Gardeners wanted!
Posted by Mandyrosy (+187) 12 years ago
Community garden now taking applications


By AMANDA BREITBACH RAGSDALE
Miles City Star
Organizers of the Miles City Community Garden are now seeking interested gardeners for the 2011 growing season.
The garden is located on the south end of the Holy Rosary Healthcare campus in a grassy space that includes a pump house with access to water from the irrigation ditch.
The community garden will cover about one acre of the space, divided into approximately 78 individual plots. For a fee of $20, interested individuals and groups can reserve a 10-by-20-foot plot for their own use. Fee waivers are also available for low-income gardeners and non-profit groups interested in participating.
Gardeners must comply with all rules drawn up by garden organizers and sign a liability waiver.
Along with the plot, gardeners will have access to free irrigation water. Organizers' plans also call for a game fence to protect plants and produce from wildlife. Depending on participant demand, the space will be divided into designated organic and non-organic growing areas, with a buffer zone to separate them.
Anyone can reserve space in the garden - from experienced growers to beginners, families, and work or church groups.
"We're really encouraging people to sign up," said Custer County Extension Agent Christina McRae, adding that she plans to work with local 4-H clubs, the R.O.C.K.S. after school program, the Developmental Educational Assistance Program (DEAP), W.I.C. and other groups to help more local children and families get involved.
Members of the committee working to establish the garden have envisioned it as a space where members will share experiences and knowledge with their neighbors. The garden also will offer educational opportunities for students, families and others to learn about gardening and nutrition - an opportunity the group hopes to capitalize on as the project takes shape.
Organizers recently received their first grant to help fund the project through the Holy Rosary Healthcare Mission Fund. Some of the initial priorities will be installing an irrigation system and designating and graveling a parking lot. As more funds become available, the group also plans to build a game fence to protect the space.
A number of local businesses and individuals already have come forward with donations of labor and materials to help accomplish the project. Among them are Holy Rosary Healthcare, Horizon Implement, Keep Miles City Beautiful, local Master Gardeners, the Miles City Garden Club, the Miles Community College heavy equipment program, Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply, Northern Landscaping and Solaris Feeders.
"We are so grateful for their assistance," said McRae, noting that donors to the project will be recognized in some way at the garden site.
Sign-up for plots in this year's garden will run through May 1. Applications are available through the Custer County Extension office. For more information, contact McRae at 874-3370 or [email protected] or Amanda Breitbach Ragsdale at [email protected].
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
Beginning Tuesday, applications and rules will also be available at Great Grains Health Foods, 21 S 9th Street.
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Posted by Buck Showalter (+4459) 12 years ago
Weed joke.
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
Yes Buck, you miscreant, we will need to keep the weeds out but you can join us in a 10'X 20' patch of green growies.

Let's get those applications in by May 1st.

[This message has been edited by Tucker Bolton (4/5/2011)]
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
Applications and rules are now available at Great Grains, located at the corner of Bridge and 9th or can be picked up at the County Extension Office, located in the County Court House.
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Posted by Leejevne (+133) 12 years ago
IM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by Amorette Allison (+12773) 12 years ago
I'd be happy to let anyone grow dope in my garden plot if they cleaned it up for me!

They provide the water at these gardens and that is half the battle! Great chance in my book.
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
Amorette, We hope to get rid of "weeds" not grow weed.

When you register please specify organic or traditional gardening. A buffer will be created between the different disciplines. Spring is upon us so sign up and join us in this exciting community effort.
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Posted by Richard G Flor (+209) 12 years ago
Amorette, I think before you plant your dope you should apply for a Home Occupation Permit...
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
If you are interested in our progress feel free to check out

http://milescitycommunitygarden.20m.com/

We will update as we continue to grow. (Pun intended.)
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
The board is meeting tonight at 6:00. Plans are moving ahead and as well as the site. If you would care to see the location of the garden and its progress, drive by and have a look. It is located just between the Cenex and Holy Rosary, south side of Wilson.

Visit the extension office or pick up an application at Great Grains.
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Posted by Mandyrosy (+187) 12 years ago
The Miles City Community Garden is taking shape!

Sign-ups are going well, but there is still space. Stop by the Custer County Extension office to pick up an application. Plots are $20, but waivers are available for qualified individuals and organizations.

We plan to be open for planting on May 14. There will be an orientation session that afternoon from 1-4 p.m. for gardeners to learn how to operate the water system, etc.

The garden board is now soliciting donations of garden hoses and tools in good condition.

We need:
- hoses
- shovels
- hoes
- rakes
- a garden cart or wheelbarrow
- a garden shed

Please let us know if you have any of these items you would care to donate, and thank you for your support!


Amanda Breitbach Ragsdale
Miles City Community Garden
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Posted by Amorette Allison (+12773) 12 years ago
AVERAGE last date of frost hereabouts is May 15. It might be a good year for peas, radishes, lettuce and spinach but I wouldn't rush out those delicate tomatoes.
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
I bicycled by the garden spot today and our second load of manure has been delivered. It should be spread soon.

Progress is exciting. People are signing up for plots, funding is in place for fencing and irrigation work. We have so many people to thank for this wonderful community project.
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Posted by teen (+91) 12 years ago
Just a reminder that we are hoping to close the plot sign up on May 1st, so hurry and get your plots spoken for...as of April 28th we have about 40 plots committed for and more for the sign-up. If the fee is an issue some people in the community have paid and donated the plots for the cause, so please don't hesitate. Also, if you have tools that are just lying around and you would like to donate, please call and the Extension services. They would be more than happy to come and pick them up! Questions call 874-3370 or [email protected]
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Posted by Mandyrosy (+187) 12 years ago
Thanks to Bob Haynes, Ron Watts and Horizon Implement, the garden has a second layer of manure and has been disced up. Cruise by the site to check out our progress!
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Posted by Tucker Bolton (+3883) 12 years ago
Hurrah! I am anxious to return from our brief vacation, start building up the soil and plant some beefsteak tomatoes.
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Posted by Mandyrosy (+187) 12 years ago
The Miles City Community Garden is almost ready for our first growing season!
We're planning an orientation session next week, on Thursday, May 19, at 5 p.m.
Sounds like the irrigation water in the TY ditch will not be on until the following week at the earliest, but we can at least let people get started in their plots.

In the meantime, we are still soliciting donations of used or new garden hoses and tools in good condition.

We need:
- hoses
- shovels
- hoes
- rakes
- a garden cart or wheelbarrow
- a garden shed

Please call the Custer County Extension office if you have any of these items you would care to donate, 874-3370 or email cmcraemontana.edu.

Thank you for your support!
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