By JASON GRAVES
Horticulture extension agent
Growing a vegetable garden on one of the Salina Community Garden plots definitely has many benefits. For many people one of the biggest benefits is simply more space. Many city backyards may have shade trees or other obstacles that make growing a nice garden difficult. In these situations, a community garden plot may offer the perfect solution.
Fortunately, here in Salina we have community gardens that offer great gardening opportunities for many residents. Each year the City of Salina and K-State Research and Extension-Central Kansas District sponsor three community gardens throughout the city that make garden plots available to over 100 local families. Every year, these families benefit from better tasting, more nutritious food, good exercise, and the camaraderie of community gardening.
Each garden plot has access to water and hoses are provided. Material such as straw or wood chips to mulch with is also provided (as it is available) as are wheelbarrows with which to move the mulch or other gardening materials. Gardeners themselves are responsible for all other tools and gardening supplies to care for their plot.
The largest of the Salina Community Garden sites is at the former Stimmel Elementary School. There are 64 garden plots at the Stimmel School site - each about 600 sq. ft. in size - and many are still available. Other garden sites include the Carver Center Community Garden and the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank Community Garden. If you would like to use a community garden plot, come into the K-State Research & Extension office to sign up. Available plots are first-come, first-served.
To check on availability, you can also call the Extension office at 785-309-5850. The extension office is located on the K-State Salina campus in Salina at 2218 Scanlan Avenue in the Extension Center building on the north side of campus. Look for our purple sign.
The share of maintenance costs for each garden is $20 and must be paid when the plot is reserved.
It is always fun to see new folks enjoying the outdoors and making new friends around a common interest. Many even use their gardens for the benefit of others and enjoy sharing the fruit of their labor with other family or friends. Don’t let the lack of space in your backyard be an excuse any longer. You might find that a community garden plot and all its benefits are too good an opportunity to pass up. K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.