Garden ideas growing
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — As spring finally starts to arrive here in Aroostook County, many people’s thoughts turn to the rebirth of living, growing plants. After a long, brutally cold white winter, who doesn’t feel a rush of joy at the first signs of new grass or flowers?
The idea of starting your own garden can be an enticing and exciting one this time of year, but it can also be a little intimidating. Maybe you would like to provide low-cost, fresh, healthy food choices for your family but are not sure how to get started. What to plant, when do you start, how to ensure your seeds grow, where to put your garden, and what to do with the produce if it does grow — all are daunting questions. This is where the Presque Isle Community Garden can help.
The Presque Isle Community Garden is a brand new project started this year by the Presque Isle Clover Kids 4-H Club, working with the Presque Isle Housing Authority and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The garden will be located at 35 Birch St. next to the Birch Street Community Center.
“The garden area will be about 40-feet by 70-feet, broken down into 4-foot by 8-foot plots. People can sign up for as many plots as they want and can grown whatever they would like,” said Christa Galipeau, leader of the 4-H club.
The land where the garden is located belongs to the Presque Isle Housing Authority, with officials generously donating the use of it for the garden. Residents living in the PIHA housing will be able to get one plot at no charge. The regular charge for a plot is $20 for the whole growing season and everyone is invited to take part.
In addition to providing space for gardens, the project is also working to provide people with the knowledge and skills to ensure a successful garden. Monthly seminars are being held to cover some basic garden skills as well as to explore low cost and sustainable gardening topics. The next seminar will be May 16 at 10 a.m. at the Birch Street Community Center and will feature a master gardener guest speaker, how to build your own compost bin from pallets and how to build a pallet garden. These free seminars are open to everyone and offer a great opportunity to learn more about gardening.
Garden groundbreaking will take place as soon as the ground is ready — around the first of May.
“We currently have about 18 plots signed up for and are hoping to get them all filled,” she said. “All the gardeners are very excited to get started. We are looking forward to creating not only a community garden but a community of gardeners to share their knowledge and support each other.”
FMI, visit the Presque Isle Community Garden Facebook page, email Galipeau at galipeauchrista@gmail.com or call 764-0998.
