How do I join the Southbury Community Garden?
10' x 10' plots are available through the Southbury Parks and Recreation Department in early spring. Please check the website or Parks and Recreation Spring Brochure for more information. Price of the plot rental is available through Parks and recreation.
How is the garden funded?
The garden was started in May 2011 with money from an Achieve grant obtained through The Pomperaug Health District and a group of determined and dedicated volunteers. The grant was used to buy wood for the raised beds and the fencing that exists around the Garden. The gate was donated by Brett Bucciarelli. The Kiosk was an Eagle Scout project, constructed by Jack Shannon. A second fence was an Eagle Scout project, constructed by Joe Bannon, this fence received a significant upgrade in 2018 by Jake Addison as his eagle scout project.
Who runs the garden?
The community garden plot renters do. Everyone who does work in/ around the garden is a volunteer. There is no one employed by Parks and Recreation that works in the garden. The gardeners (You) are responsible for maintaining the garden area within and around the fence. The land and the irrigation system were provided by the Town of Southbury, and the town generously provides mulch for the walkways and dirt to supplement the dirt in your plots. We are very lucky to have the strong support of The Southbury Parks and Recreation Department and The Pomperaug Health District. The administration of the garden is taken care of by The Southbury Parks and Recreation Department, so that we can spend most of our time enjoying the garden. There is a small group of dedicated volunteers that try to address any garden issues that may need resolution and organize donations to the food bank and organize community activities. Everyone is encouraged to help maintain the garden.
How can I volunteer?
There will be frequent opportunities to help. By attending work days you will find out where help is needed. There will be community days for helping with big projects for garden improvement. Please use the garden email southburycommunitygarden@gmail.com to contact us/ ask for help. There is always a need for volunteers who will mow the grass in the front of the garden and around the fence perimeter. Another need, and how most workdays are spent is weeding and mulching the interior fence line of the garden. If you have an idea for a project that will improve the garden or would like to propose a community activity please contact us at southburycommunitygarden@gmail.com.
How do I get water for my plot?
While there is an irrigation system installed in the garden, it has had issue over the last 10 years. When it is working, the sprinklers are set to water two days a week, early in the morning or at night and should be delivering ~1 inch of water per week. It is strongly advised to visit your plot frequently and water it as needed. If you would like to monitor the amount of water your plot receives, here is a link for a simple water gauge: www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-Rain-Gauge.
There are two water spigots in the garden for supplemental watering. Hoses will be allowed as long as they do not cause damage to plots and are turned off and neatly rehung after us. There are also several watering cans that can be used to carry water to your plot.
What has grown well in the garden?
What grows well for most people are green beans, cabbages, kale, greens (lettuce, swiss chard, bok choy, arugula, spinach…), radishes, beets, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash (longer growing season than zucchini), okra, artichoke, basil and parsley, celery, winter squash, eggplant, and potatoes, etc. All of this depends on plant variety, planting time, soil care, weed control etc. All plot holders are encouraged to ammend plots with organic matter, and to use mulch to prevent water evaporation and excessive weed growth.
How do I know what to add to my soil?
See gardening links page for helpful gardening articles. I have also added the initial soil test results for reference. There is also a link on the Garden Links page for the CT Agricultural extension office which performs free soil tests for CT residents.
Can we have a shed?
The shed near the road at the garden entrance has limited space for storage, the back half of the shed is for garden use (the door that faces the garden). This is where the lawn mower is stored.