>> Neighborhood community gardens are suuuuuper popular in my city. As in, it's not always easy to get a plot sort of popular. <<

That sounds like they need more gardens.

>> I'm hoping to be able to get half a plot in the nearby garden this spring/summer, which will be plenty for a single gal.<<

Good luck with it!

>> Cucumbers for pickling attempts will be go! And then it'll be time to see if I can get my Iraqi-born friend to share his mother's pickling methods with me. :) <<

That could be fun.