Newton County Community Gardens

This garden initiative is brand new to our community. It came from several youth groups brainstorming how to support local food banks through volunteerism. Youth worked with the county to identify 2 sites, and with Hands On Newton to coordinate soil preparation and planting. Plans exist for two sites, one raised garden site and on in-ground site. The raised bed site has been established at Turner Lake Recreation Center. Turner Lake is unique in that it is the home for both the Recreation Department (serving primarily youth) and Newton County Senior Services. Youth cleared the area and leveled the raised beds, not only to ensure their proper irrigation, but also to facilitate service of local seniors who frequent the Senior Center. Three outdoor raised gardens have been erected in this area using treated wood with dimensions of 16ft x 4ft x2ft. In these three raised beds: bush beans radishes, carrots, tomatoes, okra, squash, and zucchini will be planted. The second garden is an outdoor, in-ground garden located in what was once an old playground area for the local Head Start Program. This lot is located next door to a food pantry, no more than the length of a sidewalk separates the two. The homeless shelter will be in an adjacent building. This large plot has two pavilions that are in the process of being converted into resting and picnicking areas. Corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, snap beans, squash, zucchini, okra, blueberries, and melons will be planted in this in-ground garden. We will also have sun flowers, zinnias, and marigolds which will be aesthetically pleasing while also helpful in attracting pollinators. The marigolds help deter garden pests. The dimensions of this garden are approximately 80ft x 65ft x 30ft x100 ft. These gardens will continue to foster youth involvement while providing healthy local food to the underserved community.