We had 16 garden plots and 13 were taken. Several of the gardeners have been harvesting the fruits and vegetables they love. Current and future gardeners will, I hope, remember that as a section of ground is worked and re-worked it starts to improve, eventually getting to a condition that is more receptive to the seeds that are offered to it.
Some gardeners removed upwards of 50 pounds of produce. A sampling of the produce grown was tomatoes, corn, okra, squash, zucchini, beans and tomatillos and even some flowers.
The degree of success varied, but those of us who love working a garden know that degrees of success comes with each plant, each day and each season. The frustrations will always be there, waiting to be rendered meaningless by the rewards of picking that first ripe fruit. One such frustration this season were early morning visitors, deer. I hope we can address this matter before next spring season begins. Until then, netting and most barriers seem to keep the damage to a minimum.
The early plans for my winter garden include experimenting with raised beds. I plan on growing brussel sprouts, parsnips, and other root crops. I have a soft place in my heart for collards, swiss chard and various greens. In many ways the upcoming winter season offers us a chance to grow plants in moderation and ones that can be tended more easily than those that we planted in the spring. Those full-sized plants broke our backs and forced us to eat way too much zucchini. Instead we can grow plants in smaller amounts, having satisfied the need to plant every last inch of available space in the spring.
As October arrives I’ll be in the garden. I hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity and join The Community Gardens of Commerce. Gardening can be a wonderfully solitary or family activity and at the same time bring a community together.
If you are interested, contact City Hall at 706-335-3164 to reserve your plot(s). Garden plots available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call me at 706-870-2119 or email me at communitygardensofcommerce@gmail.com.
Forrest Greene, director, The Community Gardens of Commerce
