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Community Corner

Community Gardens Spring to Life

Local plots give gardeners chance to use their green thumb.

The push to live healthier lifestyles and eat better, locally grown food has inspired many Fenton area residents to start their own gardens. But some people simply don’t have the space or ideal growing conditions to do it on their own property.  

Over the last few years, community gardens have become popular for a variety of reasons, ranging from health to economic situations to building a greater sense of community. Already, the Fenton Community Garden is full with a waiting list; however, plots are still available at Trinity’s Community Garden in Fenton and nearby at the Holly Heritage Farmstead Community Garden.

“Community gardens provide space where neighbors can come together to grow food for their families,” said Courtney Peruski, garden coordinator at the Fenton Community Gardens located on Oak Park Drive off of North Street. “The people at our garden are a strong, interconnected community of people willing to get their hands dirty for a good cause.”

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Since the Fenton Community Garden began two years ago, it has offered gardeners the chance to use one of their 41 plots to grow their own fresh food and has provided 9,000 pounds of food for the local community (3,000 pounds in 2009 and 6,000 pounds in 2010). Each person who purchases a plot is asked to donate two hours a month to the garden.

“This year we’re building a produce stand to distribute our food on-site,” said Peruski. “It will be open Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings. Our goal is to help people who can’t afford to buy quality produce. We don’t use chemicals (pesticides or herbicides) on our crops. All we ask is that those who are interested show us a Bridge card, food stamp card, WIC information or proof of unemployment.”

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The land being used by the Fenton Community Garden is currently up for sale. Garden organizers are asking the community to show support for the garden in hopes that the city will take it off the market.

“Once our organization achieves status as a 501 (c)(3), we’d like to purchase the land ourselves,” said Peruski. “It’s been an excellent way to educate kids—and the community as a whole— about gardening and composting and provide a way for area residents to grow locally and buy locally.”

Trinity’s Community Garden is a 13-acre property with room to expand. Plots are available (10 x 16 feet and 12 x 20 feet) for $10 each.  Those interested in purchasing a plot must sign a form acknowledging guidelines/rules of courtesy.

“Our garden provides space for local gardeners to grow their own food as well as the opportunity to do something good for the community,” said Carol Swenson, garden coordinator at Trinity’s Community Garden on Main Street in Fenton.

“We donate a portion of our food to the poor and homeless through St. Paul Lutheran’s soup kitchen and use our space as an educational opportunity for youth and teens throughout the spring and summer.”

For more information about reserving a plot, visit Trinity’s Community Garden online.

“Our goal is to provide gardening space for as many as possible,” said Swenson.

 The nearby Holly Heritage Farmstead Community Garden also offers an early start to community gardening. Plots are now available (10 x 25 feet) for $15 per season. Those interested can find a form outlining the rules of the garden on Holly’s Parks and Recreation site.

Sue Julian, volunteer coordinator at the garden on N. Holly Road said most gardeners found plots are more than adequate in size to grow what they wanted She added that the garden allows people who might not otherwise have the chance to garden the opportunity to do so.

"One of the couples who uses our space had a garden in the Thumb-area, but due to health issues cannot travel as far anymore. They needed to a space available to them that was a little closer to home," Julian said. “Taking part in a community garden also connects you with more experienced gardeners who can offer tips on getting the best use of your land.

Julian points out that the earlier you start your garden, the more you will benefit. Assuming land is tillable and not too wet, you can now start planting onions, potatoes, cabbage, peas, broccoli, carrots, beets, kohlrabi, Chinese greens, lettuce, beans and Swiss chard.     

To get an early start on a garden in Holly’s community garden, contact Sue Julian at (248) 634-3513.   

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