Community Garden Possibility

New Bridge Community Church initiated a conversation about their hosting a community garden on their property off Central Ave., between 8th & 10 Ave., including raised planter beds & irrigation water. A first meeting occurred on that property this fall with representatives from the church (Doug & Rhonda) & the ENA (Sandia & Meta) to scope out the best garden plot locations, and to imagine what such a garden would entail.

•  Following that initial on-site meeting, both organizations (NBCC & ENA)  are now in the process of ascertaining from our members what levels of interest & energy there actually are  for the creation & use of such a Community Garden.  NBCC is clearly interested in hosting this project, but they do not have the people-power to spearhead or manage it. NBCC is “committed to hosting a community garden for one season, following which [they] want to evaluate whether it is working” for them; the meaning thereof to be explored ahead of time, of course.

• On the church’s end,  the current assessment is to include just where on the property is best for them & their deciding what financial commitment they can make (beyond their offer to cover the water fees) toward the set up of such a garden enterprise (i.e. lumber for beds, for fencing, a tool shed, etc.)

• On our (ENA’s) part, this assessment is mostly of what actual interest exists in neighborhood residents for such gardening space; where water is available & community members would  share some tools & some supply purchases – esp. bigger ones; would seasonally ‘rent’ their own growing bed(s), exchange expertise, etc. (The size & price of a ‘bed’ is still to be determined, but space would be approx. 8 – 12 x 4’ – the cost of one in similar projects in Olympia is ~$35/year).

In order for this project to get off the ground in time to be ready for the 2014 planting season,  only a few months away now, we need  PROMPT RESPONSES to the following questions.  These responses will be the major basis for us deciding whether there is enough interest & energy within our neighborhood, at this time, to make this community garden happen.   Let us know:

• 1)  are you truly interested in having a gardening plot & gardening on such a site  at least in the 2014  growing season?

• 2)  which of the following would you commit to for this first year, at least:

  • a)  helping with the registration (even recruiting) of interested gardeners;

  • b)   assessing quantities of carpentry supplies needed to build planting beds;

  • c)   ordering such supplies;

  • d)   assessing & ordering needed soil mix;

• e)   coordinating volunteers at some time, sooner or later;

             f)    participating in at 1-2 work parties to help with the creation of the beds/plots.

• g)   committing to ½ -1 hour/week help throughout the growing season for upkeep of the whole project, via clean-up alone or within a work party, or a meeting.

Please  RESPOND to THE ABOVE QUESTIONS – BY Jan 18th – if  you want to be & would be committed to being involved for at least the first season- 2014. For starters, we figure we need at least 3-4 people who are committed to helping with the initial organizing, another 5+  who are committed to helping with the initial building of the garden beds &  10 households who want to garden at this site next season.  So, TELL YOUR NEIGHBORS & FRIENDS  SOON of this community opportunity!

BY Jan 18, 2014, we at least need a small core of people/gardeners to express a commitment of interest & willingness to help with above mentioned activities to get this baby off the ground & keep this Community Garden possibility alive for the 2014 season.

Cut & paste your answers to the questions & send to: [email protected].
You can address any questions YOU have to Sandia as well.  AND, check back here for updates on the responses over the next 6 weeks.

Sandia Slaby,  ENA Secretary