WOOLWICH TWP. — Attention all gardeners! Woolwich Township has just announced its plans for the 2017 Community Garden season and will be accepting applications during the month of March.
Now entering its tenth season, the Community Garden will once again be offered to allow residents of Woolwich Township and Swedesboro (as well as other communities) the opportunity to have their own “mini-farm”. The 2016 season saw the garden increase to 48 plots from 44 plots in 2015. The number of available plots for the 2017 season will expand to 52.
Although the size of a full garden plot is 20 foot by 30 foot, the township will once again offer
gardeners the choice of a 20 foot by 15 foot half-plot. Last season saw a total of 40 full plots and
16 half-plots spread out over 56 families.
The cost for a garden will remain at $30 for a full plot and $15 for a half-plot for the season. This fee also covers the cost to have the entire community garden area initially tilled and prepared through the community service efforts of Joe Maugeri, one of our local farmers.
In addition, all gardeners have use of a 10 foot by 20 foot storage shed and the convenience of running water at no additional cost.
Last season saw the creation of a Community Garden Steering Committee consisting of
volunteer veteran gardeners. The primary goals of this committee is to facilitate communication between gardeners, to welcome interesting ideas, and to coordinate and encourage participation in activities and events to make the gardening experience the best that it can be.
In support of these objectives, a monthly e-newsletter “Watering Can” was also created and managed by a volunteer group of gardeners. Thanks to an Eagle Scout Project, a gathering area was created consisting of a picnic table and Information Board where gardeners can take a few moments to relax and socialize.
New this season will be a Children’s Garden, open to those between the ages of 10 to
- Participation will be limited to the first 12 children who sign up.
While parents of the children are not required to have a garden plot, they must fill out the application and be present when the children are gardening. In addition, the Garden Coordinator and other veteran gardeners will act as mentors to the children to enrich their gardening
experience.
If you are interested in signing up for the Community Garden, please contact the
Woolwich Township Clerk at (856) 467-2666, extension 3101, or simply stop by the
township clerk’s office in the Municipal Building to fill out an application. Returning
participants from last season from Woolwich Township and Swedesboro have until
March 25 to register in order to retain the same plot. After that date, new gardeners
from Woolwich and Swedesboro have until April 1 to register before any remaining
plots are open to the residents of other communities.
And remember that “ Community gardens are spaces where individuals come together to grow food, build relationships, and celebrate their communities”.
