Some watering is most important in the first couple years, after which the tree starts to get hardier. Extra things you can do to help it thrive are to lay leaves or mulch around the roots in the winter and prune as the years go by (and we’re happy to be a resource for pruning help and suggestions as the plant enters productive years.)
Will I be sure to receive help on planting day?
We are organizing volunteers from many organizations, community gardens, and various networks. We believe we'll be well equipped to help homeowners plant, as well as plant large scale garden projects. However, please tell all your friends and neighbors we're accepting volunteers on planting day!
What about hungry rabbits and deer?
Trees being planted in areas with heavy wildlife may need cages installed. We will not be supplying these.
How big do the plants get?
Most trees will get between 6-12', but several will get much taller. See each trees height, spread, and recommended spacing, plus much more planting, harvest, and use information on the resources page.
How do plants pollinate?
Most of the plants are self pollinating. Those that need at least two plants we will be sure to let you know and provide you with at least two. Almost all the plants are also self propagating, with many shooting up sprouts from the base. See more info and specific details on the resources page.
Sun & moisture needs?
Pawpaws like some shade, and then to grow to be more sun-tolerant as they mature – they are an excellent understory planting beneath larger trees. The majority of the trees prefer full sun, but will produce-- albeit less abundantly-- in partial shade. Some will produce better in shade than others. We list the their individual needs on the resources page.
When does harvest start?
You'll be harvesting plum and hazelnut within 2-4 years, chokecherry and persimmon within 3-6 years, paw paw and pecan within 4-6 years. So, it's a long term investment. Plants range from medium to fast growers, and most will grow a few feet per year. Learn more on the resources page.