SACG Opens for 10th Growing Season on April 7, 2018

In like a lion and out like a lamb?  Let’s hope that this morning’s rain  means that March will go out like a lamb because the Stoddart Avenue Community Garden is opening for its 10^th growing season in just over five weeks on April 7.  Gardeners who are interested in reserving their own plot to grow their own vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers should complete, sign and return an Application/Agreement along with $10/plot (preferably by check made payable to the Stoddart Avenue Community Garden).  Families in the Stoddart Avenue neighborhood are eligible for a full scholarship if the fee presents a financial hardship.

Gardeners’ participation is subject to the SACG Garden Rules as well as some rules by the City of Columbus (prohibiting, for instance, being in the Garden at night, and bringing alcohol onto Garden property, etc.). Gardeners are also encouraged to donate a portion of their produce to area food pantries and shelters, like Faith Mission, Lutheran Social Services and the Salvation Army.  To date, we have collectively donated over 4,300 pounds.

We will start working at 9:30 a.m. on April 7, 2018.    The more the merrier because many hands make light work. You need not reserve a plot if you would just like to volunteer to help.   Refreshments will be served (and you should feel to bring some yourself to share).

Joining the SACG is not terribly time consuming, but Gardeners should are required to help set out the Garden on Saturday, April 7, 2017 (with a rain/make-up date on Saturday, April 14, 2018) and to close the Garden (on Saturday, November 10, 2018). Gardeners must also volunteer for three chores to perform for one month over the summer (like watering flowers, tending the food pantry plot, pulling weeds in the paths, mowing our lawn, picking up litter, supervising community workers, etc.)     Between the chores and keeping your plot planted, weeded and watered, you should plan on spending on average an hour each week at the Garden during the growing season.



Gardeners may begin planting as soon as the plots are staked out on April 7.   Pepper and eggplant seedlings have already sprouted, and within the next week, kale, cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, herbs and flower seedlings will be started as well.  I always share any extra seedlings with gardeners.

So, if you or someone you know likes to get your hands dirty and grow your own food, you are welcome to join us at the SACG.  Plots will be assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, with preference being given to gardeners from last year who volunteered at the opening and closing work days.   Snooze and you lose.  When the Garden is full, we will put names on a wait-list (and we ALWAYS have people drop out by June).

AND ICYMI, we are raffling off a sweet new Schwinn Signature Series Obit MX bicycle for $1/ticket.  The tickets will be pulled around noon on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at the conclusion of our annual Earth Day work celebration.  You can purchase tickets from me or any other Board member.  More details are available on our website: http://stoddartgarden.blogspot.com/2018/02/sacg-raffles-sweet-schwinn-bike.html.  I hope to

attend next month’s Franklin Park Civic Association meeting to also promote the SACG and sell raffle tickets.