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Manchester Community Garden, an opportunity for anyone to become a gardener!

submitted by Ruth VanBogelen, Manchester Community Garden

The Manchester Community Garden is taking applications for residents interested in growing their own vegetables this summer.ÌýThe garden is located on the bus loop road between Klager School and the High School with access off Dutch Drive (look for the metal arch).ÌýThis is the 11th year for the Community Garden, and this year the old fence will be replaced thanks to a grant from 5 Healthy Towns Foundation and to the Manchester Men Club, who will be taking down the old fence and putting up the new fence.ÌýThe Men Club also keeps the garden mowed and maintained during the summer months. Ìý

Of course, thanks to Manchester Community Schools for letting us use some land for the garden!

There are four different sized gardens offered.ÌýThe 20’ by 20’ gardens are the most popular and these plots cost $50 for the year.ÌýThere are four of these plots still available. 10’ by 10’ plots cost $25 and two are available. Also offered are raised beds, which are about 4’ by 8’ (cost is $30) or 4’ by 4’ (cost is $15) — only one of each of these plots is available.ÌýThe plot rent funds are used for expenses to maintain the garden.ÌýThe biggest expense for the garden is the water bill, but other expenses are soil preparation, hoses, and other miscellaneous supplies.ÌýWe also offer high-quality weed block and pins to gardens at a low price.ÌýThis weed block is UV resistant and can be reused 3–5 years. By purchasing weed block and pins in bulk and with a discount offered to us from The Garden Mill in Chelsea, the cost is $25 for a 20’ x 20’ garden, $15 for a 10’ x 10’ garden.

The big advance of the community garden is that the gardens are watered using timers so individual gardeners do not have to water their own plots.ÌýIf you go on vacation for week(s) at a time, you don’t have to worry about your garden drying out. Ìý

If you are interested in a plot, contact us at dutchgardenpartner@gmail.com, and we’ll email you a garden application.ÌýApplications can also be picked up at the Manchester District Library. Ìý

Part of the gardening program happens at the schools.ÌýAt Manchester Early Education Center and Klager School, students age 4 and up participate in a 6-week gardening program in April and May.ÌýStudents get a gardening lesson and plant seeds each week and watch the plants grow in the GroLabs in the Media Room at Klager.ÌýStudents are offered free plants to take home for their home garden.ÌýSome of the plants are planted in the Klager garden within the Community Garden, which is maintained for students in daycare and summer camps who harvest from the garden.ÌýAt Riverside, students also use indoor GroLabs to start seeds that are planted in the raised beds behind Riverside school.Ìý

Donations to the school garden programs are always welcome!ÌýThe garden application can be used as a donation form.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.