March 6 - Plattsburgh. Still digging at the junkyard on Saturday? I wonder where is the spring?
Any seasoned gardener knows this is just around the corner.
New garden members, returning gardeners, and others interested in leasing land in the Plattsburgh Community Garden should apply for land and/or land interest as soon as possible.
Melissa L Garden Group. Operates a 60-plot garden in Penfield Park and a 14-plot garden in the Plattsburgh Housing Authority on South Catherine Street.
Penfield's fee is $35 per plot, including water, compost and access to a caring community of specialized organic gardening tools.
PHA gardeners charge $25 for the same service. The garden is free for PHA residents.
Experienced gardeners and beginners are welcome. Families, clubs and organizations can take part.
"Our best hope is usually to get a good influx of new growers," said Jack Downs, co-chair of the Plattsburgh Community Garden Group.
“There is always turnover and we always have room for new growers. And we all had a great season. Otherwise, as far as we know, it was a relatively normal season. Applications are possible from now until our kick-off meeting.
Starting on April 15th
Awards will be presented during the group's annual kick-off meeting on Saturday, April 15 at 10:00 a.m. at the Plattsburgh Public Library at 19 Oak St.
"This is when people should ask their questions and/or they can just come to this meeting," Downes said.
“At the beginning of this meeting, they can get an application and fill it out right there. This is for regular gardeners and new gardeners. If returning gardeners apply and then pay the fee they can have their plot refunded, if new gardeners bring their supplies and pay their taxes by that date they have a very good chance of getting a plot.
“Even if we sometimes fill up, we almost always have room for people who want to move. Sometimes we have people trying to get tickets later and we can't give them away because we're already full."
In recent years, the demand for vegetable gardens has increased.
"But we could meet every year," Downs said.
"It worked pretty well. I don't know what this year will bring as we overcome Covid. It seems that Covid has made gardening popular or attractive to many people.”
New land?
In the spring, the Plattsburgh Community Garden Group holds an annual City Street Drive to raise funds.
"The city has a proposal that South Acres Park needs a community garden," Downs said.
"At the moment there are no concrete plans. They asked us to take part. We negotiate with them. I don't know if it will be implemented, but there is a possibility. Future Community Garden at South Acres Park.
“This will be in addition to our garden at Penfield Park. If people have heard about it, yes, it will be discussed. We're showing cautious interest and will see what happens."
Peasant Almanac
The Farmer's Almanac predicts spring 2023 to be a "wet, cool spring."
This gives gardeners more time to plan their plots and order seeds online.
"We got together a little earlier than usual because we definitely felt like the season had gotten a little longer," Downs said.
“Although on April 15, of course, planting is early. People have a couple of weeks to meet up. So people will plant something nearby. You can plant. Some people plant snow peas while there is still frost on the ground, plantings don't last long."
Email: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com
Twitter @Robin Cowdell
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