Progress is being made at the garden and there is BIG NEWS on the horizon but first I want to address a concern that was voiced to me at the last meeting of the Riverside Neighborhood Association meeting. 

A member of the community seemed more than a bit surprised and even taken aback that the dues for plots in the Riverside community garden would cost $50 per year, even asking if that’s “really” would they would cost. In case others may have these concerns as well, allow me to give a small break down of what my partner and I have put out to get the garden into its current condition and ready for growing:

>  approx. 21 hours mowing / weed eating (plus gas)
>  approx. $100 in lumber to lay out plots
>  approx. $30 in top soil to amend the existing soil
>  approx. $100 in new tools for the garden
>  approx. $35 to rent a truck to haul these items

And this does not even address the water on-site yet.  I am working this week to have that turned on which will have to pay $95 to get that established.  Anyone who lives here knows that water bills are not going to be cheap with more than a dozen people watering their plots on a regular basis, either.

I hope this helps garden members and others to better understand the costs involved in setting this garden up and understands that I am not here to take anyone’s money.

Now, the Progress…
On Saturday May 23rd we dodged the rain, purchased the (untreated) lumber and staked out the initial plots (see the photo above).  I also purchased some top soil to amend the existing earth that understandably has a high clay content.

In order to further break down the soil in our plots I bought the materials to build a 2×2 sifting box – a lumber frame with 1/4” metal mesh on the bottom – to remove rocks, plastic, glass, roots and anything else that shouldn’t be in our gardens.  If anyone has a circular saw it would be helpful as I need to cut an 8"’ piece of lumber into four two foot pieces to put it together.

I also have to throw in here that thanks to an unexpected gift from my better half I am now the proud owner of a small gas-powered tiller so we will be able to continue to expand the garden beyond the initial plots (as I had hoped) without having to dig new plots by hand.

Finally, the Big News…
I am proud to announce the official Grand Opening of the Riverside Community Garden will be taking place on Saturday, June 6, 2009!  Garden members will  be receiving a formal announcement via email in the next couple of days but in the meantime mark your calendars everyone and plan to stop by the gardens on June 6th!