SACG Opens for 11th Growing Season on Saturday, April 6, 2019

Daffodil leaves are starting to peek out of the ground, which can only mean one thing.  The Stoddart Avenue Community Garden is gearing up to open for its 11^th growing season.    In like a lion and out like a lamb?  We hope so.  To avoid a repeat of last year when we opened with snow on the ground, we will not start working this year until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 6.  Like last year, we will be joined by a group of energetic OSU students from the First Year Leadership Group to help us spread wood chips on our paths and around our fence lines, pick up litter, etc.   Gardeners and volunteers who cannot make it on April 6 may help us on the morning of Saturday, April 13 when we will also be celebrating Earth Day and transplanting raspberry bushes and planting an apple tree (and hopefully a service berry tree).   On both days, we also hope to make progress and finish our fence straightening project and transplant kale, collard and cabbage seedlings in our neighbor plot.  There will also be compost to turn and a compost bin gate to repair. 


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.  Agreements may be mailed to the SACG at P.O. Box 91106 Columbus, Ohio 43209.

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 4,800 pounds.

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 are required to help set out the Garden for three hours on Saturday, April 6, 2017 starting at 1 p.m. or Saturday, April 13, starting at 9:30 a.m. and to close the Garden on a Saturday in early November. 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, 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.  

When you garden and perform your chores is up to each individual gardener because the only group work days are April 6 and 13 and our Closing Day(s).  Some prefer to garden in the mornings, some in the afternoons, some in the evenings, some during the week, some during weekends, and some pick all of the above.  

Gardeners may begin planting as soon as the plots are staked out on April 6.   The Garden Manager has already started tomato and pepper seedlings (which have already sprouted), to share with the gardeners.  It’s already time to plant peas and potato season is not far behind.  Our Opening Day and Earth Day celebrations are the best (and sometimes only) times to get to know all of the 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 when it starts to get hot and weedy).  We are generally able to supply all of the seeds, seedlings, tools, gloves and water that a gardener could need, but you know what they say about best laid plans . . . .

The SACG Board met last week for its annual organizational meeting.  This will be our first year having running water available in case our rain cisterns run dry or if there are elderly or gardeners with disabilities who find it to difficult or exhausting to walk several hundred feet carrying watering cans.  Until we incur $200 in water bills, the water will be free to gardeners when the cisterns run dry or the gardener is over the age of 70 or provides a doctor’s note showing a need to use our water hydrants.  For the first year at least, all gardeners will still be required to use watering cans, except in special occasions.