Every day the temperature is slowly increasing, tulips are sprouting from the ground, and residents are ready to break out their gardening gear.
While some residents with a green thumb are prepping gardens in their yards, those who may not have a space to plant are using the community garden at the old Blue Hills Farm on Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Road.
According to township manager Maureen Mitchell, this month is the one-year anniversary of the garden’s grand opening. The Mt. Laurel Green Team and a Burlington County Parks Grant helped move the process forward.
“There are now 50 plots,” Mitchell said, adding there are also a few raised handicap accessible plots on the property.
Residents are able to rent a full 20-by-20 foot plot for $40 for the year; a half 20-by-10 foot plot for $20; or a quarter 10-by-10 foot plot for $10.
Mitchell said renters plant a variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers.
Green Team member Rob Golieb said when Mayor Linda Bobo presented the idea, he was on board with creating a community garden.
“The garden is about buying food locally because that is sustainable,” Golieb said.
Sandra Carleton, member of the Green Team, said the organization has been more focused on township “green” projects such as the community garden instead of earning points for Sustainable Jersey certification.
“We hope to do not so much with the garden, but with the entire property,” Carleton said, adding the Green Team is looking to eventually plant a wildflower garden and hoping to bring in master gardeners to help residents tend to their gardens.
Carleton said when the community garden was built last year, she had a 10-by-10 plot, with herbs, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Now she has a larger plot and her planting strategies are getting better.
Carleton said the garden is perfect for her. She said she lives in a townhouse and does not get much light in her backyard. With the community garden, she is able to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs and even flowers.
The garden also helps bring the community together. Carleton said she has met a lot of new people from planting and hopes more will be interested in renting a space.
“It is a sustainable, eco-friendly outlet for individual residents who otherwise would not have the space or support to grow their own garden. It’s also for community involvement and networking,” Mitchell said.
