Garden Manager Joan Embree writes,
Addie, Joan and Rebecca completed the official close-down of the 2011 "instant" Community Garden on Oct. 29. We emptied our donated containers of their dirt, putting the dirt into our three existing beds, pulled the remaining plants, put them into the composting pile and saved some seeds to see if they will be viable next season. Then we re-dug the central bed, adding spoiled straw and cured goat manure with the soil from the pots and planted garlic in the central bed and covered it with straw. Straw bales on site were placed to buffer the bed from southwest winds, with three rosemary plants left in the bed to see if they could survive the winter. Addie took the remainder to her hoop house to winter them over.
Prepping for the 2012 season included making tentative plans for the location of 4' by 4' and 8' by 4' plots that will be available to individuals, families, community groups, and businesses. We encourage those who "adopt-a-plot" to grow healthy food for themselves and their families, to sell at the Mountainair Farm and Garden Market, or to donate to local food banks. The Community Garden will provide water, manure, and gardening advice to those who sign up.
Our "adopt-a-plot campaign is designed to encourage greater community involvement. After making announcements at the Chamber of Commerce meetings, the Community Garden committee presented the campaign to the December 1 Rotary Club meeting and will make a presentation to the Mountainair Town Council on December 6. A more detailed flyer that can be produced in bulk will be kept in supply at locations around town where people are most likely to see them and also posted on line for convenient downloading. These will include a map of the plots that will be available and the phone numbers and/or e-mails of people to contact.
Three plots were adopted out during the recent Christmas Crafts Fair, where we had flyers and the garden map available. We encourage everyone involved with or interested in the community garden to talk to others who might be interested in growing with us next season. Clubs, churches, and businesses might be willing to sponsor one or more beds and donate the food to those who need it most.
Information on the Community Garden is available from Addie Draper, Carla Cope or Joan Embree 847-2539.
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