KGI Map Project - help us brainstorm!

[Roger]

We're working with two smart, generous, tech-savvy volunteers based in England and Australia to create an interactive map for KGI that will provide us with another tool for achieving our mission:

KGI's mission is to empower individuals, families, and communities to achieve greater levels of food self-reliance through the promotion of kitchen gardening, home-cooking, and sustainable local food systems. In doing so, KGI seeks to connect, serve, and expand the global community of people who grow some of their own food.

What type of information would you like to see this map offer? What type of information would you be prepared to add to it? What type of interactive features would you like it to have? How could this map help make connections between the haves and have-nots of the kitchen gardening world so that everyone and every group that wants to grow some of their own food has the information and resources to do so?

Thanks for your input!

Roger

[Joy Williams]

Well first thing I can think of is a more accurate zoning map and tips on how to determine your zone. I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and though we are rated as a 9, that is based on the USDA zoning, and where I live it's considerably different. For instance, on the beach people are able to plant bougainvillea and passionfruit vines, but here where I live they wither after the first frost. Sunset does a much better job at determining zones, and this would help with our planting.

What do you think, Roger?

[Roger]

Good thinking Joy. It's true that the zones and climate are changing fast and we might be able to play a role in gathering info about that so that gardeners can be more effective.

[Joy Williams]

For instance, I just checked the Sunset mapping and I'm actually Zone 15 - Northern and Central California's Chilly-winter Coast-influenced Areas. We have a marked difference from Santa Cruz, the town (five miles from us), which is a 9, according to the USDA, but a 14 for Sunset, which is for Mediteranean-type plantings.

This may help your tech-savvy volunteers: http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/ They used to do just the 13 western states, but apparently they are expanding that.

Also this is a helpful site: http://www.backyardgardener.com/zone/index.html#sunset, because it has zone maps for Europe, Australia, Canada, China and South America. Nothing yet for Africa though. (Or Antarctica - lol)

I hope these are helpful for people.

[Joy Williams]

oh, another idea! Frost maps! Both estimated day of the last day of frost and the last.

[John Walker]

Apparently USDA zones are for perennials and have little to do with annuals (ie most veggies)
Frost maps are a better idea. The official ones are almost useless. Here in KY the last frost free date is given as April 25 ish. no one I know who has gardened a lot really starts to plant out till early May (derby day or Mother's day whichever is most convenient

[Joy Williams]

Ya, I notice the USDA list says "woody plants" which are usually perennials. But There are some perennials that you might want to plant for food... things like berries and such. And when it comes to how I garden I mix edibles with non-edibles for more of a cottage type garden, so zones are still important.

[Joy Williams]

"The Sunset zone maps, which cover 13 Western states, are much more precise than the USDA's, since they factor in not only winter minimum temperatures, but also summer highs, lengths of growing seasons, humidity, and rainfall patterns to provide a more accurate picture of what will grow there. " but actually that's not true, because they are covering all of the states now.

I just emailed them and suggested that they create a google earth layer with their planting guide. I think that would be very helpful.

[Joy Williams]

oops I meant first and last

[Chris Bocchino]

I was thinking of maybe having a list of vegetables and fruits that grow best in certain reigons that will pop up when someone clicks on certain parts of the map. I also think that having a directory or members here placed on the map with a list of what we grow would help others who are just getting started gardening, or just moved to the area. Check out this map that my motorcycle forum came upo with to help each other with finding others in the area or finding someone to stay with while on road trips. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&ms.... I think something like this would be a big help to alot of people. This way people could visit the map, click on someone who lives near them and see a list of what they are growing. The member would have the option of being completely anonymous but listing what they grow, or have a complete listing so people could contact them or email them to ask questions about growing in their region. It could also have an over lay of zone maps or frost maps, average yearly rainfall, average days of sunlight, ect. I hope I am making this clear..................Chris

[Joy Williams]

Google maps are great...

[chris w]

That's great ideas. I especially like the idea of combining google with USDA zones and listings of what grows well where. I"ve been asking Penelope what she grows to see what she is successful with for that very reason. We live in a mountanous (spelling?) region also so she will be about two weeks ahead of me as far as last frost date, etc. I'm a little higher at around 4300 - 4500 ft. I've always had problems with the zone maps - there's too much variation in altitude around here.

[Ed Reid]

Nice ideas. Google maps with USDA zones and what grows well where should also include what grow well when. The when could be the part of the year or the months of the year.