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Date: 6/10/2020
ENFIELD, CT – It’s not too late to get in on the benefits of gardening. The Town of Enfield has added 40 new raised beds for a total of 89 community gardening spaces for residents to call their own – at least for the season.
For only $25, interested residents may apply for a spot in one of the three garden areas in town, and are supplied with soil, compost, seeds, starter plants, water, the use of garden tools, educational sessions and videos, a newsletter and a caring community.
This program is made possible by Enfield’s Development Services, the University of Connecticut Master Garden Program, and a grant from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. According to the Enfield Community Garden website, “as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Enfield wanted to give our residents something to look forward to during the summer of 2020. At the April 15th Special Town Council meeting, the council voted to create and fund the construction of two new Community Gardens. The two new gardens will allow many more residents to be able to have their own plot of land. We hope that this will bring the community together in a meaningful way, especially following the pandemic.”
As a result, there are now three locations in town with a Community Garden: the original Thompsonville Community Garden on Main St. with 49 raised beds; the Lamagna Community Garden at 2 Chapel St. with 30 raised beds; and the Enfield Library Community Garden at 104 Middle Rd. with 10 raised beds. Although the Thompsonville garden plots are sold out, there is still space available at the Chapel St. and library locations. Some of the plots will be made available to families in need through the Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen.
Each garden bed is two feet high by four feet wide by 10 feet long, and the starter plants provided include cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cabbage, some herbs and marigolds. Gardeners are also welcome to add their own plants, as long as they are organic and bug-free upon planting. As Laurie Rosner, the Community Gardener, tells people, “plant what you like to eat.”
The educational classes provide information on such topics as why raised beds are preferred by gardeners, how to prepare your garden bed, how to plant the right crop for you, suggestions for vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers that grow well in this area, and how to maintain your bed for a successful harvest. The videos are online, and coordinated by Rosner and Master Gardener Trish Safner, and are recommended for viewing as the season unfolds. Participants may garden at their own convenience any time between sunrise and sunset, seven days a week. No chemical pesticides are allowed in these organic gardens. Rather, Rosner will provide information on pest management and plant disease throughout the season.
A few rules apply as to what cannot be planted, and that includes trees, hemp plants, watermelon and squash (including zucchini) due to the excessive growth area needed. Gardeners are expected to tend their gardens at least twice every week during growing season, and must keep weeds under control.
Due to COVID-19, participants have been assigned a planting day to maintain social distancing, and this includes a garden tour, starter plants and answers to any questions. While in the garden, masks and gardening gloves must be worn.
Planting began on June 3, and the season will continue until Oct. 17, when a clean-up day is scheduled.
The town has demonstrated its commitment to this project by funding the two new gardens, and is looking for ongoing support and maintenance of the 89 plots. Enfield, in conjunction with Sustainable Connecticut, aims to “promote economic well-being while respecting our natural environment.” Through a Community Match Fund, Enfield will receive up to 50 percent funding for the Community Garden Project. Funds donated will be used to purchase necessary supplies for the ongoing maintenance of the gardens. Sustainable Connecticut will match the donations. Check out the Crowd Funding Campaign at https://ioby.org/project/enfield-community-gardens. Get more general information on this program at developmentservices@enfield.org or call 860-253-6385.