We have a pretty good idea about what we want to plant...what we may be successful growing. But we also wanted to know what our neighbors would like us to grow. So we polled patrons of the Scarborough Food Pantry to tell us which veggies were their family's favorites, and which were often too expensive to buy. Many asked for tomatoes, beets, and green beans. Also lettuces and salad greens, herbs, and carrots. The Steering Committee is developing a plan for planting sequential, dense plantings and to focus on easy to grow and high yield vegetables and herbs for the first season. Crops that most closely fit the bill include: peas, lettuces, green and yellow beans, summer and fall squashes, tomatoes and peppers, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, spring onions, herbs (basil, thyme, parsley, cilantro, oregano, dill, etc.), as well as beets and carrots.
Community partners convened a steering committee meeting on November 4th to talk about the role and function of the leadership team. It was decided that the committee provides oversight and general guidance for the garden, and is responsible for securing support, funding, and talent. Additionally communications/marketing will be essential to help sustain the garden. Meetings will continue monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of the month until planting begins, and thereafter as needed. A garden coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the scheduling of gardeners, including planting, weeding, and harvesting volunteers. Next Meeting: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2015 (2nd Tuesday of the month.) at St. Nick’s in Scarborough.
Steering Committee Members: Scott Ducott (chair), Jane Ducott (St. Nick's), Elizabeth Richter (Scarborough Garden Club), Steffi Cox (Project GRACE), Kathy Sparda (St. Max), Roger Doiron (KGI), Pam Hillman, Bill Nixon, ChrisTaylor. We sent a soil sample to the University of Maine and the results are in! Our soil is in pretty good shape, with no major issues. Some nourishment of the soil is needed, and can be easily accomplished by an application of compost, organic matter, and greensand. Ideally we'll amend the soil in the Fall so that it has time to incorporate into the garden before planting in the Spring. We're hosting a Community Interest Meeting on Sunday, September 28th at St. Nick's (11:00 a.m. at 350 US Route One). All are welcome We'll take a look at our plans, share our progress to date, ask for your ideas, and start putting hands and hearts to work to make the garden ready to grow for the 2015 growing season. Please let us know you'll attend (a head count helps us plan). RSVP online.
We took a look at the beautiful, and inspiring, Yarmouth Community Garden! They have been around for a few years, and are now growing more than 4,000 pounds of organic produce for their community. Take a look!
Garden leaders and neighborhood partners have been quietly sowing the seeds for a shared garden to grow healthy produce for the Scarborough Food Pantry and our neighbors struggling to put food on the table. St. Nicholas Episcopal Church will provide the space and water; Scarborough Garden Club and gardeners from all over town will help us plant and harvest; Kitchen Gardeners International and Cumberland County Master Gardeners are also stepping forward with advice and expertise; and Project GRACE will provide project support. Grant applications are being written, supporters and friends are being asked for gifts to cover start-up expenses like fencing and irrigation, and talent is being asked to lend a hand. Stay tuned for more news... or contact us to get involved!
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