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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Your Community Garden needs you!

Started last year, Charlestown's Community Garden is gaining momentum.

During April of last year a crew of able bodied individuals were putting up fencing and gates. By May they were planting donated seedlings and seeds and before long donated produce was going to the seniors in the Community Center, RICAN, and the Johnnycake in Westerly – almost 2000 lbs we estimate.

Progressive Charlestown reported on the Community Garden last summer here and here.

This April you can stand in the fenced-in area and look around – in awe of all that was accomplished last year and excited about what is going to happen this year.  There are buds on the thirty blueberry bushes planted last summer; there is a nice thick layer of rotted manure covering last year’s growing areas plus many more square feet. Seedlings are coming up in the new hoop house and the materials are there to build another raised bed – just waiting for the time and labor to put it together and fill it with soil and plants.

What is needed most at this point is volunteers from the community to help tend the soil, learn the wonders of organic sustainable gardening, share in the camaraderie of working with friends, neighbors and strangers, and enjoy the out of doors.  No experience necessary! There are lots of different jobs to do to keep a garden growing. Even if you aren’t interested in gardening, there are other tasks that might be more to your liking and/or skills.

Parks & Rec Director Jay Primiano working on the fence last June
We will be working on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings starting at 10 am until whenever we want to give up for the day, weather permitting. Bring your own favorite gardening tools (if you have some) and some water.  Sunscreen, bug spray and a hat are recommended. If you aren’t available during the scheduled hours, call (364-6998 or 364-9955) or email the Community Center and add your name to our email list and we will be in touch about how we can include you. We are often there working beyond the scheduled days and times.

It takes a village to grow and donate tons of food.  Come join us and be part of a community-wide project!