Community Gardens (5)
EJRP is excited to announce that due to high demand in Essex Junction, we will be expanding the community gardens at our West Street Community Garden location. We will be adding 40 new garden plots and will open up these plots to anyone who does not currently have a
garden plot.
The Meadow Terrace Garden is our organic site and is located next to the Center of Technology, Natural Resources Building. The garden plot size is 24’x18’ and planting at this location should be available by May 17. (There is currently a waitlist for these gardens.)
The West Street Garden is location at 111 West Street, on State of Vermont property. The garden plot size is 25’x25’ and planting at this location should be available by May 1.
As a plot holder, you become a member of your garden site community. There are many ways that you can assist the coordinators who provide
leadership at your site. Be sure to contact your garden coordinator to see how you can help.
As a community gardener, you should plan to visit your garden several times a week during the growing season to keep ahead of weeds and to harvest your crops (this would equal out to a minimum of 3-6 hours per week). Sites are open from dawn to dusk and offer opportunities to meet garden neighbors and enjoy the outdoors. Community gardens are a wonderful place to grow food and friendships. So don't delay in registering for a new gardening season.
FEE:
$30 Resident / $50 Non Resident – West Street Community Gardens
$30 Resident / $50 Non Resident – Meadow Terrace Community Gardens
REGISTRATION:
Current community gardeners need to register by February 29 to reserve their plot for 2012.
New resident gardeners can register starting March 1.
New non-resident gardeners can register starting March 15.
Please call EJRP for more details.
Children categories
Gardening Classes (5)
Whether you are a member of our community gardens or you have a garden at your house, these classes are designed to help you get more from your garden. Register for individual classes or register for all 5 and receive a $5 discount.
View items...Backyard Composting: Demonstration
This presentation and demonstration of backyard composting will show how easy it is to set up a home composting system. Converting kitchen and yard waste into clean compost is recycling at its finest! The participant will learn the importance of keeping these organic materials out of the landfill with the added benefit of growing healthy garden flowers, vegetables, and house plants. Some of the topics covered:
• Why Compost?
• What materials DO and DO NOT go into the compost pile
• How large should the composting pile be?
• Are all compost bins created equal?
• What are the green and the brown layers?
• The difference between HOT and COLD composting
• Common concerns about composting
Questions are encouraged and further discussion is available after the demonstration. Handouts will also be available including a recipe for COMPOST TEA.
DATE Thursday, June 14
TIME 7:00PM
PLACE Maple Street Recreation Center
FEE $5 residents/$10 non-residents
CODE 33100E
Soil Health, Garden Pests & Plant Disease
Have you every wondered: “Why are my cucumbers not growing?” or “What are these bugs in my broccoli?” or “Is this late blight??!!” Join us as we explore keeping your soil healthy, identifying good and bad garden bugs, and learning the first signs of plant disease. Time allotted for questions/discussion. This is a unique opportunity to learn from fellow gardeners and share experiences.
DATE Thursday, April 19
TIME 7:00PM
PLACE Maple Street Recreation Center
FEE $5 residents/$10 non-residents
CODE 33100D
Grow Your Own Transplants
This class will show you how to grow transplants from seeds for tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, onions, zucchini, watermelon, winter squash, zinnias, and all of the other vegetables and flowers which can benefit from an indoor start. We will discuss the equipment that is helpful and show you how to do well using items you already have. Growing your own transplants allows you to have the varieties you want and can save you money. The instructor, Margaret Lowe, gardens at her home in Vergennes and sells produce at the Vergennes Farmers Market.
DATE Thursday, March 15
TIME 7:00PM
PLACE Maple Street Recreation Center
FEE $5 residents/$10 non-residents
CODE 33100C
Grow More Food At Home
Learn the simple ways of square foot gardening and basic gardening tips on when and where to plant with Chef Courtney Contos. Contos' vegetable garden was the only all vegetable garden featured in the 2011 Essex Garden Tour. Ever wonder what to seed and what to transplant? Participants will learn techniques for growing more, planting early and weeding less, while nurturing soil life.
DATE Thursday, February 16
TIME 7:00PM
PLACE Maple Street Recreation Center
FEE $5 residents/$10 non-residents
CODE 33100B
Breaking Ground: Planning Your Vegetable Garden
This presentation is designed for beginners as well as more experienced gardeners wanting to explore new ideas. It’s an overview of the steps necessary for an enjoyable and successful gardening season. The points that will be covered:
• Site and soil preparation
• Journaling and layout
• Companion planting
• Crop rotation
• Mulching and weed control
• Cleanup
There will be time for questions during and after the presentation. Handouts will be available.
DATE Thursday, January 26
TIME 7:00PM
PLACE Maple Street Recreation Center
FEE $5 residents/$10 non-residents
CODE 33100A