Community garden receives GPCF grant
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POLSON — Green beans, tomatoes, marigolds and sprawling squash and pumpkin plants are just some of the flowers and vegetables growing contentedly behind the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the community garden.
According to Carla Buffington, Community Garden Coordinator, the garden recently received a $1,500 grant from the Greater Polson Community Foundation, and the money will be used to build a deer fence. Last year deer were a big problem for the community gardeners during late summer and early fall.
Next year the organic community garden will double in size to 42 plots, with six plots dedicated to the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry and Soup’s On, Buffington noted. She also said they plan a strawberry bed for next year and maybe also raspberries.
Individuals can rent a 10 by 12 foot plot for $25 plus a $10 refundable deposit after clean up in the fall. Organizations or businesses can rent two plots for $40 or three for $50.
Non-profit organizations pay only a $25 deposit.
“If they do a good job cleaning up, they aren’t out any rental fee,” Buffington added.
Individual gardeners are responsible for preparing their plot, weeding, watering, harvesting and cleanup. Everybody assists with watering the community plots. During the summer, Buffington said there were enough volunteers that plot holders only had to come in to water for two weeks.
“Our main stipulation is that the gardening needs to be organic,” Buffington explained.
In the spring community gardeners used a method called no-dig gardening that involved using straw, compost and blood and bone meal for the community plots, and they are pleased with the results.
So far the garden has yielded 400 pounds of food for the food bank and Soup’s On, Buffington said. On Sept. 16, 12 Cub Scouts harvested 142 pounds of produce in only 40 minutes.
“We will schedule a clean-up day later in the fall to be determined by decreased production and weather, but will continue to harvest as needed until then,” Buffington said.
