New Community Garden fences are up!
The Manchester Community Garden has brand-new fencing
submitted by Ruth VanBogelen, Manchester Community Garden
After many years, the fences around the community garden to keep out wildlife were worn beyond repair. Thanks to two wonderful groups, new fences are installed. First, the Manchester Wellness Coalition approved the use of $5,500 from their allocation from 5 Healthy Towns Foundation funding to purchase new fencing materials. Second, the Men’s Club of Manchester, especially Henry Earhart, installed the new fence. The Men’s Club also purchased used artificial turf, which provides walkways in the garden and a weed-free perimeter.
Worth Repeating also donated funds to modify the student part of the community garden to include strawberry plants, cucumber trellis, and other supplies needed for indoor planting that took place in April and May. The students started many plants indoors in April and May and families took home over 750 plants for their home gardens.
The installation of the new fence was challenging especially driving in the fence post sleeves because the soil has plenty of small rocks. The new fence includes a heavy-duty poly fence that is 8 feet tall to keep deer out, and a 3-foot wire fence to keep rabbits, rodents, and groundhogs out of the garden. Tension wires keep the fence in place. This new fencing comes from Trident, Inc., which sells DeerBuster materials.
The Men’s Club completed the fence on one garden on June 11 and many gardeners who had paid to rent plots got busy planting. The second garden, which is used for the Klager garden plus additional rented plots, was not fenced in time for spring planting but is ready now. Next spring, students at Klager can start plants indoors and also plant outdoors. And to their delight, they should be picking strawberries before the school year ends.
The Community Garden started in 2012 as a pumpkin patch for Klager students, and in 2013 the first fence was installed so that community members could rent plots to grow their own vegetables. Each year, we have gotten better and better at keeping weeds under control to maximize the yields and now have an excellent fencing system to keep wildlife out. Several years gardeners weighed produce they harvested and the yield was just over 2,000 pounds in one season. There are 18 plots that can be rented and a 40’ x 45’ garden space for the students. Plot sizes are 20’ x 20’, 10’ x 10’, 4’ x 8’ (raised bed), and 4’ x 4’ (raised bed). The rent gardeners pay goes toward the water bill, hoses, and other miscellaneous items needed, with the water bill being the biggest annual expense.
Two years ago the Men’s Club took on the Community Garden as their project, adding to the long list of projects they do for the community. Their dedication to the Community Garden ensures this community resource will be around for many years to come.
All the gardeners want to give a big Thank You to the Men’s Club for their hours of work on the garden. The Manchester Wellness Coalition has been supporting the Community Garden since its beginning, using funds from the amazing 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, which funds so many wonderful healthy programs in Manchester, Chelsea, Dexter, Grass Lake, and Stockbridge. Finally, Worth Repeating funds are going to make lots of students happy as they learn about where their food comes from. Contact Ruth at dutchgardenpartner@gmail.com if you are interested in renting a plot next year.
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