Community Garden: Lush and Fuller Than Ever

Guest post provided by Bruce Sanders, primary manager of the Greencastle Community Garden

Remember when we introduced you to the Greencastle Community Garden, back in 2011?  This is what it looked like then:

Today, this is our community garden:

Clearly, we’ve made a lot of progress in a short period of time. 

This year, we had an incredible 27 plots available for renting – and that includes 8 new ones, thanks to the hard work of DePauw Bonner Scholar Michael Verbeek.  All of the plots were claimed for 2013 and most of the owners from last year re-upped; some opted to buy more than one.  We even have a waiting list for next year!

Coaches and members of the Greencastle High School boys’ soccer team were extremely helpful in the spring, filling in new plots with compost and mulching the areas between the plots.  The City of Greencastle has continued to be a great partner in our efforts, donating the leaves that were used as mulch back in the fall.  Greencastle also provided the picnic table that sits outside the northeast corner of the garden, in the shade.

First-time bloomers this spring included irises that Karen Mortoglio obtained and we planted along the western edge of the garden.  Today, we’re seeing squash, watermelons, beans, snow peas, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and herbs.  One renter has strawberries on their mind.

The garden plots are truly lush today, as the compost has turned into very fertile soil.  Two water barrels are available so people can water their plots as necessary.

All in all, it looks like it is going to be a very bountiful year for the Greencastle Community Garden!